Tranexamic acid is a lesser-known skin care ingredient

Acids continue to play a starring role in the skin care realm, thanks to their many complexion-enhancing benefits.
Haven’t come across tranexamic acid yet? This lesser known acid appears to have benefits for treating melasma, hyperpigmentation, and other types of skin discoloration.
Tranexamic acid comes from the amino acid lysine. Traditionally, it’s been used as an oral medication for heavy menstrual bleeding.
Basically, it interrupts pathways in the skin that might otherwise lead to an uneven skin tone.

What are the benefits?

Studies suggest tranexamic acid may offer several skin benefits.

Stronger skin barrier

The skin barrier, or outermost layer of your skin, serves as a shield that helps keep moisture in and toxins and irritants out.
For people living with rosacea, 2020 research suggests this barrier is often damaged to the point where it doesn’t work properly. According to a 2016 reviewTrusted Source, strengthening the skin barrier can significantly reduce rosacea symptoms.
In a small 2015 study, people who applied a 3 percent tranexamic acid treatment to their skin for 2 weeks showed fewer visible signs of rosacea than those who didn’t use this treatment. Researchers linked this reduction in symptoms to improved skin barrier function.

Reduced dark spots and discoloration

“Tranexamic acid for the skin can act as a brightening agent to reduce dark spots and improve hyperpigmentation,” says Anna Guanche, MD, a board certified dermatologist and founder of the Bella Skin Institute. “This is because tranexamic acid interferes with melanin production.”
One 2019 studyTrusted Source explored the benefits of two different treatments for melasma, a common skin condition that can cause brown or gray patches of discoloration on the face. Participants used one of two topical treatments: tranexamic acid or hydroquinone, a lightening agent that bleaches the skin.
After 12 weeks, the severity of melasma decreased by 27 percent in the group using tranexamic acid — about the same as it did for those using hydroquinone. But the participants who used tranexamic acid reported higher satisfaction with their treatment, due to fewer side effects like skin irritation.