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NATURIUM Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% for acne-prone skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Offers high suitability for your combination skin, as tranexamic acid and niacinamide work to regulate sebum production and melanogenesis, effectively addressing your acne, blemishes, and breakouts. Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract and tremella fuciformis sporocarp extract further support skin tone evening and hydration.
  • The formulation is safe for your combination skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation.
  • This product provides excellent brightening and evening of skin tone, targeting hyperpigmentation with moderate concentrations of tranexamic acid and kojic acid.

How to apply

  • Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
  • Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.3Overall rating based on 600+ reviews

Users primarily rely on this serum to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melasma, with many reporting a noticeable reduction in dark spots and an overall brighter complexion within 4-8 weeks. While the lightweight formula is widely praised for being gentle and effective for sensitive skin, a subset of users experienced breakouts or found the product ineffective for older, stubborn discoloration.

Highlights

  • Fades dark spots Mostly Mentioned
    • “Hyperpigmentation from acne greatly diminished”
    • “Spots faded away after a month”
    • “Fading fresh acne scars”
  • Brightens skin tone Often Mentioned
    • “Skin looks so bright”
    • “Noticeably brighter and more even”
    • “Visually even and improve the skin”
  • Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
    • “Absorbs well”
    • “Smooth and light”
    • “Layers well with other serums”
  • Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes Noted
    • “Did not sting my skin”
    • “Calming and supporting”
    • “Great for sensitive skin”
  • Caused breakouts Sometimes Noted
    • “Made me breakout”
    • “Kept breaking out”
    • “Caused cystic acne”
  • Ineffective for some Sometimes Noted
    • “Didn't do anything”
    • “No difference after months”
    • “Old marks didn't fade”
  • Product oxidation Rarely Noted
    • “Came cloudy and brown”
    • “Product had oxidized”
    • “Arrived expired”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “Smelly”
    • “Has a scent like a rose/chemical”
    • “Smells like barbecue sauce (oxidized)”

Sources: lovi.care, naturium.com, target.com, ulta.com, sokoglam.com, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% a great fit for acne-prone skin?

This treatment is a great fit for acne-prone skin because tranexamic acid and niacinamide help control oil production while fading dark spots from past breakouts. It also includes licorice root and mushroom extract to soothe and hydrate without causing irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?

This serum is a great fit for acne-prone skin because tranexamic acid and niacinamide help regulate oil production and clear up breakouts. Kojic acid and licorice root also work to fade dark marks, while ingredients like panthenol keep your skin calm and hydrated without irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What does Tranexamic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Tranexamic acid helps calm red marks left behind by breakouts and reduces inflammatory bumps like pimples on acne-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation and works well to improve uneven skin tone without significant side effects.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2023

What does Kojic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Kojic acid has antimicrobial properties that may help acne-prone skin, but it is primarily used to fade dark spots rather than treat breakouts directly. A product for this skin type also needs soothing ingredients to calm redness and keep pores clear.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie, 2019Experimental Dermatology, 2022

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine, after cleansing and before moisturizing, for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It is unlikely to cause irritation because the formulation is safe and free from harsh or prohibited ingredients.

Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this treatment alongside retinol by applying the retinol first at night, followed by this product once your skin is used to both. Because combining active ingredients may raise the chance of dryness or stinging, it is best to introduce them slowly and watch how your skin feels.

How often should I use it?

You can start using this treatment once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results. The formula helps calm breakouts, brighten dark spots, and keep your skin smooth without causing irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for acne-prone skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and features niacinamide and tranexamic acid to help regulate oil and keep skin clear. Some reviewers do mention experiencing breakouts, so you may want to patch test first.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • A topical formulation containing kojic acid, emblica extract, and glycolic acid demonstrated efficacy parity compared with hydroquinone 4% in multiethnic participants with mild to moderate facial dyschromia.

    Cutis, 2010
  • A nanoemulsion containing 1 mg/mL kojic dipalmitate and 5% rosehip oil demonstrated high incorporation efficiency, suitable physicochemical stability, antioxidant and depigmenting efficacy close to 1 mM ascorbic acid, and no cytotoxicity at concentrations from 0.06% to 1% in vitro.

    Pharmaceutics, 2023
  • Topical application of iron chelators kojic acid and deferiprone significantly accelerated wound healing in rats compared to control groups, with deferiprone showing superior efficacy due to higher antioxidant and iron chelation abilities.

    International Wound Journal, 2013
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015
  • Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2015
  • Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.

    Advanced Science, 2025
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020

Ingredients

Water, Isopentyldiol, Tranexamic Acid, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Isododecane, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Panthenol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

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