Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum vs Anua Azelaic Acid 10% + Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum

In a randomized trial of 50 female melasma patients, a topical 5% tranexamic acid cream applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced the Melasma Area and Severity Index by 50.88% (p=0.001).

Human trial · 2025 · 50 people · female melasma patients · Female melasma patients applying a 5% topical tranexamic acid cream twice daily for 12 weeks (compared with an oral tranexamic acid arm). · Small sample (50) and a single-centre study; the trial compared topical against oral tranexamic acid.

PMID 40923777

In a randomized study of 50 women with melasma, topical 3% tranexamic acid serum plus moisturizer reduced periorbital wrinkle grading significantly more than moisturizer alone at weeks 4, 8 and 12, with the benefit persisting after treatment stopped.

Human trial · 2026 · 50 people · women with melasma · Women with melasma applying 3% topical tranexamic acid serum plus moisturizer (vs moisturizer alone) for 8 weeks, follow-up to week 12. · The population is melasma patients.

PMID 42059427

In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of 102 women with melasma or solar lentigo, a cream with 2.51% arbutin applied twice daily for 8 weeks lightened discolouration in 75.86% of the melasma group and 56.00% of the solar-lentigo group.

Human trial · 2015 · 102 people · women (54 study / 48 control) with melasma or solar lentigo · Women aged 26-55 with melasma or solar lentigo, applying a 2.51% arbutin cream twice daily for 8 weeks. · The active was an aqueous extract standardised to 2.51% arbutin.

PMID 26119285

In a randomized, double-blind, controlled study of 90 volunteers with melasma, the arbutin-cream arm showed a significant fall in melasma severity score from 12.65 to 10.84 over 12 weeks; two participants had mild erythema and itching that resolved after stopping the cream.

Human trial · 2019 · 90 people · volunteers with melasma · Volunteers with melasma using an arbutin cream twice daily for 12 weeks (one of three arms: herbal mixture, arbutin cream, placebo). · Small per-arm sample and a single active agent among three comparison groups; tolerability was good overall with two mild irritation events.

PMID 30980618

In 72 people with mild-to-moderate acne, a 15% azelaic acid gel reduced post-inflammatory erythema (PAHPI) significantly more than placebo at weeks 8 and 12, and lowered melanin content in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation lesions at week 12.

Human trial · 2024 · 72 people · patients with mild-to-moderate acne (60 completed) · People with mild-to-moderate acne and acne-induced post-inflammatory erythema or hyperpigmentation, applying the gel twice daily for 12 weeks. · PIH lesion counts improved from baseline in both groups; the significant between-group difference was in PAHPI and melanin content.

PMID 38734843

In an 8-week randomized, vehicle-controlled split-face study of 23 people with blemish-prone skin, an anhydrous 0.1% retinal / 10% azelaic acid concentrate improved the pore parameter by 22.3% versus vehicle (p=0.015) and skin texture by 5.6% versus vehicle (p=0.0016), and reduced surface irregularities by 12.7% versus vehicle (p=0.0053).

Human trial · 2026 · 23 people · participants aged 16-49 (mean 28), Fitzpatrick I-IV, blemish-prone skin · Pore appearance, skin texture and surface irregularities on the face over 8 weeks. · The pore improvement versus baseline was borderline (15.9%, p=0.051); the small sample completed 23 participants; the product is a six-ingredient concentrate; 10% azelaic acid is regulated as an OTC drug in some markets.

PMID 42572367