Many skincare actives can help brighten dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. You may have heard of/tried ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid, glycolic acid , and niacinamide. But have you ever heard of tranexamic acid?
Tranexamic acid is an amino acid derivative and a relatively newer ingredient in skin care products. It’s already becoming a cult favorite for its ability to brighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
There are many tranexamic acid skincare products on the market, so I purchased several and tried them to find the best tranexamic acid serums that actually work.
These 10 serums are effective, and most are budget-friendly. Let’s get right to the list!
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These serums pair tranexamic acid with other brightening ingredients to get the most bang for your buck. The serums made my list by getting results without costing an arm and a leg.
You’ll notice many of the serums in this post are formulated with tranexamic acid AND several other brightening actives, so it can be argued that the best tranexamic acid serum will combine multiple active ingredients to target hyperpigmentation and discoloration.
Here are my top 10 picks for the best tranexamic acid serums:
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% is a tranexamic acid serum that uses 5% tranexamic acid and is enriched with niacinamide, kojic acid, and licorice root extract to brighten the skin, improve uneven skin tone, and diminish the appearance of discoloration and patchy skin.
This gentle serum is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. If you have oily skin, I think it’s the better choice of the two Naturium products in this post.
Paula’s Choice Discoloration Repair Serum is formulated to reduce the look of brown and gray patches on your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.
It targets uneven skin tone and helps improve that unnatural mask-like appearance which can be hard to treat.
The serum also helps with sun spots from excess sun exposure and post-acne scars and marks that are pink-to-red or tan-to-brown discoloration that occurs after pimples and breakouts have healed.
This serum uses multiple brightening actives to improve discoloration:
As you can see, Paula’s Choice uses a combination of multiple active ingredients to brighten the skin and improve your overall complexion.
You are getting not only the brightening benefits of these actives but also anti-aging benefits as well.
This is the priciest serum of this post, but keep in mind that it offers both anti-aging and brightening benefits.
TIP: You may be tempted to start using these tranexamic acid products daily, but start with a few times a week, and then as your skin adjusts, you can build up to daily or twice a day, depending on the product instructions.
Good Molecules Discoloration Correction Serum is a brightening serum that uses 3% cetyl tranexamate mesylate, a derivative of tranexamic acid, that is non-irritating and works to improve skin discoloration.
This pigment correcting serum is a best-seller for Good Molecules because it is so affordable and effective for brightening the skin, targeting hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and uneven skin tone.
This clinical study found that cetyl tranexamate mesylate had skin lightening benefits, was well-tolerated, and helped to reduce dark spots and redness and improve skin tone.
A 4% concentration of niacinamide improves skin texture and tone, dullness, and the look of enlarged pores. Niacinamide is excellent for oily skin as it can help regulate sebum production.
This 10-ingredient serum is suitable for all skin types and is lightweight and non-sticky on the skin. This product is also fragrance-free, which is great for those with sensitive skin.
The Inkey List Tranexamic Serum (formerly called The Inkey List Tranexamic Night Treatment as shown above) is a 2% tranexamic acid serum formulated to reduce the look of hyperpigmentation and pesky discoloration, uneven skin tone, and acne scars.
This brightening serum also contains 2% ascorbyl glucoside, which is a vitamin C derivative that works to brighten the skin just like pure vitamin C ( ascorbic acid ) but is more stable.
It not only brightens the skin but also offers antioxidant benefits and helps improve collagen production for firmer, more youthful-looking skin.
The Inkey List also includes 2% Acai berry extract to help even skin tone.
Suitable for all skin types, this treatment is ideal for dull, discolored skin. The serum has an opaque gel texture that is non-sticky.
The Inkey List notes that it can be used on your body, but be sure to patch test it before applying it to the affected area.
While previously called a “night treatment,” you can use this serum in both your morning and evening skincare routines.
If you choose to use a moisturizer with this serum, The Inkey List recommends waiting at least 30 minutes before applying your moisturizer.
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Facetheory Exaglow Serum uses 5% tranexamic acid to lighten pigmentation, dark spots, melasma, and age spots, and smooth rough areas of your skin for a more even-looking skin tone.
In addition to tranexamic acid, the serum contains several additional brightening actives to support the effects of tranexamic acid:
Niacinamide , a form of vitamin B3, works to brighten the skin, improve uneven skin tone, and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Lactic acid , an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), helps to exfoliate dead skin cells, brighten the skin, and improve fine lines.
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a vitamin C derivative, brightens the complexion and provides antioxidant protection against free radicals.
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, also known as licorice root extract, is an anti-inflammatory that helps to brighten the skin and improve uneven skin tone.
Sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid, helps to hydrate the skin and keep it plump and supple.
NOTE: Facetheory notes it is effective after 8 weeks of continued use. So when you’ve been using it for a few weeks and have yet to see results, be sure to continue using it for 2 months before evaluating its effectiveness.
Naturium Tranexamic Acid Brightening Treatment 5% is an emulsion that combines 5% tranexamic acid with encapsulated kojic acid, alpha arbutin, and acetyl glucosamine to target dark spots and uneven skin tone and brighten the complexion.
In addition to tranexamic acid, encapsulated and free kojic acid work together to brighten the skin and target dark spots.
Alpha arbutin is another active ingredient that inhibits melanin production to brighten the skin and reduce excessive pigmentation and dark spots. It’s a derivative of hydroquinone but does not have the same unwanted side effects.
Acetyl glucosamine is an amino acid sugar and a natural moisturizing factor that helps hydrate the skin while evening out skin tone.
Raspberry seed oil and rosemary leaf extracts provide antioxidant protection against free radicals that cause premature aging.
Allantoin and panthenol help soothe the skin. Squalane helps to lock in moisture and prevent water loss.
All of these actives are suspended in a light, lotion-like emulsion that is easily absorbed by the skin.
This emulsion hydrates and moisturizes the skin on its own or can be applied before your moisturizer, like a serum/treatment, if needed.
This nourishing emulsion is excellent for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
It is suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin. If you have oily skin, you may prefer the lighter serum texture of Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%.
