Product

Tranexamic Acid 5% Serum with Niacinamide 5%

Cos De BAHA's 5% tranexamic acid and 5% niacinamide serum — the same actives as SkinCeuticals' $115 product, at higher concentrations, for under $20.
At a Glance
Recommended

Tranexamic acid interrupts a signal between skin cells and pigment cells, and niacinamide slows the transfer of finished pigment into skin cells. They act at different points in the same process, so pairing them is sensible.

Here both sit at studied strengths: tranexamic acid at 5% is the dose most topical research used, and niacinamide at 5% matches the landmark pigmentation study — not the inflated 10% many brands reach for.

No topical serum removes melasma, though. The condition is chronic and relapsing, driven by UV and visible light, so daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is the real treatment. If melasma is genuinely affecting you, a dermatologist can offer stronger options.

Key facts

Key activeTranexamic acid 5% + niacinamide 5%
TextureLightweight serum
Best forMelasma, dark spots, uneven tone — alongside daily sunscreen
Approximate price$15–$20
FragranceFragrance free

How it works

The value case is the whole story, and it is a strong one.

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense contains 3% tranexamic acid and 5% niacinamide and costs about $115. This contains 5% tranexamic acid and 5% niacinamide — a higher dose of the headline active — for under $20.

Both actives are the real thing at real concentrations. Tranexamic acid at 5% is the dose most of the topical research used. Niacinamide at 5% is precisely the concentration the landmark pigmentation study used — not the inflated 10% many brands reach for.

Simple formula, aloe and hyaluronic acid for comfort, no kojic acid to sensitize.

Everyday habits

How to use it
  • When: morning or night.How much: a few drops on clean skin. Steps: apply before moisturizer and let it absorb. Sunscreen: pigment is driven by light, so daily SPF does most of the work — this serum supports it. Patch test: the brand recommends one; do it before daily use.
Who should be careful+

The product title says "remover melasma." It does not. No topical serum removes melasma — the condition is chronic and relapsing, and this is an adjunct at best. Ignore the marketing language.

Sunscreen is the actual treatment. Melasma is driven by UV and visible light. Without daily broad-spectrum sunscreen — ideally tinted — this serum is doing very little.

Cos De BAHA is a small brand with scattered reports of stinging and reactions across its product line. The brand itself recommends a patch test. Do that.

No independent testing on this specific formula.

If melasma is genuinely affecting you, see a dermatologist. Prescription options — hydroquinone, triple-combination cream, oral tranexamic acid — are considerably more effective, and melasma is worth treating properly.

Questions people ask+
Will it remove melasma?No. No topical serum does. It supports treatment alongside sunscreen.
Do I need sunscreen with it?Yes. Pigment is driven by light, so daily SPF is essential.
How does it compare to pricier pigment serums?It uses the same actives at equal or higher concentrations for much less.
Is it fragrance-free?Yes. There is no added fragrance in the ingredient list.
Should I patch test?Yes. The brand recommends it, as some users report stinging.
Full ingredient list+

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Betaine, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract

Note: product identified as Cos De BAHA Tranexamic Acid 5% + Niacinamide 5% Serum.

References+

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 pigmentation study the page references: it used a 5% niacinamide moisturizer, which significantly decreased facial hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness versus vehicle, working by inhibiting melanosome transfer. 2. Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31732) — A 12-week double-blind, split-face randomized trial applying 5% niacinamide showed significant reduction in hyperpigmented spots, supporting the use of niacinamide at 5% for pigmentation. 3. 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 randomized trial using topical tranexamic acid 5% cream twice daily produced significant improvement in modified MASI melasma scores, supporting 5% as an effective topical tranexamic acid concentration. 4. Melasma treatment: a systematic review (https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2021.1914313) — A systematic review of melasma treatments identifying tranexamic acid as an effective agent for the pigmentation disorder the product targets.