With a host of acids on offer in skincare, it can be both overwhelming and confusing to know what each one does. From the hydrating hero hyaluronic acid to brightening and exfoliating glycolic acid and spot-soothing salicylic acid, there’s a lot to get to grips with. And to make it even more specific, everyone’s skin is different.

Common skin conditions such as acne and the scarring it leaves and sunspots and the effect of sun rays can leave our skin tone uneven. Hyperpigmentation is often the byproduct of common skin conditions, such as acne, which can leave behind discoloured scars, or can be caused by unprotected exposure to the sun. As a result, spots and scars darken as they become more melanated than other parts of your skin.

So, when looking for a product to reduce hyperpigmentation and make your skin tone more even, there’s no doubt you’ll shift your focus to products that work to brighten and exfoliate. For a long time, vitamin C was the ultimate when it came to skin-brightening ingredients. Now, AHAs and BHAs in skincare provide another effective dose of radiance – and the latest acid rising through the ranks: tranexamic acid.

While it sounds daunting, tranexamic acid is a really effective ingredient that can slot into an existing skincare routine. Let us explain how. 

To learn more, Stylist asked Dr Emma Wedgeworth, a British Skin Foundation spokesperson, about what tranexamic acid does for our skin and who can benefit from it.

“Tranexamic acid is a synthetic molecule with a similar structure to the naturally occurring amino acid lysine,” she says. Lysine typically helps with skin’s firmness as it’s required for the production of the protein collagen. 

In skincare, tranexamic acid is primarily used as an ingredient that helps brighten dark spots and improve pigmentation.

“Tranexamic acid slows the production of melanin by inhibiting a pathway known as the plasminogen/plasmin pathway. By doing so, it reduces the interactions between our pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) and skin cells (keratinocytes) and this leads to a reduction in pigmentation, particularly in melasma,” says Dr Wedgeworth.

Tranexamic acid is suitable for most skin types. However, it has particular benefits for those with hyperpigmentation.

Willing to try out tranexamic acid? We’ve curated a list of the best products to add to your skincare arsenal.

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