Inkey list tranexamic acid before and after

I have a few hyperpigmented spots and dark spots. It’s a tad embarrassing to admit, but I have to be honest. I currently use niacinamide, alpha arbutin, vitamin c, retinol, glycolic acid, and other actives in my skincare routine. 

While I have noticed an overall brightening effect and smooth texture of my skin, the stubborn spots on my face are still there. Sure, they fade a tad and don’t get worse, but they’re still there, mocking me. 

Tranexamic acid is new to me but not new to skincare. It’s known for combating dark spots, brightening, and evening out skin tone and texture. I am a huge fan of The Ordinary; most of the skincare products I currently use are from them. I find their products effective, low on filler, direct, and affordable. However, they do not offer Tranexamic acid in their lineup (I wish they would!). 

I’m new to The Inkey, and I heard great things about their products. So when I found out they sell Tranexamic acid, I knew I had to try it out. 

The Specifics:

Brand: The Inkey List

Claims: “This overnight treatment targets hyperpigmentation, uneven patches, and dark spots. It brightens your skin’s complexion, as well as aids the reduction of dark spots and uneven skin tone. Formulated with 2% Tranexamic Acid, 2% Acai Berry extract to promote even skin tone, as well as 2% skin brightening hero Vitamin C, it also boosts overall skin brightness and evens skin tone.” (x) 

Ingredients: Aqua (Water/ Eau), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tranexamic Acid, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, 1-Methylhydanto- in-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.

Affordability: $18.99 CDN for 1oz/30ml. 

Condition of my skin: I have a few spots of hyperpigmentation and from sun damage. I also have a few healing blemishes on my cheeks. 

Skin prep: Double cleanse, homemade green tea and witch hazel toner, sheet mask, eye cream, The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 serum, snail mucin, COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid on my nose. 

How do I use this product?:  I use this product as the last step in my evening routine, omitting facial oils and moisturizers. The Inkey instructs consumers to use this product as the last step and not use any other product atop it. I use two full pumps to cover my face and neck area.

Smell: I am not a fan of the scent of this product. It smells of burnt rubber, the interior of a new car, and plastic. The scent fades as it absorbs into the skin, but I find it overwhelming. 

Texture: A thick clear gel. 

How does it leave my face?: Once absorbed into the skin, it leaves the face matte and dry. I found it to be a tad drying the first few times I used this product, but I learned to really hydrate my skin before using this. If you have dry skin, I would recommend using a sheet mask, hyaluronic acid, and other hydrators beneath this treatment. 

How does my face feel afterward?: The next morning, my face feels soft. 

Does it meet its claims/results?: This treatment did brighten and even out my skin tone. It didn’t erase my dark spots but it did lighten them. I ran out of product and was waiting for my second bottle to arrive in the mail and noticed that the lightening effect stopped immediately after stopping this treatment. To see great results, I have a feeling you’d have to continually use this product every night forever. I did with my first bottle but now I alternate with other actives at night. 

Love or hate?:  I like this product but I don’t love it. I like the feel of the gel and the fact that this is marketed as ‘Tranexamic Acid’ with no fillers. What I hate is the plastic packaging. I’m used to glass bottles and minimal plastic packaging with my skincare products but I find this product to have excessive plastic tubing. I also don’t like the fact that I can’t see how much product I have remaining in the bottle/tube like I can with The Ordinary products. I know, I know. I’m not comparing the companies but I have my preferences. 

Repurchase: Yes. This is the only Tranexamic product on the market (that I’m aware of) that is affordable and easily accessible with no hidden fillers or weird ingredients. I’m already on my second bottle and will continue to repurchase this treatment when I run out. 

Recommend: Yes, I recommend this product but don’t expect instant or miraculous results. It takes time and patience to see small results. If you have dry skin, I recommend you hydrate your skin before using this treatment. I do think this product would be good for all skin types and I have even used this treatment on blemished and broken skin and found it to be non-irritating. 

Final thoughts: I’m on my second bottle, and I’m still on the fence about this treatment. I like it but I’m not in love with it. I know many people on Reddit and in Sephora reviews have raved great things about this treatment but I haven’t had miraculous or fantastic results yet. After regular use, I found my skin tone was more even and brighter. This doesn’t reduce or completely fade dark spots but it does prevent them from becoming darker. For that reason, I will continue to use this treatment. 

• mattifying gel texture 
• brightens and evens out skin tone
• doesn’t reduce the look of dark spots but minimally fades them with continued use
• doesn’t pill and layers well on top of other skincare products
• is non-irritating
• smells of burnt rubber and plastic
• plastic packaging