22 September, 2026
Dark spots, post-acne marks and uneven skin tone can be surprisingly persistent, especially when your skin is also prone to redness or sensitivity. Tranexamic acid, often shortened to TXA, has become a popular ingredient in brightening skincare because it targets pigmentation through a different pathway than many of the more familiar brightening ingredients.
What makes Korean skincare especially interesting here is how often TXA is paired with ingredients such as niacinamide, azelaic acid, vitamin C derivatives, centella and other barrier-supportive ingredients. That makes it easier to build a brightening routine without relying on one strong active alone.
For this guide, we’ve focused on Korean products with tranexamic acid as a meaningful part of the formula, while looking for different strengths and approaches rather than recommending seven versions of essentially the same serum. Whether you’re dealing with post-acne marks, brown spots, dullness or uneven tone, these are the formulas I would look at first.
Top Picks at a Glance
✦ Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum — Best for Dark Spots & Uneven Tone
✦ Medicube TXA Niacinamide Serum — Best High-Strength TXA Formula
✦ SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Ampoule — Best for Sensitive Skin
✦ Numbuzin No.5+ Vitamin Concentrated Serum — Best for Post-Acne Marks
✦ Dr.Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum — Best for Vitamin C + TXA
✦ Celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Cream — Best Cream Formula
Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
✦ Best for Dark Spots & Uneven ToneIdeal for: Post-acne marks, uneven tone, dullness, enlarged pores
Cruelty-Free
Vegan
Fragrance-Free
Clean Ingredients
Anua’s Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum is one of the most straightforward choices in this guide if your main goal is targeting visible dark spots and uneven tone. The formula combines 10% niacinamide, 4% tranexamic acid and 2% arbutin, giving it a particularly focused brightening profile rather than making TXA a minor supporting ingredient.
It also includes hyaluronic acid, ceramide NP and panthenol, along with several botanical ingredients, which gives the serum a more hydrating profile than the percentages of the hero actives might initially suggest. Anua describes the texture as lightweight and watery, and the current formula is fragrance-free and positioned as a daily brightening treatment.
Compared with some of the other options here, this is the product I would choose when you want the classic TXA + niacinamide combination in a relatively simple serum format.
Why we love it
- 10% niacinamide + 4% TXA makes the brightening focus very clear
- Adds 2% arbutin for another pigment-focused active
- Lightweight, hydrating and fragrance-free formula
What you need to know
- This is a relatively active formula, so it may not be the best place to start if your skin is very reactive.
- With several brightening ingredients in one product, you do not necessarily need to layer multiple pigment-focused serums on top.
Medicube TXA Niacinamide 15 Serum
✦ Best High-Strength TXA FormulaIdeal for: Dark spots, acne marks, uneven tone, uneven texture
Cruelty-Free
Fragrance-Free
Clean Ingredients
Medicube’s TXA Niacinamide Serum stands out because it contains 5% tranexamic acid, which Medicube currently describes as its highest TXA concentration. It also contains 10% niacinamide and 2% arbutin, making it one of the most concentrated pigment-focused formulas in this lineup.
The rest of the formulation takes a more hydration-and-comfort-focused approach, with panthenol, betaine and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid. Medicube also describes it as lightweight, low-irritation and fragrance-free.
This makes it a particularly interesting choice if you want a stronger TXA formula but still prefer a serum that is designed around hydration rather than an aggressive exfoliating approach.
Why we love it
- 5% TXA, 10% niacinamide and 2% arbutin
- Multiple forms of hyaluronic acid add hydration
- Fragrance-free formula with panthenol and betaine
What you need to know
- The combination is quite active, so beginners may prefer to introduce it gradually.
- More active ingredients do not automatically mean faster results; consistency matters more than simply choosing the highest percentage.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule
✦ Best for Sensitive SkinIdeal for: Sensitive skin, dullness, uneven tone, post-blemish marks
Fragrance-Free
Clean Ingredients
SKIN1004 takes a gentler-looking approach to brightening. The Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule combines niacinamide and tranexamic acid with centella asiatica, madecassoside and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, a stable vitamin C derivative. The formula is designed around tone-evening and radiance while also supporting a comfortable, hydrated feel.
The ampoule has an essence-like texture that SKIN1004 says absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky finish. It also uses an oil-in-water gel technology designed to provide longer-lasting hydration, which makes this one of the more appealing choices if your skin tends to dislike very stripped-back brightening formulas.
I would choose this over a higher-strength formula when comfort and barrier support are part of the buying decision, not just pigmentation.
Why we love it
- Combines TXA and niacinamide with centella and madecassoside
- Includes a stable vitamin C derivative without relying on a very acidic vitamin C formula
- Lightweight, hydrating texture
What you need to know
- The exact percentages of TXA and niacinamide are not disclosed on SKIN1004’s current official product page.
- If you’re specifically looking for the highest disclosed TXA concentration, Medicube is a more obvious choice.
Numbuzin No.5+ Vitamin Concentrated Serum
✦ Best for Post-Acne MarksIdeal for: Post-acne marks, uneven tone, dullness, dry or combination skin
Cruelty-Free
Vegan
Fragrance-Free
Clean Ingredients
Numbuzin’s No.5+ Vitamin Concentrated Serum is the most multi-functional brightening formula in this list. The current ingredient list includes 5% niacinamide and 4% tranexamic acid, along with panthenol, alpha-arbutin, a vitamin C derivative, ceramide NP, beta-glucan and glutathione.
That combination gives the serum a slightly richer, more supportive feel than a minimalist TXA treatment. Instead of relying primarily on TXA, it brings several brightening and conditioning ingredients into one formula. For someone dealing with lingering post-acne marks alongside dryness or uneven-looking skin, that makes it particularly appealing.
It is also a good example of why Korean brightening formulas can be interesting: the goal isn’t necessarily to push one active as hard as possible, but to combine several complementary ingredients in one routine-friendly product.
Why we love it
- 5% niacinamide + 4% TXA
- Includes alpha-arbutin and vitamin C derivative
- Ceramide, beta-glucan and panthenol give the formula a more conditioned feel
What you need to know
- The formula contains a lot of active and supporting ingredients, so it is not the simplest option for someone who prefers minimalist skincare.
- New or sensitive users should introduce it gradually and patch test first.
Dr.Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum
✦ Best for Vitamin C + TXAIdeal for: Dark spots, post-blemish marks, dullness, uneven tone
Cruelty-Free
Vegan
Fragrance-Free
Clean Ingredients
Dr.Althea’s Vitamin C Boosting Serum is a nice option for someone who wants TXA as part of a broader antioxidant-focused brightening formula. The current formula contains 5% niacinamide and 2% tranexamic acid, alongside 63% sea buckthorn water, alpha-arbutin and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid.
Compared with Anua and Medicube, the TXA concentration is lower, but the formula has a different overall character. The combination of niacinamide, TXA, alpha-arbutin and vitamin C-derived ingredients makes it a good fit for someone who wants to address dullness and discoloration from several angles without choosing an especially high-strength TXA serum.
Dr.Althea currently positions it specifically for dark spots, post-blemish marks, dullness and uneven-looking tone, and the brand’s current formula is free from artificial fragrance.
Why we love it
- 5% niacinamide + 2% TXA
- Combines TXA with vitamin C derivative and alpha-arbutin
- A more balanced option for people who want an all-round brightening serum
What you need to know
- TXA is lower than in the Anua and Medicube formulas.
- If pigmentation is your only concern and you want a more TXA-focused formula, another pick in this guide may make more sense.
Celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Cream
✦ Best Cream FormulaIdeal for: Uneven tone, dark spots, pores, dry or combination skin
Cruelty-Free
Vegan
Fragrance-Free
Clean Ingredients
Celimax is the outlier in this list — and that is exactly why I included it. Rather than another serum, the Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Cream delivers 5% niacinamide and 5% tranexamic acid, plus the brand’s Melazero V2 complex. It also contains ceramides, cholesterol, beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid, giving the formula a more moisturizer-like profile.
That makes it especially useful if you don’t want to add another treatment serum to your routine. Celimax recommends using it as the final skincare step morning and evening, and even suggests applying a thicker layer as a sleeping pack when additional moisture is wanted.
For me, this is the most interesting choice for someone thinking, “I want brightening care, but I also want my product to feel like skincare rather than another treatment layer.”
Why we love it
- 5% TXA + 5% niacinamide
- Cream format adds hydration and barrier-supportive ingredients
- Useful alternative to adding another serum
What you need to know
- This will be richer than the lightweight serum options in this guide.
- If you already use a separate moisturizer that you love, a serum may fit your routine more naturally.
What does tranexamic acid do in skincare?
Topical tranexamic acid is mainly used in skincare for the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dark spots and uneven skin tone. It has been studied particularly in relation to melasma, although the strength of evidence varies by formulation and treatment approach.
Is tranexamic acid good for dark spots?
It can be a useful cosmetic ingredient for dark spots and uneven tone, particularly when used consistently. Many of the Korean formulas above combine TXA with other brightening ingredients such as niacinamide, arbutin or vitamin C derivatives rather than relying on TXA alone.
Can you use tranexamic acid with niacinamide?
Yes. Niacinamide and tranexamic acid are commonly paired in Korean skincare, including several products in this guide. The combination is popular because the two ingredients approach pigmentation in different ways and can be formulated together in a single daily serum.
Can you use tranexamic acid with azelaic acid?
They can be used in the same skincare routine, but you do not necessarily need both in one product. A practical approach is to use TXA-focused products for brown pigmentation and incorporate azelaic acid when redness or blemish-prone skin is also a concern. Introduce actives gradually rather than adding several new treatments at once.
What percentage of tranexamic acid is best?
There isn’t one universally established percentage that is “best” for cosmetic skincare. The products in this guide range from 1% to 5% disclosed TXA, and formulation, supporting ingredients, consistency and skin tolerance all matter.
Do you still need sunscreen when using tranexamic acid?
Yes. A brightening routine works alongside, rather than instead of, daily sun protection. Consistent UV protection is especially important when your goal is to reduce the appearance of pigmentation over time.
