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Brightening

Tranexamic Acid

2026-trend-roundup
SoothingBrightening
INCI: Tranexamic Acid
In short · TL;DR
Category
Brightening
Effect
Melanin production suppression, anti-inflammatory. MHLW-approved quasi-drug active ingredient (brightening/skin roughness prevention)
Concentration
1.5-3% (approved as quasi-drug active ingredient)
Effect
Melanin production suppression, anti-inflammatory. MHLW-approved quasi-drug active ingredient (brightening/skin roughness prevention)
Mechanism
Inhibits plasmin activity → Blocks melanocyte activation signals. Controls upstream UV-induced inflammatory melanin production. Anti-inflammatory effect through anti-plasmin action
Typical concentration
1.5-3% (approved as quasi-drug active ingredient)
Onset
Brightening effect: 8-12 weeks
Cautions
Different mechanisms for oral and topical use. Topical use is mainly for local anti-inflammatory and brightening. High safety
Evidence & references
Ebrahimi & Naeini (2014) "A randomized trial of tranexamic acid for melasma" PubMed
Journal

Related Journal

6
Care Guides by ConcernDark spot and dullness care — the mechanism of melanin and effective ingredientsSkin Longevity SeriesThe Lens of Evidence Concentration — The Line Between "Contains" and "Works"Skin Longevity SeriesGrading the Buzzwords of Brightening SkincareSkin Longevity SeriesThe 4-Week Summer Damage Recovery BlueprintSkin Longevity SeriesBody Care Blind Spots: Why Age Shows on the Neck, Décolletage, and ElbowsSkin Longevity Series[Trend Check] The 2026 Buzz-Ingredient Reckoning
This page is reference information and does not guarantee efficacy. Figures vary by test conditions (in vitro / manufacturer / concentration). It does not indicate pharmaceutical efficacy.
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