An Honest Review On The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment

Since I’ve learned about tranexamic acid for its potentials in fading hyperpigmentation, I’ve come to love it, you know why? – because it definitely proved its magic to me when I used it on my dark spots affected area on my face, and guess the product I used? – Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting serum, which contains 3% (previously 2%) traxenamic acid derivative (cetyl tranexamate mesylate) and 4% niacinamide to help tackle hyperpigmentation. 

In my experimental review with the Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting serum, after using it on my dark spot affected area for four (4) weeks, my face improved for the better. Dark spots decrease by 90%, with an impressive result on entire skin brightness. You can read my full review here. 

As BeautySparkReview implies, I test beauty products for fun, to share my honest review about them, therefore — on knowing about The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment, following the hot reviews about it on Reddit, I decided to put it to the test, and after five (5) weeks of everyday usage I’ve decided to share my personal and honest review about this tranexamic acid infused formula. 

But before we plunge into that, if you’re new to tranexamic acid, I’ll clear you on that. 

What’s Tranexamic Acid?

Tranexamic acid is synthetically derived from the amino acid lysine. Lysine is an amino acid (a building block of protein). Unlike some other amino acids, the human body cannot make lysine; therefore it must be eaten in the diet. Sources of lysine include meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and some plants such as soy and other legumes.

Tranexamic acid tackles hyperpigmentation by providing a powerful and specific anti-inflammatory action, inhibiting the tyrosinase synthesis in melanocytes. At the same time it blocks the transfer of pigment from melanocytes to keratinocytes in the epidermis. It also calms the skin and helps restore the skin barrier. 

Apart from topical usage for its skin benefits, tranexamic acid is also a drug used to treat heavy bleeding during menstrual period. Tranexamic acid works by slowing the breakdown of blood clots, which helps to prevent prolonged bleeding [1]. It belongs to a class of drugs known as antifibrinolytics.

Research has it that taking tranexamic acid orally also helps treat melasma and other skin discoloration with few side effects, such as stomach discomfort, potentially increasing the risk of blood clots and interference with your menstrual cycle by causing reduced menstrual flow. Therefore, l strongly advise if you must use oral tranexamic acid, endeavor to discuss with your doctor regarding your intended approach. 

The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment. 

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From The Inkey List skincare brand — a reputable Canadian-based brand, launched in 2018, similar to The Ordinary brand, they’re known for producing quality skincare products to address different skin needs at a pocket friendly price. Their tranexamic acid formula isn’t an exception, it contains blend of 2% tranexamic acid, 2% acai berry extract and 2% ascorbyl glucoside — a vitamin C derivative to target and tackle melasma and hyperpigmentation.

Other active ingredients used in this formulation will be briefly explained below. 

• Acai Berry Extract: Found in the deep rain forests of South America, acai berries grow on acai palm trees that grow to more than 80 ft tall. In skincare, acai berry helps enhance skin luminosity as it brightens skin tone and also boost collagen production all thanks to its  content in vitamin A and C. It also helps fight against environmental pollutants, toxins, radiation, stress, and bacteria. 

• Ascorbyl Glucoside: A stable form of vitamin C derivative which is combined with sugar glucose to enhance its stability due to the fact that L-ascorbic acid is notoriously-unstable that often breaks down when exposed to air and sunlight. Once ascorbyl glucoside is absorbed into the skin, its gradually breakdown to vitamin C, creating what’s known as a reservoir effect within skin. This leads to longer-lasting benefits.

Packaging. 

The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment Solution comes in an airless-pump container, not only to ensure easy usage but also protect product from quick oxidation. All you have to do is apply a little pressure on product-pump to dispense product for application. 

Texture.

The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment Solution has a thick-gel translucent texture (but not too thick) which feels light-weight and moisturizing on the skin but takes a while before absorbing fully (need to give it more gentle massage). It leaves no greasy or tacky residue behind. Leaves the skin moisturized and dewy. 

Size.

The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment comes in 30 ml size. 

Ingredients List.

Aqua (Water/ Eau), Butylene Glycol,Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside,Tranexamic Acid, Euterpe OleraceaFruit Extract, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Sodium AcrylatesCopolymer, Phenoxyethanol,Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide,Cetearyl Olivate, Benzyl Alcohol,Sorbitan Olivate, HydroxyethylAcrylate/Sodium AcryloyldimethylTaurate Copolymer, Lecithin,Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin,Sodium Gluconate, Polysorbate 60,Dehydroacetic Acid, LactobacillusFerment, Sorbitan Isostearate.

My Honest Review On The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment. 

The buzz around this product gained my attention towards it. First it was from couple YouTube beauty vloggers, secondly from Instagram beauty bloggers and thirdly from Reddit users (whom has used the product) all happily testifying to its efficacy and recommending it. 

Having used tranexamic acid product in the past, and confirming to its efficacy towards eradicating hyperpigmentation, made me give this particular product a shot to see for myself what people are actually raving about. 

Although I know in skincare, our skin differs and for that, results differs too. I kept that in mind while trying out this product, so that should incase it doesn’t work for me – no big deal, I’ll take it as a trial and loss. 

So the question is, does The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment really worth it?

After using this tranexamic acid treatment everyday (morning and night) for five (5) weeks, I’ve come to the conclusion that this product WORTHS the hype, but it’s not an overnight-magic product. Your patience must play a role, while consistency will give you the desired result. 

While using this tranexamic acid night treatment, I paired it with tretinoin (which I use every-other-day) to help with cell turnover and regeneration which will in turn help potentiate the efficacy of dark spots-targeting skincare products for better penetration and effectiveness towards treating hyperpigmentation. Not to mention I’m a old-time tretinoin user and lover. Can’t do without that magical ingredient. 

At the time of using The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment, I had no existing discoloration as The Good Molecules Discoloration Correction serum has done all the good works by fixing my hyperpigmented-affected area, but with The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment, I saw a continued skin brightening effect, I woke up in the morning to a radiant and glowing skin. 

Indeed tranexamic acid continued its good works to ensure my skin stays radiant and luminous. 

From my personal experience, being that I’ve used both tranexamic acid formulas from Good Molecules & Inkey List brand, I will rate the one from the Good Molecules brand higher, because I tend to experience faster result and more dramatic brightening effect compared to The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment. 

From my own point of view, I’ll say the science behind this is because, Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting serum contains a tranexamic acid derivative (cetyl tranexamate mesylate), a lipophilic which means “lipid loving” form of tranexamic acid (dissolve in lipids or fats) which penetrates deeper into the skin, unlike tranexamic acid itself which cannot mix with our skin lipids, because it resists diffusion into our skin barrier layer, making its penetration into the skin dermis limited. 

So, after finishing-up The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment, I’ll slide back to the Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting serum. 

Don’t get me wrong, The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment was great on my skin, I definitely experienced skin brightening, and more especially it feels moisturizing on my skin. But i find Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting serum more effective. My personal experience though.

In Conclusion. 

The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment is definitely a great formula to lay your hands on if you want to enjoy tranexamic acid potentials. To make it more interesting, The Inkey List paired tranexamic acid with acai berry extract and ascorbyl glucoside for more enhanced efficacy towards targeting hyperpigmentation and improving over all skin complexion – which is a big plus, isn’t it?. 

What I Like About The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment.

• Pocket-friendly. 

• Improved my complexion. 

• Feels moisturizing on the skin.

• Contains no skin-irritant or toxic ingredients. 

• Product is well packaged, comes in an air-tight pump plastic container to ensure easy product usage and protect product content from oxidation.

What I Dislike About The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment.

• As an individual with oily skin, the texture is thickly-rich for me. Don’t get me wrong it’s moisturizing on skin and leaves no greasy residue or feeling behind, but I would have loved it more if the texture was less thick or a bit runny, just like The Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting serum, so as to suit my skin type perfectly. 

Update. 

The Inkey List brand has made some modifications in their tranexamic acid night treatment product. And these modifications/changes are:

• They changed the title of their tranexamic acid treatment which was previously titled “Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment“, but changed to “Tranexamic Acid Serum“. Product still maintains its texture, scent and ingredients list. 

• They also changed the product-container structure of their tranexamic acid serum, from previously taking a short-shaped size (just like you see in the pictures above) to currently taking a longer-shaped size, but still remains 30ml. See the picture of the current look of The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Serum below:

Possible Question & Answers. 

Q: Did You experience any breakout or irritation while using The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment?

A: While using The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment I never encountered any irritation or breakout. I love the fact, it’s very moisturizing and glides effortlessly on my skin. Although skin type differs, so shall results differ too. Therefore it’s strongly advised to perform a patch test prior to commencing product application to test for allergy. 

Q: How did you use The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment?

A: Below is a detailed guide on how I used The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment Solution. 

• Step 1: I Cleanse my skin with ZapZyt Acne Wash Cleanser (I don’t use it everyday, I alternate with a hydrating cleanser – CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser). 

• Step 2: I hydrate my skin with a hydrating toner.

• Step 3: I apply 2 pumps of The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment on my face and neck while I massage till fully absorbed.

• Step 4: I wait for extra one minute for my skin to dry, then I follow up with a pea-size amount of tretinoin gel (which I use every-other-day at night-time only), I massage till fully absorbed. 

• Step 5: Then I seal-in with a moisturizer afterwards. I apply my Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser to keep my skin moisturized all night. Sometimes I alternate with CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion.

I also repeat the same skincare routine process during the day too via my morning skincare routine (except for the application of tretinoin, which I use only at night).

Q: It says on the product pack use at the last stage of your skincare routine, how about that?

A: That direction really sounds complicated, because this product isn’t supposed to replace your moisturizer (which comes at the last stage of a skincare routine), therefore after applying The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment, don’t stop there. Kindly move ahead to apply your moisturizer to keep skin adequately moisturized. 

Q: Can I use The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment with retinol or tretinoin?

A: Traxenamic acid pairs well with other skincare products, therefore using it alongside with retinoids such as retinol or tretinoin will make a great combination. Same as using it with AHAs such as glycolic and lactic acid or BHA such as salicylic acid. 

You can as well pair tranexamic acid with other skin-brightening ingredients like vitamin C, azelaic acid, alpha arbutin, kojic acid, licorice extract, or any other skincare ingredients suitable to your skin type, as tranexamic acid is ingredient-friendly and doesn’t conflict with other skincare ingredients. 

Q: How often did you use tretinoin with The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment?

A: While pairing tretinoin with The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment, I used tretinoin every-other-day and at night-time only. That’s to say, while I use The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment everyday (both morning and night), I skip days with tretinoin. 

Example: On Monday, I pair tretinoin with tranexamic acid, on Tuesday I use only tranexamic acid, while I skip tretinoin, on Wednesday, I pair tranexamic acid and tretinoin again, it goes on and on. 

Disclaimer: This is a personal experience with The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment, you may have a whole different experience as skin type differs so as result differs too.

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