PoreWise One finding · Human trial · 2025
Study title
Randomized Clinical Trial on the Efficacy of Oral Tranexamic Acid Versus Topical Tranexamic Acid in Treatment of Melasma
- Kind of evidence
- Human trial 2025 · 50 people · female melasma patients · PMID 40923777
- Measured outcome
- Skin effect
- Year
- 2025
- Who was studied
- 50 female melasma patients
- Sample size
- 50
- Measured outcome
- 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).
- Certainty
- Moderate
- Who was measured
- Female melasma patients applying a 5% topical tranexamic acid cream twice daily for 12 weeks (compared with an oral tranexamic acid arm).
- Study limits
- Small sample (50) and a single-centre study; the trial compared topical against oral tranexamic acid.
Where it comes from
- Randomized Clinical Trial on the Efficacy of Oral Tranexamic Acid Versus Topical Tranexamic Acid in Treatment of Melasma
Published by Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (Heidary B, Meibodi GAH, Ardakani ME, et al.) · Last checked 2026-10-29
Ingredients it was measured on
Skin concerns studied
Other findings on the same ingredient or concern
- Skin effectTranexamic acid protects human dermal fibroblasts from D-galactose-induced senescence via the GPR30/MAPK pathway
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.
- Skin effectEfficacy and Tolerability of a Topical Pigment-Correcting Serum in Melasma and Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
In 30 women with melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a serum combining lotus sprout extract, tranexamic acid and niacinamide reduced skin tone unevenness by 38% and 33% respectively over 16 weeks (P < 0.008).
Human trial · 2026 · 30 people · women (15 melasma, 15 PIH), 70% Fitzpatrick IV-VI · Women with melasma or PIH, 70% with Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI, applying the serum twice daily for 16 weeks. · 30 participants; "skin tone unevenness" is a sponsor-defined endpoint.
- Skin effectA double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of Serratulae quinquefoliae folium, a new source of beta-arbutin, in selected skin hyperpigmentations
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.
- Skin effectA cream of herbal mixture to improve melasma
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.
- Skin effectThe Influence of Sunscreen Use on Skin Pigmentation Disorders: Melasma, Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, and Vitiligo
A 2026 review of the 2015-2025 literature concluded that sun protection plays a central role in the prevention and treatment of pigmentation disorders including melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and that broad-spectrum sunscreens with visible-light protection may enhance protection against hyperpigmentation.
Review article · 2026 · People with melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or vitiligo · People managing or preventing pigmentation disorders, particularly melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; those with darker skin phototypes (IV-VI) where visible light can worsen hyperpigmentation. · 2026 · People with melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or vitiligo. · PMID 42793277