Pigment forms when pigment cells hand finished color to surrounding skin cells. Niacinamide can slow that transfer, and tranexamic acid interrupts an earlier signal between skin cells and pigment cells. Because they act at different points in the same process, pairing them makes sense, and alpha-arbutin adds a third route.
The 4% tranexamic acid sits within the range used in topical studies. The 10% niacinamide, however, is more than the evidence calls for — the landmark pigmentation study used 5% — and higher doses can cause more flushing without a clear added benefit.
Pigmentation is driven by light and is slow to shift. Daily sunscreen is the real treatment; a brightening serum is an adjunct, and results take months, not weeks.
| Key active | Niacinamide 10% + tranexamic acid 4% |
| Texture | Lightweight gel-serum |
| Best for | Hyperpigmentation and uneven tone |
| Approximate price | $20–$25 |
| Fragrance | Fragrance free |
The two actives are genuinely complementary, and that is the point.
Tranexamic acid interrupts the signal between skin cells and pigment cells — the pathway that drives melasma. Niacinamide blocks the transfer of finished pigment into skin cells. They work at different points in the same process, so stacking them makes real sense.
4% tranexamic acid sits inside the range used in the topical studies.
Alpha-arbutin adds a third mechanism, and the texture is light and comfortable.
10% niacinamide is more than the evidence calls for. The landmark pigmentation study used 5%. Nobody has shown that 10% works better — but higher doses cause more flushing and irritation. If this stings, the niacinamide is the likely reason.
Sunscreen is the treatment; this is the adjunct. Pigmentation is driven by light, and no serum outruns daily sun exposure. Without sunscreen you will not see much.
Anua's product naming is confusing. They also sell a "Peach 70% Niacinamide" serum, where the 70% refers to peach extract, not any active. Make sure you have the right bottle.
Expect months, not weeks. Pigmentation is slow to shift and quick to return.
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arbutin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alpha-Arbutin, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Yeast Ferment Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Glucose, Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate, Sucrose Palmitate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Gellan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Cellulose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Cyanocobalamin, Polyglutamic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ceramide NP, Dextrin, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum
1. The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer (https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04834.x) — This is the landmark Hakozaki study showing niacinamide works by blocking melanosome (finished pigment) transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes, and its clinical arm used 5% niacinamide. 2. Effective inhibition of melanosome transfer to keratinocytes by lectins and niacinamide is reversible (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0906-6705.2005.00309.x) — Confirms niacinamide inhibits the transfer of pigment (melanosomes) from melanocytes into keratinocytes, the mechanism the page attributes to niacinamide. 3. Tranexamic acid: an important adjuvant in the treatment of melasma (https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12026) — Explains that tranexamic acid works by inhibiting the plasminogen activator system, interrupting the signal from injured keratinocytes that activates melanocytes in melasma. 4. Topical Treatments for Melasma: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31741361/) — Systematic review of RCTs giving topical tranexamic acid a strong clinical recommendation for melasma, supporting its efficacy and evidence base. 5. A comprehensive review of the therapeutic potential of alpha-arbutin (https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7076) — Supports alpha-arbutin adding a third mechanism by inhibiting tyrosinase to reduce hyperpigmentation. 6. Efficacy of topical versus intradermal injection of Tranexamic Acid in Egyptian melasma Patients: A randomised clinical trial (https://doi.org/10.1111/ajd.13575) — A controlled melasma trial using topical tranexamic acid, supporting that tranexamic acid is studied and used as a topical agent for melasma.