The Best Ingredients for Brightening Skin Tone
Beyond Vitamin C: The Best Skin-Brightening Ingredients on the Market
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For skin discoloration such as melasma, hyperpigmentation, and acne scarring, tranexamic acid is a great ingredient to incorporate into your routine. Tranexamic acid's skin-lightening properties were discovered by accident while the ingredient was being used to treat another medical condition, explained Dr. Imahiyerobo-Ip. "Although its mechanism of action is not completely understood, it is believed that it prevents UV radiation-induced pigment production."
"Generally, tranexamic acid is safe for all skin types," said Dr. Nussbaum. "Ideally, tranexamic acid would be applied twice a day, but some suggest starting with one application per day to see how it reacts with your skin." For those with sensitive skin or eczema, do a patch test on the inside of your wrist to be sure it doesn't cause irritation.
The SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defence Serum ($98) may be a little pricy but you can't beat the results.