Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Why trust us?

Start using it for a glowy complexion stat.

If you struggle at all with hyperpigmentation, chances are you’ve tried products with vitamin C or hydroquinone to reduce discoloration. Not knocking the efficacy of those ingredients here but there’s another player in the skincare game that might also hold the key to a more even complexion: tranexamic acid (or TXA for short). The ingredient is great at targeting hyperigmentation whether it be post-inflammatory or from melasma. The best part: It's very gentle and plays nicely with other ingredients—including actives that can be temperamental to mix with.

“Tranexamic acid is an acid derived from a synthetic form of lysine,” says Dr. Farhaad Riyaz, a board-certified dermatologist and medical advisor for Docent, a prescription skincare brand. “In the skincare arena, it is used topically to treat hyperpigmentation, PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), and melasma (hormonally-induced hyperpigmentation).”

According to Dr. Riyaz, tranexamic acid attacks melanin production by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme that’s responsible for pigmentation. “It does not exfoliate or stimulate collagen, so it is typically combined with other medications,” he adds. Specifically, tranexamic acid's mild enough to be used in conjunction with other brighteners like niacinamide and kojic acid as well as typically well-tolerated when combined with tretinoin and other active ingredients you may be using to target the signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.

If you’re ready to give this new gentle but efficacious ingredient a try, Dr. Riyaz recommends looking for a serum, moisturizer, or peel with tranexamic acid in it. “The ideal concentration of tranexamic acid ranges from 3 to 5 percent, which is the amount proven to be effective in clinical studies,” he says. Typically, you can apply, say, a serum with tranexamic acid in it daily, morning or night, and even up to twice a day, but you should always start slow and patch test new products on your skin in an inconspicuous area first. According to Dr. Riyaz, tranexamic acid is suitable for all skin types and tones, and based on clinical trials, the only real side effects are dryness, irritation, and potentially a little flaking with use.

For best results, keep these other tranexamic acid pointers in mind. “As with other ingredients and treatments for hyperpigmentation, daily use of a sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ is a must to help control hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Riyaz. Also, because topical tranexamic acid hasn’t been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women, you should always consult your dermatologist and obstetrician before beginning use in those cases. tranexamic acid can also be a great alternative for those sensitive to hydroquinone or anyone who wants to take a break from it for whatever reason. Just don’t expect an overnight change with tranexamic acid, and consistency is key. “Most people will notice results with consistent use in eight to 12 weeks,” says Riyaz.

Looking to add a few tranexamic acid-forward products to your beauty toolkit? Consider these five options, depending on your skincare needs and product preferences.

This gel’s a great way to begin experimenting with tranexamic acid, since it’s under $15 and at a 2 percent concentration, meaning it’s relatively mild. Apply a thin layer nightly to target things like dark spots or residual maskne marks, and let this treatment go to work. For best results, skip moisturizer on nights when you use it but consider layering it over an AHA/BHA toner for an extra skin kick.

Have under-eye bags or a case of raccoon eyes, thanks to weekend of over-indulging or just a couple bad nights of sleep? Then the tranexamic acid in celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas’ eye patches will perk up and brighten the delicate skin underneath your peepers. Even better, the algae and chamomile extracts will soothe your skin, while hyaluronic acid adds hydration and moisture. These masks certainly aren’t cheap, but they’ll do the trick with just ten to 15 minutes of wear when you need to look your best or feel refreshed in a flash.

At five percent concentration, Naturium’s tranexamic acid is one of the most potent on the market. Just a few pea-sized drops is all you need nightly to start seeing some results. This blend also packs kojic acid, niacinamide, and the inflammatory licorice root, all of which help with brightening, too.

If you find yourself struggling with acne marks, dark spots, or hyperpigmentation and want a spa-like treatment at home, then Algenist’s splurge-worthy gel correcting peel might be a good choice for you to work into your skin regimen weekly. In addition to a blend of AHAs, BHA, and PHA, phycocyanin, and spirulina-sourced Vitamin C (the product’s namesake ingredient), you’ll also find tranexamic acid. All of these combine to create a treatment that will slowly but surely even out your skin tone, whether you’re dealing with redness, looking to fade discoloration, or a combination of both.

For anyone dealing with melasma or serious sun spots, this serum packs a potent lineup of ingredients, chief of which is tranexamic acid at a three percent concentration. You’ll find it coupled with niacinamide, which helps with dullness, and allantoin, a softening and soothing plant-based compound.