Tranexamic Acid: The Next Secret Ingredient for Hyperpigmentation
If you’re looking to achieve dewy, glowing skin, hyperpigmentation might be your number on enemy. We’re always on the lookout for skincare ingredients that can treat dark spots and hyperpigmentation to brighten our complexion and treat uneven skin tone issues.
Enter Tranexamic Acid. It’s one of the beauty industry’s best kept secrets and the next ‘it’ ingredient that everyone will be talking about in 2022. We can’t scroll through our Instagram feed without seeing someone raving about this skincare ingredient.
Whether you deal with melasma, discoloration, or skin pigmentation, tranexamic acid is the hero ingredient you’ve been waiting for. Read on to find out more about this brightening ingredient and how you can incorporate it into your skincare routine.
What is Tranexamic Acid?
Tranexamic acid is an all-in-one brightening ingredient that rejuvenates dull-looking skin, while tackling pigmentation and diminishing dark spots. Although new to the beauty industry, it’s been used in medical treatments for years. It’s a safer alternative to hydroquinone, which is banned in some countries due to its side effects.
This anti-inflammatory ingredient works to prevent tyrosinase synthesis occurring in the melanocytes, while blocking pigment transfer across your skin cells. As well as preventing pigmentation developing, it helps to soothe your skin and boost its natural protective barrier. Tranexamic acid also works to reduce your skin’s sensitivity to UV light to prevent melasma and hyperpigmentation.
Most tranexamic acid products are available with different concentrations, allowing you to tailor the treatment to your needs. The most popular range is between 0.5 and 2.5. If you have sensitive skin, start on the lower potency level and gradually work your way up as your skin adapts to the ingredient.
In serum form, tranexamic acid is suitable to use alongside all your favorite skin brightening ingredients to visibly improve your complexion. It’s versatility and adaptability with other ingredients means that tranexamic acid can allow you to directly target your hyperpigmentation.
You can also use tranexamic acid as an anti-aging ingredient to help tackle age spots to keep your skin looking youthful for as long as possible.
What are the Benefits of using Tranexamic Acid for your skin?
Using tranexamic acid on your skin can work as an effective hyperpigmentation and melasma treatment. It’s suitable to use on all skin types and complexions, while being able to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and pregnancy related melasma.
You can use tranexamic acid to help prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that can be caused by other skincare treatments, such as laser treatments. This multi-tasking ingredient can tackle existing pigmentation, while preventing breakouts.
Tranexamic acid works to decrease your skin’s sensitivity to UV light, working to protect it against free radical damage and premature aging caused by the sun. It’s one reason why the ingredient is trending across Asia, making it the perfect ingredient to incorporate into your morning skincare routine.
You can also use tranexamic acid as an anti-aging ingredient to help tackle age spots to keep your skin looking youthful for as long as possible. As an up-and-coming ingredient, the best way to get your hands on tranexamic acid is through a pigment correcting serum.
If you’re looking to achieve dewy, glowing skin, you can incorporate tranexamic acid alongside other skin brightening ingredients. Vitamin C and topical retinoids can be used alongside your tranexamic acid treatment and layered together to visibly brighten your complexion. We recommend using it on freshly cleansed skin after toning and before using a moisturizer for your morning and night-time routine. Don’t forget your daytime sunscreen!
What are the Side Effects of Tranexamic Acid?
There are currently no known side effects of using tranexamic acid. Like any ingredient, you want to start using it slowly to allow your skin to adapt. If you have sensitive skin, give your skin time to adjust to the new ingredient and cease its use if you notice any irritation. The only known risks are associated with topical tranexamic acid that is consumed orally.
Does Tranexamic Acid Suit All Skin Types
Tranexamic acid is safe for all skin types and ideal for acne-prone skin and for those who suffer from discoloration, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. Those with sensitive skin should introduce tranexamic acid slowly into their skincare routines to avoid any kind of irritation. Due to its lack of registered side effects, tranexamic acid is one ingredient that we can all benefit from using.
What makes tranexamic acid different is that it’s also suitable for all skin tones and complexions, whether you have deeper or porcelain skin. It’s one of the few acid ingredients that is universally suitable. Tranexamic acid is safe to use during pregnancy, making it one of the only acids to fall into this category.