The Ultimate Guide to Tranexamic Acid for Skin

Tranexamic acid is an ingredient that’s been buzzing around the internet for a few years but is only now starting to reach critical mass. It can be difficult to keep up with every new skincare innovation, so we’re breaking down the benefits of tranexamic acid to help you decide if this ingredient merits a place in your daily routine. (Spoiler alert: Survey says yes.)

What is tranexamic acid?

Tranexamic acid (TXA), which is derived from the amino acid lysine, was originally developed as an oral antifibrinolytic, a class of drugs that helps improve blood clotting. A doctor who was using TXA to treat a patient with a chronic skin rash discovered by accident that it significantly reduced that person’s melasma after three weeks of taking the medication. This led researchers to discover that TXA also helps block skin cells and melanocytes (the cells that produce pigment) from communicating with each other, leading to a reduction in hyperpigmentation. This was great news not only for those with melasma, a diffuse form of pigmentation that’s notoriously difficult to resolve, but anyone who is dealing with skin discoloration or uneven skin tone. While oral TXA is prescription only, topical TXA is not, which is the reason you’re seeing it crop up in more and more skincare products. 

What are the benefits of tranexamic acid?

• Diminishes dark spots  
• Evens skin tone
• Reduces the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Strengthens the moisture barrier 

Helping reduce excess pigmentation is a big one. As previously noted, melasma is very tricky to treat. Hydroquinone, long used as a topical remedy for hyperpigmentation, has since fallen out of favor among dermatologists. For one thing, it can worsen hyperpigmentation in those with darker skin tones. But there have also been a lot of questions about hydroquinone’s overall safety. It’s truly not worth the risk when so many other safe, effective options exist. For example, TXA has been shown, including in a double-blind patient study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, to be as effective as hydroquinone in reducing the appearance of melasma without the harsh side effects, like skin irritation.

But you don’t need to be suffering from melasma to be interested in TXA. It’s also been shown to reduce the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (the marks that can crop up once a pimple goes away), as well as discoloration resulting from UV exposure (which can happen to even the most fastidious of sunscreen appliers). 

One unexpected outcome of topical TXA application: It can help strengthen the skin barrier. We all know how important healthy barrier function is. It keeps moisture inside the skin and irritants out. This is universally an excellent outcome, although those with rosacea are often especially thrilled to find out that reinforcing their skin barrier leads to a reduction in redness and inflammation.

Who should use tranexamic acid?

TXA has been shown to work well with all skin types and tones. However, if you’re pregnant or nursing, as with any new skincare ingredient, you should check with your doctor first, before starting. The key is consistency. In the TXA studies with the excellent outcomes, patients were applying TXA daily for at least two weeks before the improvements became noticeable. 

Where can you find tranexamic acid?

TXA is a friend to all ingredients, so it’s easy to incorporate into your skincare routine. Since part of its power is reducing discoloration due to UV exposure, it makes sense to use a TXA-containing sunscreen, like our new Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50, as a backup defense since no sunscreen can block 100 percent of UV rays.

If you’re looking to reduce the appearance of undereye discoloration, try our Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Lactic Firm & Bright Eye Treatment, which is formulated with a host of ingredients, like vitamin C, that help reduce excess pigmentation, along with TXA. 

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