No matter your skin type or budget, there is a tranexamic acid skincare product out there for brightening your skin! We’ve selected the best tranexamic acid products for skin that are already available online, so you can try this amazing ingredient for yourself.
1. SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense
As with all SkinCeuticals products, this serum is targeted, powerful, and effective. It has actually been proven effective on a wide range of skin discolorations through research, which is not surprising considering it includes 3% tranexamic acid along with other well-known skin brighteners like niacinamide and kojic acid. It’s extremely lightweight, so you can use it no matter your skin type. Buy it from Dermstore!
2. The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Treatment
This vitamin C and tranexamic acid pigment doubles as a moisturizer, saving you time on your routine while brightening the skin. The vitamin C here is a derivative, but it still has a beneficial antioxidant effect, while tranexamic shows up at a respectable 2%. It’s a great choice for all skin types, though those with dry skin might need a second, thicker moisturizer on top. Get it at Sephora!
3. DearSkin Tranex Dear Serum Tranexamic Acid 5%
With 5% tranexamic acid, this serum means business and is a great choice if you want fast results. In addition to a ton of tranexamic acid, it also includes vitamin C, kojic acid, niacinamide, and glycolic acid. The intense ingredients mean that it might not be appropriate for sensitive skin, but they also mean that you can expect serious anti-aging effects, brightening effects, and skin renewal. It’s available on Amazon.
4. Peter Thomas Roth PRO Strength Niacinamide Discoloration Treatment
This gentle, nourishing cream is great for all skin types, including the very sensitive. It combines tranexamic acid with niacinamide for a powerful pigmentation-fading effect without any irritation. It has a creamy but not overly heavy texture, so you can use it instead of a moisturizer or in addition to one. Order it from Sephora!
5. Murad Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel
On the other side of the pendulum, we have this potent exfoliating peel that renews and resurfaces the skin. It exfoliates thoroughly with a blend of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid, and is a great choice for all skin types (as long as you can tolerate chemical exfoliants, of course). By resurfacing the skin first, the tranexamic acid penetrates and works better, so this is a great choice if you don’t already have an exfoliant in your routine. You can find it at Sephora.
6. Dr. Brandt Skincare Dark Spots No More Triple Acid Spot Minimizing Concentrate
If you want targeted skin brightening, this spot treatment is phenomenal. It contains 3% tranexamic acid for its brightening effect, a soothing azelaic acid derivative, and antioxidant phytic acid. You can use it on healing pimples to prevent them from turning into dark marks, as well! Purchase it from Sephora!
7. Peace Out Microneedling Dark Spot Brightening Dots
We’ve written a lot about microneedling, which is a highly effective but complex and slightly dangerous way of renewing and correcting the skin. These patches are embedded with tiny microneedles, so when you pop them on, they pierce the skin lightly, so that that the blend of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and licorice root extract can get in deep and target pigmentation on lower levels of the skin. They’re perfect for eliminating persistent dark spots. They are sold at Sephora.
8. Clé de Peau Beauté Intensive Brightening Mask
If you’re a sheet mask fan, you can also benefit from the brightening effects of tranexamic acid in this format! This gorgeous sheet mask fits over the face perfectly, providing an occlusive effect that ensures all of the ingredients in it are thoroughly absorbed. It features tranexamic acid along with other brighteners, like vitamin C and licorice root extract. It is also extremely hydrating to the skin. You can purchase just one or a whole set of 6 at Nordstrom.
Photos via @bare_minds, Sephora, Nordstrom