Tranexamic Acid

Tranexamic acid is a pigment-modulating active typically used topically around 2–5% in leave-on products, and while it is generally well-tolerated, clinical use and consumer data do document occasional stinging, dryness, or erythema—especially when layered with other actives. It is not an exfoliating acid and is far less predictably irritating than AHAs/BHAs or retinoids, but in reactive/eczema-prone skin the risk is still meaningful enough to classify as mild rather than gentle. Safety Notes: In consumer skincare, tranexamic acid is most commonly found in leave-on brightening serums/creams, with low-end inclusion around 0.1–0.3% in multi-active tone-correcting formulas (and some rinse-off products). Mainstream OTC products typically sit around 2–5%, while a small number of high-strength, consumer-available specialty serums reach ~8–10%; above this is uncommon due to solubility/pH, sensory, and irritation/stinging constraints rather than an explicit cosmetic regulatory cap.