Cosmetics · Quasi-drug actives
Tranexamic Acid
トラネキサム酸 (Toranekisamu-san)
Also known as: TXA
At a glance
| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Tranexamic Acid |
| Japanese labeling name | トラネキサム酸 |
| Common Japanese notations | トラネキサム酸 |
| CAS number | 1197-18-8 |
| Origin | Synthetic (developed in Japan) |
| Typical functions | Quasi-drug whitening active (cosmetic context), Pharmaceutical use (separate context, antifibrinolytic) |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Approved as a quasi-drug (医薬部外品) whitening active by MHLW. Pharmaceutical use is regulated separately. |
Tranexamic acid is a synthetic lysine analog originally developed in 1962 by Shosuke and Utako Okamoto at Keio University in Japan as an antifibrinolytic pharmaceutical. In cosmetic use, the compound is approved as a quasi-drug whitening active in Japan, where it is positioned around interrupting inflammation-related contributors to hyperpigmentation. The pharmaceutical use and cosmetic use are entirely separately regulated.
Classification
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Product applications
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Medicated whitening products (薬用美白)
- Spot-care treatment products
- Pharmaceutical applications (separate context)
What it is
Tranexamic acid is the synthetic lysine analog 4-(aminomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid. In medicinal use it functions as an antifibrinolytic; in cosmetic use it is positioned around skin tone uniformity and pigment-related concerns.
Typical uses in Japanese products
In Japanese cosmetics, tranexamic acid appears in medicated whitening products, often in serum and lotion formats.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Approved as a quasi-drug whitening active by MHLW. Pharmaceutical applications are separately regulated under prescription frameworks.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Listed in CosIng. Permitted for cosmetic use within applicable concentration ranges. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized for cosmetic use. |
| China | Permitted per IECIC listings. |
| Korea | Permitted under KFDA / MFDS for cosmetic use. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
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Related ingredients
References
- Japan PMDA — quasi-drug active ingredient approval registry
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.