All scans / Serums / The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum
The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum ingredients: is it worth it?
A credible but modest dark-spot serum—not the powerhouse its brightening language suggests.
A credible but modest dark-spot serum—not the powerhouse its brightening language suggests.
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The 3.4/5 efficacy score comes mainly from disclosed 2% tranexamic acid in position five, with humectants high in the formula supporting hydration. Ascorbyl glucoside is a weaker, indirect vitamin C derivative than direct ascorbic acid, the product does not disclose pH, and the acai extract should not be treated as a clinically meaningful treatment driver. The uncomplicated gel-emulsion base is well designed for daily use, but the formula lacks the concentration and evidence profile needed for a top-tier pigment treatment.
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DemythSkin rates The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum 3.9/5 for efficacy and 4.4/5 for safety.
CONTAINS COMMON SENSITISERS⌄
Fragrance components and essential oils that more often cause reactions in sensitive skin: Benzyl Alcohol. Most people tolerate them; patch test if your skin reacts easily.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BY TIER
Gold Standards
High clinical proof | Skin-transformativeReliable
Proven resultsPotent
Developing evidenceOverhyped | Marketing
Hype | Limited dataDocumented Irritants
Evidence-backed flagFORMULATION BASE (14)⌄
FULL INGREDIENT LIST⌄
Aqua (Water/Eau), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tranexamic Acid, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetearyl Olivate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lecithin, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Polysorbate 60, Dehydroacetic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sorbitan Isostearate.
WHAT EACH INGREDIENT DOES (23)⌄
- Aqua (Water/Eau)
- Formula solvent and vehicle
- Butylene Glycol
- Humectant and solvent
- Glycerin
- Water-binding humectant
- Ascorbyl Glucoside
- Vitamin C derivative
- Tranexamic Acid
- Pigment-modulating treatment active
- Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
- Acai botanical extract
- 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
- Skin-conditioning active
- Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
- Texture and viscosity modifier
- Phenoxyethanol
- Preservative
- Carbomer
- Gel-forming thickener
- Sodium Hydroxide
- pH adjustment agent
- Cetearyl Olivate
- Emulsifier and skin conditioner
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Preservative and solvent
- Sorbitan Olivate
- Emulsifier and stabilizer
- Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
- Emulsion stabilizer and thickener
- Lecithin
- Emulsifier and skin conditioner
- Squalane
- Lightweight emollient
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Preservative booster and conditioner
- Sodium Gluconate
- Chelating and stabilizing agent
- Polysorbate 60
- Emulsifier and solubilizer
- Dehydroacetic Acid
- Preservative
- Lactobacillus Ferment
- Ferment-derived skin conditioner
- Sorbitan Isostearate
- Emulsifier and stabilizer
EXTERNAL CITATIONS
Tranexamic Acid: The brand identifies a 2% concentration and positions it as the primary discoloration-targeting active.
Ascorbyl Glucoside: The formula uses a vitamin C derivative rather than direct L-ascorbic acid.
Glycerin: A high-position humectant supporting water retention and short-term hydration.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ANALYSIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. AI-GENERATED DATA BASED ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INGREDIENT LISTS. VERIFY WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum: common questions
Is The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum worth it?
The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum scores 3.9 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Effective) and 4.4 out of 5.0 for safety (Gentle) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. A credible but modest dark-spot serum—not the powerhouse its brightening language suggests.
What are the key active ingredients in The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum?
The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Tranexamic Acid.
Does The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum contain fragrance or known irritants?
DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum. It scores 4.4 out of 5.0 for safety.
How is The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum scored?
DemythSkin grades every product on two independent scores: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are graded S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. Brand and price are not part of the score, and no brand pays for one.
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