Product record / Serums, Tranexamic Acid
SerumThe INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Serum
- $19
- retail price
- $0.64
- per mL
- 3.7 ★
- 1,097 ratings
- Data source
- Active ingredient named in product title; concentration not disclosed The INKEY List names tranexamic acid in the product title; exact % not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page.
- Best for
- Brightening & dark spots
- How it feels
- Lightweight, fast-absorbing serum
- Value
- $19 for 30 mL · $0.64/mL
Bottom line The $19 tranexamic acid serum that quietly earns it — if you give it two months and never skip SPF.
Editorial verdict / Social intelligence
The $19 tranexamic acid serum that quietly earns it — if you give it two months and never skip SPF. 1
- Beauty benefit
- Fades post-acne marks, dark spots, and melasma-related discoloration by blocking the inflammatory pathway that triggers excess melanin production — paired with a vitamin C derivative and acai berry for antioxidant brightening support at a $19 price point.
- Does it work
- Yes, with real patience required. A 3.7-star Ulta average across 1,097 reviews and a 4.3-star brand site average reflect genuine results tempered by slow timelines. Consistent praise for fading PIH and post-acne marks within 6-8 weeks; best for preventative use on fresh marks rather than long-established sun damage. Reviewers who quit early almost universally missed the window. See the verified data below →
Consensus strength
Moderate1,097 Ulta reviews (3.7 stars), 353 brand-site reviews (4.3 stars), DermApproved (1,800+ reviews, 4/5 stars), What's In My Jar ingredient analysis, editorial reviews from NayaTilly and Simply Saima, INKEY List's own ingredient guide, NBC Select editorial listing
01 / The key active
Tranexamic Acid
Tranexamic Acid is present in the formula; the brand does not disclose the exact concentration.
Active ingredient named in product title; concentration not disclosed. The INKEY List names tranexamic acid in the product title; exact % not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page.
Other products with Tranexamic Acid:
02 / The full ingredient list
Every ingredient, in label order
Exactly as printed, each token matched to the EU CosIng register and flagged where a CIR safety assessment exists. Highlighted rows are the key actives.
| # | Ingredient, as printed | CosIng functions | CIR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Aqua (Water/ Eau) CosIng: AQUA |
| — |
| 02 | Butylene Glycol |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 03 | Glycerin |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 04 | Ascorbyl Glucoside |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 05 | Tranexamic Acid |
| — |
| 06 | Euterpe OleraceaFruit Extract CosIng: EUTERPE OLERACEA FRUIT EXTRACT |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 07 | 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide |
| — |
| 08 | Sodium AcrylatesCopolymer CosIng: SODIUM ACRYLATES COPOLYMER |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 09 | Phenoxyethanol |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 10 | Carbomer |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 11 | Sodium Hydroxide |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 12 | Cetearyl Olivate |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 13 | Benzyl Alcohol |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 14 | Sorbitan Olivate |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 15 | HydroxyethylAcrylate/Sodium AcryloyldimethylTaurate Copolymer CosIng: HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 16 | Lecithin |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 17 | Squalane |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 18 | Ethylhexylglycerin |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 19 | Sodium Gluconate |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 20 | Polysorbate 60 |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 21 | Dehydroacetic Acid |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 22 | LactobacillusFerment CosIng: LACTOBACILLUS FERMENT |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 23 | Sorbitan Isostearate |
| ✓ reviewed |
23 ingredients as printed · 18 exact CosIng matches · 5 normalized spellings · source: active ingredient named in product title; concentration not disclosed
03 / Where to buy
Where to buy Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Serum
Some links on this page earn us a commission. It never changes our analysis — the methodology is public.
04 / What people say
What buyers actually say
Aggregated from 3,689 verified reviews across 4 sources.
What works
- Common Fades post-acne PIH and dark spot discoloration visibly within 6-8 weeks of consistent daily use 735
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation faded significantly after 3 months of consistent use Editorial
-
not greasy, absorbs well and doesn't pill Reviews
-
Fragrance-free, generally gentle formula Dermatologist
- Some Transparent 2% TXA concentration with well-studied actives at clinically-backed dosages — rare for this price 85
This is the best value among similar products Editorial
- Some Works well as a preventative treatment on emerging blemishes — stops fresh PIH before it sets 6
one of the most impressive, yet unsung hero products in The Inkey List range for acne scarring and preventing post-breakout discoloration Editorial
What to know
- Common Results are very slow — 8-12 weeks to see meaningful change; many users give up before the window opens 51
Results require 8-12 weeks of patience with no quick payoff Dermatologist
-
slightly tacky film on my skin that makes me keep touching my face — product rolls off with repeated touching Editorial
- Some Limited effect on deep, long-established sun damage or dermal melasma — works best on epidermal PIH 65
Older hyperpigmentation spots require extended time to fade completely; limited effectiveness on established sun spots Editorial
- Some Small 30ml bottle requires frequent repurchasing, especially for twice-daily use 5
Small 30 mL bottle necessitates frequent repurchasing Dermatologist
What you'd only know from the reviews
-
SPF is non-negotiable — INKEY's own guide calls it 'non-negotiable' in morning routines. Without daily sun protection, new dark spots form faster than the TXA can fade them; results stall indefinitely. The serum treats existing pigmentation; SPF prevents re-pigmentation. 4
-
The serum should be applied before moisturizer with a 30-minute wait — not after. INKEY's layering guide specifies TXA serum, then wait 30+ minutes, then moisturizer. Applying moisturizer on top immediately dilutes the active contact time and may explain 'no results' reports. 4
-
The vitamin C used here is ascorbyl glucoside — a stable derivative, not pure L-ascorbic acid. WIMJ notes it requires 'much higher' concentration than LAA to match potency. The brightening lift from 'vitamin C' in this formula is real but gentler than a 15% L-ascorbic acid serum. 8
-
Best results come from preventative use on fresh marks, not erasure of existing damage. Reviewer NayaTilly — who gave it an A grade — uses it immediately when a breakout appears, calling it 'damage control.' Established spots take 3+ months; new PIH fades in weeks. 6
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
05 / Questions
Frequently asked
- What's in The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Serum?
- The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Serum lists 23 ingredients. Key active: Tranexamic Acid (concentration undisclosed). The INKEY List names tranexamic acid in the product title; exact % not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page. The full ingredient list, matched to EU CosIng, is on this page.
- Does The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Serum work?
- Yes, with real patience required. A 3.7-star Ulta average across 1,097 reviews and a 4.3-star brand site average reflect genuine results tempered by slow timelines. Consistent praise for fading PIH and post-acne marks within 6-8 weeks; best for preventative use on fresh marks rather than long-established sun damage. Reviewers who quit early almost universally missed the window.
- How much Tranexamic Acid is in The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Serum?
- The INKEY List does not publicly disclose the exact concentration. Tranexamic Acid appears in the INCI list; the amount is undisclosed. The INKEY List names tranexamic acid in the product title; exact % not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page.
- Where can I buy The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Serum?
- $18.00 on Amazon (price recorded as of the date shown). The INKEY List names tranexamic acid in the product title; exact % not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page.