An ingredient studied in topical products for melasma and uneven pigmentation.
Sources: 1, 2, 3TXA, Trans-4-(aminomethyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Limited evidence
Tranexamic Acid
What it does
Some topical preparations have improved melasma scores in clinical studies. Melasma is recurrent and needs a broader assessment and sun-protection plan.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Good for
- Melasma care under an appropriate plan
- Uneven pigmentation
How to use it
Follow the finished topical product's directions. Seek clinical advice for persistent or changing pigmentation; do not use injectable or oral medicine as an improvised cosmetic.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Who should be careful
Irritation or intolerance is possible. Oral tranexamic acid has a different medical risk assessment; a topical melasma trial does not establish pregnancy, breastfeeding or systemic safety.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Its inhibition of plasminogen-related activity is relevant to proposed pigmentation pathways. A systemic antifibrinolytic mechanism does not establish the effect of every cosmetic serum.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Potential adverse effects
Irritation or contact allergy may occur; stop a product that causes a persistent or marked reaction.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Formulation considerations
Vehicle, delivery and the tested preparation matter. Do not treat oral, injected and topical tranexamic acid as interchangeable exposures.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research (1 studies)
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitLimited evidence
A cited study is entered below. Its formulation, exposure and limitations must be considered before applying the results to another product.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Topical tranexamic acid versus hydroquinone for melasma: randomized study
- Design
- Randomized, single-blind active-comparator study
- Population
- 100 participants with melasma in India
- Studied concentration
- 5% topical tranexamic acid solution versus 3% hydroquinone cream
- Duration
- 12 weeks
Melasma severity scores improved in both groups, without a statistically significant between-group difference in score reduction.
Limitations: Different vehicles, limited blinding and follow-up, and no vehicle-only arm. This does not establish equivalence, cure, oral-treatment safety or a universal cosmetic dose.
Randomised clinical trialSources: 1Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
tranexamic acid
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
No single structure to show yet
A reviewed, unambiguous PubChem compound identifier is needed before a molecular diagram can be displayed.
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| InChIKey | GYDJEQRTZSCIOI-LJGSYFOKSA-N | FDA GSRS: Tranexamic acid substance record (trans-defined, InChIKey GYDJEQRTZSCIOI-LJGSYFOKSA-N) |
| material scope | Tranexamic acid is the trans isomer. An unspecified-stereochemistry PubChem entry is not used to generate a supposedly exact bond image in this draft. | Topical tranexamic acid versus hydroquinone for melasma: randomized study |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (3)
Scientific sources
- Topical tranexamic acid versus hydroquinone for melasma: randomized studyrandomized human trial · 2019
- PubChem: Tranexamic acid reference record and trans-isomer identitychemical identity
- FDA GSRS: Tranexamic acid substance record (trans-defined, InChIKey GYDJEQRTZSCIOI-LJGSYFOKSA-N)chemical identity
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