Melasma Home Remedies: Aloe Vera, Glutathione, Tranexamic Acid

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Skin Care

Home Remedies for Melasma

Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — Written by Scott Frothingham — Updated on September 9, 2025

Aloe vera
Tranexamic acid
Glutathione
Sun protection
Is there a cure?
Takeaway

Home remedies that may help manage melasma include aloe vera, glutathione, and more. Speak with a doctor for advice on remedies they recommend alongside medical treatments.

Melasma is a skin disorder that causes discolored patches of skin on areas of the face exposed to the sun.

Melasma’s symmetrical dark patches are brown to gray-brown in color. They can occur on the:

forehead
cheeks
chin
nose
upper lip

You can work with a doctor to create a suitable treatment plan for melasma. Treatments may include a combination of medical treatments and home remedies.

Read on for more information about home remedies that may help treat melasma.

Aloe vera

A 2017 study on pregnant people with melasma found that using a topical liposome-encapsulated aloe vera preparation for 5 weeks significantly improved their melasma.

Most people tolerate aloe vera well. However, in some people it can cause:

a burning sensation
itchiness
a rash
eczema

It is best to apply a small amount of aloe vera to the skin first to see if there is a reaction.

»Learn more:Uses for Aloe Vera

Tranexamic acid

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a promising oral therapy for melasma. This acid is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine.

A 2018 review suggests that TXA may be suitable for refractory melasma or melasma that does not respond to other treatments, such as hydroquinone and combination topical therapy.

Glutathione

Glutathione is an antioxidant that comprises three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. It’s present in most mammals.

Both topical and oral glutathione may be beneficial for people with melasma. Topical glutathione can lighten specific areas of the skin, while oral glutathione affects the skin more widely.

However, glutathione may only be suitable for short-term use due to the risk of side effects. More research is necessary to better understand the possible benefits and risks of glutathione in people with melasma.

»Learn more:Natural Ways to Increase Your Glutathione Levels

Sun protection

Protecting the skin is important for everybody, and in people with melasma it may help prevent the condition from worsening.

Tips that may help include:

avoiding sun exposure where possible
wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 30
wearing a wide-brimmed hat

Is there a cure for melasma?

There is currently no cure for melasma.

However, medical treatments and home remedies can help manage the condition.

Your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist. They can confirm a diagnosis and suggest medical treatments to even your skin tone.

Some medical treatments that may help include:

skin lightening creams
chemical peels
microdermabrasion
laser treatment

The bottom line

Some home remedies that may help manage melasma include aloe vera, tranexamic acid (TXA), and glutathione.

It is also important to protect your skin from the sun. This can include wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 or above, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and avoiding spending time outdoors.

While there is no cure for melasma, a doctor can help you create a suitable treatment plan, which may include a combination of medical treatments and home remedies.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Aloe vera. (2025).https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera
Bala HR, et al. (2018). Oral tranexamic acid for the treatment of melasma: A review.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29677015/
Ghafarzadeh M, et al. (2017). Clinical efficacy of liposome-encapsulated Aloe vera on melasma treatment during pregnancy.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28139161/
Grimes PE, et al. (2019). New oral and topical approaches for the treatment of melasma.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352647518300431
Melasma. (2024).https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/melasma
Minich DM, et al. (2019). A review of dietary (phyto)Nutrients for glutathione support.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6770193/
Sarkar R, et al. (2024). Glutathione as a skin-lightening agent and in melasma: a systematic review.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijd.17535

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — Written by Scott Frothingham — Updated on September 9, 2025

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media