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NATURIUM Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% for oily skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily skin; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 excellent brightening and evening of skin tone for your oily skin due to the presence of tranexamic acid and kojic acid, which target hyperpigmentation and regulate melanogenesis. Niacinamide further aids in oil control and seboregulation, making it highly suitable for your concerns.
  • Licorice root extract and panthenol provide soothing benefits, complementing the active ingredients and ensuring a comfortable experience for your oily skin.
  • The product has a favorable safety profile with no risks of irritation for your oily skin, thanks to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of calming components.

How to apply

  • Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
  • Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
  • Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.

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 oily skin?

This treatment is a great fit because tranexamic acid and kojic acid help brighten dark spots, while niacinamide helps control oil. Licorice root and panthenol keep your skin calm and comfortable without causing irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?

Tranexamic acid and kojic acid brighten and even out skin tone, while niacinamide helps control oil. Licorice root extract and panthenol also soothe your oily skin and keep it comfortable.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What does Tranexamic Acid do for oily skin?

Tranexamic acid helps oily skin by calming redness and keeping the skin barrier strong, which is especially useful when dealing with stubborn dark spots and uneven tone. This ingredient is unlikely to clog pores and may improve overall skin texture while balancing the complexion.

International Journal of Dermatology, 2014Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2024

What does Kojic Acid do for oily skin?

Kojic acid helps fade dark spots and even out skin tone by slowing down the pigment production in oily skin. It is generally well tolerated, though products of this type for oily skin also need balancing ingredients to control shine and keep pores clear.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie, 2019The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 1994

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

Apply this treatment in your evening routine, putting it after your cleansing toner and before your moisturizer. Lovi routines place treatments in the evening for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this treatment alongside retinol by applying the treatment first and following with your retinol on alternate nights to prevent irritation. This product helps brighten dark spots and manage oil while keeping your oily skin calm and comfortable.

How often should I use this serum?

Use this treatment in your evening routine once a week to start, and if your oily skin tolerates it well and sees good results, you can carefully use it more often. It helps brighten skin tone and control oil while being unlikely to cause irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This treatment is a great fit for oily skin, but some reviewers do mention that it caused breakouts. It is unlikely to irritate your skin thanks to calming ingredients like licorice root extract and panthenol.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Is this serum 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Topical application of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica flavonoid-rich fractions individually and in combination significantly increased the wound healing rate and reduced oxidative stress compared to wound and Nolaver-treated groups.

    Molecules, 2023
  • 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.

How does it fit your skin?

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