Tranexamic Brightening Serum — clear glass dropper on cream

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Actives · Pigmentation

Tranexamic Brightening Serum

3% tranexamic acid + 4% niacinamide + 1% alpha-arbutin

Tranexamic acid is the lab’s quietest brightener — a synthetic lysine derivative used clinically for melasma since the 1980s. We pair it with niacinamide and alpha-arbutin to address every stage of the pigmentation pathway.

BestsellerFragrance-freeNon-photosensitizing

Size15 mLStarter — $5430 mLFull size — $88Two-packSave $24 — $152

$88

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Free US shipping over $50 · 60-day risk-free returns · Same-day if ordered by 2pm PT

Derm-reviewed
Vellum clinical panel
Cruelty-free
Leaping Bunny certified
1,800-ingredient
Screened & excluded

Why these three together

Pigmentation has three stages: melanin production, melanin transfer, and the inflammation that triggers both. Single- ingredient brighteners typically address only one.

Tranexamic acid quiets the upstream signal. Alpha-arbutin inhibits tyrosinase (the enzyme that produces melanin). Niacinamide blocks melanosome transfer into keratinocytes. The three are stacked to cover the full pathway.

None of the three are photosensitizing — meaning you can wear this in the morning without amplifying sun-driven pigmentation. (You still need SPF. Always.)

How to use

Apply two pumps to clean, dry skin morning and evening. Follow with moisturizer; finish mornings with SPF 30+.

Pairing with retinaldehyde: use Tranexamic in the morning, Retinaldehyde 0.3% at night. The two work on different stages of the pigment cycle and the results compound over 8–12 weeks.

Pairing with vitamin C: use the Ascorbic Glow Essence under this serum in the morning — they layer cleanly and the antioxidant defense supports the brightening effect.

Full ingredients

Aqua, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Propanediol, Alpha-Arbutin, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.

Specifications

Actives: 3% tranexamic acid + 4% niacinamide + 1% alpha-arbutin
Vehicle base: Aqueous gel with propanediol
pH: 5.8 – 6.2
Fragrance: Fragrance-free
Vegan: Yes
Sensitive skin: Yes — non-photosensitizing
Cruelty-free: Leaping Bunny certified
Packaging: Clear glass · 30 mL pump

Shipping & returns

Free US shipping on orders over $50. Carbon-offset every package. 60-day risk-free returns: email hello@vellumbeauty.co for a refund — even if the bottle is empty.

Clean-Tested1,800+ ingredient screen

Dermatologist-ReviewedBoard-certified panel

Cruelty-FreeLeaping Bunny certified

Carbon-NeutralClimate Neutral Certified

The pigmentation pathway

Four actives, three points of intervention.

Single-ingredient brighteners hit one stage. Vellum’s tranexamic formula stacks four actives across the upstream signal, the enzyme that produces melanin, and the inflammation that drives both.

Tranexamic acid

Interrupts melanin signaling at the keratinocyte; clinical melasma standard.

Niacinamide

Reduces melanosome transfer; supports the barrier.

Alpha-arbutin

Tyrosinase inhibitor; layered for compounded effect.

0.5%

Licorice root extract

Calms visible inflammation that drives PIH.

Eight-week protocol

How to use it for persistent pigmentation.

Pigmentation work is slow. We’ll email at weeks 2, 4, and 8 with grading prompts so you can track the change.

Week 1 · Photograph the starting point
Take a clear, well-lit photo of the area of concern. Same light, same angle, no makeup. You will not see the change day-to-day — the photo is how you measure it.
Week 1–4 · Twice daily
Two pumps morning and evening, after serum, before moisturizer. Always SPF 30+ in the morning. No skipped days — consistency is what makes tranexamic work.
Week 4 · Re-photograph
Same light, same angle. You may see a softening at the edges of the patches. If so — keep going. If not — keep going. The curve steepens at week six.
Week 8 · The decision point
Most users see clear improvement in tone at week eight. If you don’t, email the lab — we will look at your routine with you and either swap to the Retinaldehyde 0.3% as the evening step or refund the order.

Eight-week consumer study, 60 participants

Real users with persistent PIH and melasma. Measured, not promised.

87%
reported visibly reduced dark patches at 8 weeks
92%
reported a more even base tone at 8 weeks
89%
said they would repurchase
0%
reported irritation or photosensitivity

Independent eight-week consumer study, 60 participants self-reporting persistent PIH or melasma. Diary-graded mornings and evenings; before/after photography at weeks 0, 4, and 8.

184 verified reviews

4.8

93% would recommend to a friend

Write a review

★★★★★

Faded my melasma after a decade of trying

Decade-long melasma from a pregnancy. I have tried prescription hydroquinone, three brands of vitamin C, IPL twice. This is the first non-prescription product that has visibly faded the patches on my cheekbones. Eight weeks in and I’ve stopped wearing concealer.

Carolina V.

Verified buyer · 30 mL · 8 weeks of use

★★★★★

Layers with everything

I was nervous about adding it to my routine because I already use the Retinaldehyde at night. Vellum’s layering card said morning under SPF and that’s what I did. No stinging, no peeling, no flushing — and my acne scars from college are visibly lighter.

Aisha K.

Verified buyer · 30 mL · 12 weeks of use

★★★★☆

Slow but real

It is genuinely slow. I almost gave up at week four because I couldn’t see a difference. Week six I noticed it. Week ten I was a believer. If you’re used to acid sting and immediate glow this isn’t that — but the results stick.

Maya P.

Verified buyer · 30 mL · 10 weeks of use

From our derm advisory panel

“Tranexamic acid has been in the dermatology toolkit for melasma for decades, but at oral doses. The topical form at 3% has quietly become the most-recommended OTC brightener in my practice because patients tolerate it where they don’t tolerate hydroquinone. Vellum’s formulation pairs it intelligently.”

Dr. Lila Okafor, MD, FAADBoard-Certified Dermatologist · Vellum Clinical Panel

The Vellum Circle

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Tranexamic Brightening Serum

Four actives, three points of intervention.

Tranexamic acid

Niacinamide

Alpha-arbutin

Licorice root extract

How to use it for persistent pigmentation.

Week 1 · Photograph the starting point

Week 1–4 · Twice daily

Week 4 · Re-photograph

Week 8 · The decision point

Real users with persistent PIH and melasma. Measured, not promised.

4.8★★★★★

Faded my melasma after a decade of trying

Layers with everything

Slow but real

Most-paired with Tranexamic Brightening.

Vellum Retinaldehyde 0.3%

Ascorbic Glow Essence

Slow Resurface AHA Pad

Morning Veil SPF 50

Join us for early access and $10 off your first order.

4.8