Can you use tranexamic acid with vitamin C?
Yes. There's no known conflict between tranexamic acid and vitamin C, and they've been tested together in the same formula.
Why
They act on the look of dark spots in different ways, and some products combine them. A small pilot study of a nightly cream with 2% tranexamic acid and 2% vitamin C reported only one case of dryness, and a larger study of a serum combining tranexamic acid with a vitamin C derivative found it well tolerated. Research on the pair is still limited, and stronger versions have been linked with more redness and stinging.
How to use them
Use them in the same routine, applying the thinner, water-based product first. If you use them in the morning, finish with broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Sources
- 1Combination Topical Tranexamic Acid and Vitamin C for the Treatment of Refractory Melasma · Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2023
- 2Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Serum Containing Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Vitamin C, and Hydroxy Acid Compared to 4% Hydroquinone in the Management of Melasma · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
General cosmetic information, not medical advice. Written with AI assistance from the sources above; updated October 2026.