Tranexamic Acid Tranexamic Acid
Tranexamic acid is a synthetic analogue of the amino acid lysine, originally used in medicine as a drug to inhibit bleeding, which has found a breakthrough application in aesthetic dermatology. It works by inhibiting the plasminogen pathway in melanocytes, which is responsible for melanin overproduction after UV exposure. It effectively reduces melasma, chloasma (pregnancy-related discolouration), hormonal and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) — often where other brightening ingredients fail. It also acts anti-inflammatorily, so it works well in caring for skin with broken capillaries and a tendency to redness. Recommended for skin with hard-to-treat discolouration — a key active ingredient in Christina's Illustrious line.
ANTI-MELASMA3% tranexamic acid: 32% reduction in melasma over 12 weeks (Lee et al., 2016, n=37). Efficacy comparable to 4% hydroquinone without adverse effects.
It inhibits plasminogen in keratinocytes, blocking activation of the PAR-2 pathway and UV-induced overproduction of prostaglandins (PGE2) that stimulate melanogenesis. Anti-inflammatory.
