Tranexamic acid interrupts a signal that drives pigment production, and the added ascorbyl glucoside is a stable vitamin C derivative that nudges at pigment from a second angle. Both are gentle and unlikely to provoke reactive skin.
The catch is dose. Most topical tranexamic acid studies used 3–5%, and this is 2% — at the low end. It is likelier to help mild dullness than genuine melasma. Ascorbyl glucoside is also a weak vitamin C derivative, so do not expect much antioxidant or collagen benefit from it.
The "Night Treatment" name oversells the formula, which has no retinoid or exfoliant. Treat this as a mild, low-risk starting point, paired with daily sunscreen, and give it patience.
| Key active | Tranexamic acid 2% + ascorbyl glucoside 2% |
| Texture | Lightweight serum |
| Best for | Mild dark spots and dullness |
| Approximate price | $16–$18 |
| Fragrance | Fragrance free |
A sensible, low-risk introduction to tranexamic acid.
2% is a gentle dose, paired with ascorbyl glucoside, a stable and non-irritating vitamin C derivative. Together they nudge at pigment from two angles without much chance of provoking anything.
The Inkey List publishes its reasoning on-site, which is unusually transparent for a mass-market brand.
Short ingredient list, low irritation risk, widely available, cheap.
2% is at the low end of what has been studied. Most trials of topical tranexamic acid used 3–5%. This is likelier to help mild dullness than genuine melasma.
"Night Treatment" oversells it. There is no retinoid and no exfoliant in here. The name implies more potency than the formula holds.
Ascorbyl glucoside is a weak vitamin C derivative. Do not expect meaningful antioxidant or collagen benefit from the 2% in here.
Results are slow and subtle, which reviewers consistently report. That is the honest expectation.
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tranexamic Acid, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetearyl Olivate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lecithin, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Polysorbate 60, Dehydroacetic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sorbitan Isostearate
1. Topical Treatments for Melasma and Their Mechanism of Action (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9122278/) — Explains that tranexamic acid works via the plasminogen/plasmin pathway (reducing melanogenic factors) and is well tolerated, and that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an effective adjuvant for melasma, supporting the page's mechanism and low-irritation claims. 2. Topical and Systemic Therapies in Melasma: A Systematic Review (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10718129/) — States that further large-scale studies are needed to establish the efficacy of topical vitamin C and topical tranexamic acid, while oral TXA has a strong recommendation, backing the claim that a low-dose topical is at the weak end of the evidence for genuine melasma. 3. Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19186973/) — Shows that ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (ascorbyl glucoside), a stable vitamin C derivative, inhibits tyrosinase activity and melanin formation and reduces pigmentation in a controlled clinical trial, supporting ascorbyl glucoside's anti-pigment action. 4. Comparative study between topical tranexamic acid alone versus its combination with autologous platelet rich plasma for treatment of melasma (https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2020.1781755) — A melasma trial using topical tranexamic acid at 5% that notes topical TXA formulations have limited efficacy, supporting the page's point that most topical TXA trials used higher concentrations (3-5%) than the product's 2%. 5. Melasma treatment: a systematic review (https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2021.1914313) — Describes melasma as a chronic, refractory pigmentation disorder with high recurrence and no single universally effective treatment, supporting the caution that a gentle 2% serum is likelier to help mild dullness than genuine melasma. 6. The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Serum (product page) (https://www.theinkeylist.com/products/tranexamic-acid-night-treatment) — Confirms the product's formulation (2% tranexamic acid + 2% ascorbyl glucoside), its $19 / 30ml price, and that it was formerly sold as a Night Treatment, supporting the price, formulation, and naming facts on the page.