Your Expert Guide to the Best Tranexamic Acid Serums

The Best Tranexamic Acid Serums for Your Best Glow Ever

1. Most-Concentrated Tranexamic Acid Treatment:

DR. BRANDT SKINCARE Dark Spots No More® Triple Acid Spot Minimizing Concentrate

Stubborn dark spots are no match for this powerful spot minimizer. With a highly concentrated blend of tranexamic acid, azelaic acid derivative, and phytic acid, this serum helps fade the look of all types of spots—whether that be sun spots, age spots, or post-acne scars—leaving us with a glowing complexion. We’re obsessed with this soothing cocktail of ingredients like niacinamide, plankton, and turmeric, which tackled inflammation without irritation. 

2. Best Tranexamic Acid Under-Eye Treatment:

MARY&MAY Tranexamic Acid+ Glutathion Eye Cream

Tranexamic acid may not be the first solution that comes to mind for dark circles, but this eye cream will make you a true believer. Packed with tranexamic acid and glutathione—a blend known for its antioxidant and brightening properties—this eye cream helped illuminate our under eyes and even out our skin tone, allowing us to wave those dark circles goodbye. Plus, this cream’s dose of vitamin C helps boost collagen production, which can leave your under eyes looking rejuvenated and radiant. 

3. Best Tranexamic Acid-Infused Pimple Patch:

HERO COSMETICS Micropoint for Dark Spots

Treating dark spots has never been easier than with these micropoint patches. We love throwing one (or two or three) of these on after a breakout leaves us with scars or redness. The perfect post-pimple solution, each one of these patches features dissolving micropoints—173 to be exact—to target its blend of vitamin C and tranexamic acids directly into your skin. Their translucent look makes them easy to rock while running your errands too, so you can treat your dark spots on your own time. 

4. Best Clean Tranexamic Acid Treatment:

ONEKIND Hyperdrops Complexion Enhancing Serum

Want a glow that’s good for you and the planet? Look no further than this skin-repairing serum, which uses tranexamic acid to fade discoloration and scars. We loved how light this serum felt on our skin, plus the subtle shimmer it left behind. Made with a special HydraCactus Complex—which combines desert date oil and cactus stem extract—this treatment calms irritation and evens skin tone. We found it especially helpful in tackling facial redness, with our skin looking noticeably less irritated with continued use. 

5. Best Tranexamic Acid Serum for Sun-Damaged Skin:

SONÄGE SKINCARE Opaleze Brightening Serum

Infused with 5% tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and ayurvedic brightener manjistha, this formula is designed to even out skin tone and fade even the most stubborn of hyperpigmentation. “The dark sun damage on my cheeks and nose have really begun to disappear,” writes one IPSY reviewer. “I'm shocked and amazed—in a good way—and will continue using this product for sure!” If you’re looking to transform your own complexion, reach for this hydroquinone-free formula, which is suitable for all skin types. 

6. Best Tranexamic Acid-Retinol Serum:

SELFLESS BY HYRAM Retinol & Rainbow Algae Repair Serum

This treatment combines the best of both worlds when it comes to smoothing and brightening skin. While retinol can be tough on sensitive skin, we didn’t feel a stinging sensation when applying this product—probably thanks to its soothing hydration from squalane. We also saw amazing results from this mixture of rainbow algae and tranexamic acid, which helped address our dark spots and minimized our pores and fine lines. Need we say more?

7. Best Tranexamic Acid Under-Eye Patches:

TOPICALS Faded Under Eye Brightening & Clearing Eye Masks

You’ve probably already heard about TOPICALS thanks to its cult following, but if not, let these eye masks be your introduction. Formulated with caffeine, tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and arbutin (a plant extract that helps fade the look of excess pigmentation), these hydrogel masks help fade the look of dark circles while also creating a cooling sensation that wakes up your skin. “These really help with hydrating and plumping my under eyes, as well as significantly brightening dark circles,” writes one IPSY reviewer. We couldn’t agree more—plus, their cute pink pattern makes for a great selfie moment. 

8. Best Rapid Tranexamic Acid Serum:

MURAD Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum

Skincare results rarely come overnight, but this dark spot correcting serum really makes an argument for rapid treatment. Patented resorcinol technology helps promote surface cell turnover, leaving you with brighter, more even skin. We noticed a visible difference in the intensity of our dark spots after using this serum for just a few nights, and we love that this formula doesn’t just target your existing hyperpigmentation, but helps prevent the look of new ones too. It’s a win-win. 

9. Best Tranexamic Acid + Vitamin C Serum:

BLISS Pro Multi C Serum

What’s great about tranexamic acid is that it can be used with other brightening agents. This serum packs a punch with clinical-grade vitamin C, which minimizes the look of skin discoloration for a noticeably brighter complexion. We loved how glowy and even-toned this formula left our skin.  

10. Best Treatment Serum for Acne-Prone Skin:

GOOD MOLECULES Discoloration Correcting Serum

Courtesy of GOOD MOLECULES

With 3% tranexamic acid, this serum quickly penetrates the skin’s barrier to help prevent and correct discoloration—but its benefits don’t stop there. Another key ingredient of this serum is niacinamide, which helps to soothe acne and any hyperpigmentation caused by acne. This is a great option for anyone looking to battle breakouts and any scarring that comes with. 

Tranexamic Acid FAQs

What Is Tranexamic Acid?

OK, so what exactly is tranexamic acid? While it has “acid” in its name, it doesn’t have the same exfoliating properties as other acids, like glycolic or salicylic acids, that you might be familiar with. It’s not a chemical exfoliator, and instead is a modified form of lysine, an amino acid. That makes it a powerful yet gentle tool when it comes to balancing out skin tone. 

According to Dr. Adel, tranexamic acid was originally used for medical purposes—namely to help prevent blood clots and excessive bleeding—and its skin benefits were discovered as a coincidence. “[In skincare], tranexamic acid is used for its brightening effects, improving discoloration and melasma,” Dr. Adel tells us. 

What Are the Benefits of Using Tranexamic Acid?

Outside of its medical use, tranexamic acid is primarily used to brighten skin, addressing stubborn discoloration brought on by hyperpigmentation and melasma—a skin condition, seen primarily in women, which causes brown spots on the face due to sun or hormonal changes. Topical tranexamic acid is considered the first treatment for such skin conditions, although it can help with much more. 

“Tranexamic acid blocks the overproduction of melanin, which is responsible for brown pigment in skin,” says Dr. Adel. “It inhibits interactions between melanocytes [the skin cells that produce melanin] and keratinocytes [cells that provide skin structure], making any dark spots less pigmented.” In layman's terms, this means you could end up with clearer, more radiant skin. 

Which Skin Types Are Suitable for Tranexamic Acid?

Unlike more aggressive exfoliators like retinol, tranexamic acid is safe for all skin types and is especially useful for anyone with an uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation. Its anti-inflammatory effects help calm and soothe skin, making it great for people with sensitive or reactive skin. “It can also help fade acne scars and post-inflammatory erythema left over from healed blemishes,” Dr. Adel adds. It’s also safe to use long-term, and is especially great for those with dark skin tones, since it can even out skin without creating a lightening halo effect. 

Which Ingredients Can Be Used With Tranexamic Acid?

One of the best parts about tranexamic acid is that it’s safe to use with most skincare ingredients in your routine. Dr. Adel recommends using it alongside sun protection (which, let’s be real, we should be applying everyday anyway). “Combining tranexamic acid with other brightening agents like vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol, and retinoids may improve its results,” she adds. With that being said, try to avoid using tranexamic acid with alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids, as this can leave your skin irritated from too much exfoliation.