Tranexamic acid for skin care: Safety, benefits, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about tranexamic acidMedically reviewed by Bukky Aremu, APRN — By Rachel Ann Tee-Melegrito on May 24, 2022Tranexamic acid, which some people may call TXA, is a medicine doctors often use to help control bleeding. Growing evidence suggests TXA may be a beneficial ingredient to include in skin care products. It may be particularly useful for treating dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and melasma. TXA is a medicine that can help blood to clot. While this is currently the only approved usage for TXA, some evidence suggests it may provide off-label benefits in dermatology. In particular, people may use it to treat melasma, hereditary angioedema, and urticaria. As such, TXA is gaining prominence in the world of skin care, as it may help improve the appearance of the skin and cause fewer potential side effects than comparable substances. In this article, we discuss TXA, including its safety and benefits and which products contain it. Description Share on PinterestFrancesco Sambati/EyeEm/Getty ImagesTXA is a synthetic molecule with a structure similar to lysine, a naturally occurring amino acid. Lysine plays a considerable role in promoting the growth of collagen, which provides the skin with strength and elasticity. Doctors often prescribe TXA as a fibrinolytic agent, or a drug that helps blood to clot. It can help reduce blood loss from:major surgeriestraumapostpartum bleeding Doctors may also give it to individuals with heavy menstrual bleeding. A doctor accidentally discovered the potential of TXA to brighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation by reducing melanin, when using the medication to treat chronic urticaria. Potential skin benefits Research suggests TXA may have a role in dermatology due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-melanin producing properties. When applied to the skin, TXA interferes with a pathway that decreases the interaction between skin cells, or keratinocytes, and melanin-forming cells, or melanocytes. This can help reduce:pigmentationdark spotsuneven skin tone Reduces pigmentation and dark spots According to a 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis, TXA is a promising approach for treating melasma. Similarly, a 2019 study found that 5% TXA is just as effective at treating melasma as 3% hydroquinone. The participants also showed higher satisfaction with TXA than with hydroquinone, the gold standard treatment for hyperpigmentation. Fades sun spots TXA may also be able to fade skin damage due to UV exposure, such as sun spots and age spots. In a 2021 study, a topical derivative of TXA effectively improved the participants’ overall skin tones, redness, inflammation, and dark spots in sun-damaged skin. Strengthens skin barrier The outermost layer of the skin, or the skin barrier, protects the body from germs and toxins, retains moisture, and prevents water loss. Some researchers associate certain skin conditions, such as rosacea, with a damaged skin barrier. The author of a 2016 study notes that improving the skin barrier could decrease rosacea symptoms. Moreover, evidence suggests TXA accelerates skin barrier recovery. The antifibrinolytic property of TXA also makes it beneficial in treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, a type of rosacea that presents with facial flushing and persistent redness. Reduces acne and acne-related discolorations The authors of a 2022 review found that TXA, along with specific topical and laser treatments, is effective in fading post-inflammatory erythema. These are dark, red, pinkish, or purplish skin discolorations that remain after an acne breakout resolves. A 2022 study also notes that 10% TXA can be an effective treatment for reducing acne inflammation and skin redness. Risks and safety Unlike some other brightening agents, TXA is generally safe and well-tolerated by all skin types. However, as with any new skin care ingredient, a person may want to consult a dermatologist before adding a product to their skin care routine. The reported side effects of TXA are mild. A 2014 study reports mild side effects, such as irritation, scaling or flaking, and dryness. A 2022 study also reports redness and scaling as side effects. However, a person may be able to reduce these by applying a moisturizing cream. There is currently not enough research on the safety of TXA for pregnant individuals. A person may also consider performing a patch test on a small skin area before using the product, to ensure safety. Doctors may sometimes prescribe oral TXA to address melasma or heavy menstrual bleeding. Some common adverse effects experts associate with TXA tablets can include:headachemigraineabdominal painback painnasal and sinus issuesmuscle pain and crampingjoint stiffnessanemiafatigue It may not be advisable for people with the following conditions to use TXA:blood clotting disorders, such as thrombosisconvulsionspoor kidney functionpersonal of family history of coagulopathystrokeischemic heart diseasefibrinolytic conditions Individuals taking birth control pills, breastfeeding, or living with acute promyelocytic leukemia or liver and kidney impairment may also need to avoid it. How to use When using a cosmetic product containing TXA, it is advisable to refer to the instructions on the product label. The label should provide a guideline to using the product, including the amount to use, frequency of application, and ways to incorporate it into one’s skin care routine. What products contain it There are several skin care products on the market that may contain TXA. Some examples include:moisturizersserumsmasksconcealers Alternative ingredients for skin care People who may want to avoid this ingredient in skin care products can consider alternatives that may provide similar benefits. This could include:hydroquinoneretinol and tretinoinazelaic acidkojic acidvitamin Cmandelic acidarbutinniacinamide A person may consult a dermatologist to find out which ingredients will be most suitable for their concerns. Summary TXA is an ingredient that may offer many benefits for the skin, including the ability to fade dark spots, discolorations, and melasma. It may also be beneficial for treating acne and improving the skin barrier. The primary use of TXA is as an agent that promotes blood clotting. While its use in dermatology is off-label, research indicates that it is safe for all skin types and has mild side effects, which could include irritation, redness, and flaking. Some people with certain health conditions may be at risk of more severe side effects. They should seek guidance from a healthcare professional before incorporating products that contain TXA into their skin routines. Last medically reviewed on May 24, 2022Dermatology 19 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Addor, F. A. (2016). Skin barrier in rosacea.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4782648/Ali, F. R. (2018). Tranexamic acid.https://dermnetnz.org/topics/tranexamic-acidCharoenwattanayothin, A., et al. (2022). Adjunctive treatment for acne vulgaris by tranexamic acid [Abstract].https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.14972Chauncey, J. M., et al. (2022). Tranexamic acid.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532909/da Silva Souza, I. D., et al. (2021). New topical tranexamic acid derivative for the improvement of hyperpigmentation and inflammation in the sun-damaged skin [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32588531/Ebrahimi, B., et al. (2014). Topical tranexamic acid as a promising treatment for melasma.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4235096/Forbat, E., et al. (2019). The emerging importance of tranexamic acid in dermatology.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ced.14115Jakhar, D., et al. (2020). Topical 10% tranexamic acid for erythematotelangiectatic steroid-induced rosacea [Abstract].https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(20)30047-5/fulltextJanney, M. S., et al. (2019). A randomized controlled study comparing the efficacy of topical 5% tranexamic acid solution versus 3% hydroquinone cream in melasma.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6484568/Kalantari, Y., et al. (2022). Post-acne erythema treatment: A systematic review of the literature [Abstract].https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.14804Kim, K. M., et al. (2022). The uses of tranexamic acid in dermatology: A review.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/dermatology_articles/661/Label: Tranexamic acid tablet. (2021).https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=031bf7c2-3b07-469d-bc5a-31fc6238e25fMedgyesi, B., et al. (2020). Rosacea is characterized by a profoundly diminished skin barrier.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X20311982Nakanishi, S., et al. (2018). Tranexamic acid blocks the thrombin-mediated delay of epidermal permeability barrier recovery induced by the cedar pollen allergen, Cry j1.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-33898-7Sharma, Y. K., et al. (2016). Some other serendipitous discoveries in dermatology.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4763710/Tranexamic acid. (2020).https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tranexamic-acid/Tranexamic acid. (n.d.).https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/724565-TRANEXAMIC_ACID-TRANEXAMIC_ACID-TRANEXAMIC_ACID-TRANEXAMIC_ACID-TRANEXAMIC_ACID-TRANEXAMIC_ACID-TRANEXAMIC_ACID-TRANEXAMIC_ACID-TRANEXAMIC_ACID-TRANEXAMIC_ACID-TRANEXAMIC_ACID/Tranexamic acid in sodium chloride injection safely and effectively. (2019).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/212020lbl.pdfZhang, L., et al. (2018). Tranexamic acid for adults with melasma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2018/1683414/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Bukky Aremu, APRN — By Rachel Ann Tee-Melegrito on May 24, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageThe importance of patch testing skin care products What is a patch test and can people perform them safely at home? Read on to learn how to perform a patch test and identify potential chemical…READ MOREWhat is melasma? Melasma causes dark patches to appear on the skin. It is a pigmentation disorder that is more common in women. 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