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Topical use. Adapalene 0.1% (OTC) or 0.3% (prescription) gel/cream is applied as a thin layer to the whole affected area once daily, usually at night, starting every other day and building to nightly as tolerated. Full benefit takes ~8-12 weeks. There is no oral or systemic dose — it is not ingested. It is most effective combined with benzoyl peroxide. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.

Evening

Adapalene 0.1% gel/cream (OTC), applied nightly to the whole area

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 time

Leave-on topical serum (≈2-5% tranexamic acid)

• For topical (skin) use only — not for ingestion, not for injection
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding — retinoids are generally avoided as a precaution
• Known allergy/sensitivity to adapalene or formulation excipients

• Other irritating actives (other retinoids, AHAs/BHAs)
• Benzoyl peroxide

• Topical use here is for skin only — do not self-medicate with oral tranexamic acid for melasma without a clinician (clotting-risk considerations)
• Known allergy or sensitivity to tranexamic acid or formulation excipients
• Application to broken, irritated, or compromised skin until healed

• Other leave-on brighteners/actives