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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Cysteamine (topical) and Tranexamic Acid (topical) are closely matched across evidence, studies, and safety.
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both Cysteamine (topical) and Tranexamic Acid (topical) have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
Topical cosmetic. Cysteamine 5% cream is typically applied once daily to areas of melasma as a short-contact treatment (left on for ~15 minutes, then washed off) to limit odor and irritation, with daily sunscreen. There is no oral or systemic use in this context. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.
any
Cysteamine 5% cream (short-contact application)
Topical use, typically ~2-5% tranexamic acid in a serum applied to areas of melasma once or twice daily, alongside daily sunscreen. There is no oral or systemic dose in this cosmetic context — the ingested medication is a separate prescription use with clotting-risk considerations. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.
any
Leave-on topical serum (≈2-5% tranexamic acid)
Throughout
8-16 weeks
Throughout
Throughout
Throughout
8-12 weeks
Throughout
Throughout
Evaluation of the efficacy of cysteamine 5% cream in the treatment of epidermal melasma: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
Br J Dermatol (2015) · Rct · n=50
First double-blind placebo-controlled RCT of cysteamine 5% cream for epidermal melasma (n=50), nightly for 4 months
Efficacy of cysteamine cream in the treatment of epidermal melasma, evaluating by Dermacatch as a new measurement method: a randomized double blind placebo controlled study.
J Dermatolog Treat (2018) · Rct · n=40
Second double-blind placebo-controlled RCT (n=40), nightly cysteamine 5% for 4 months, with Dermacatch and Mexameter colorimetry
A comparative study of topical 5% cysteamine versus 4% hydroquinone in the treatment of facial melasma in women.
Int J Dermatol (2020) · Rct · n=40
Multicenter evaluator-blinded head-to-head of cysteamine 5% vs hydroquinone 4% (n=40), nightly for 120 days with sunscreen
Topical tranexamic acid as a promising treatment for melasma.
J Res Med Sci (2014) · Rct · n=50
Double-blind 12-week split-face RCT in 50 women: 3% topical TXA on one side vs 3% hydroquinone + 0.01% dexamethasone on the other, twice daily
The effectiveness and safety of 3% tranexamic acid cream vs. 4% hydroquinone cream for mixed-type melasma in skin of color: a double-blind, split-face, randomized controlled trial.
Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat (2024) · Rct · n=20
Double-blind 8-week split-face RCT in 20 skin-of-color subjects comparing 3% topical TXA cream vs 4% hydroquinone cream
Tranexamic acid as a therapeutic option for melasma management: meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
J Dermatolog Treat (2024) · Meta analysis
Meta-analysis of 22 RCTs (1280 patients) of TXA delivered orally, topically, or by injection for melasma
Both Cysteamine (topical) and Tranexamic Acid (topical) are closely matched — the best choice depends on your specific health goals.
Both Cysteamine (topical) and Tranexamic Acid (topical) score equally (70) for even skin tone.
No known interactions between Cysteamine (topical) and Tranexamic Acid (topical) have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.