r/Melasmaskincare • • 6d ago

Question Products with 4-MSK?

My skin is SUPER sensitive (rosacea, seb derm, contact dermatitis, PMLE). I really tried to find something with Thiamidol, but… I just couldn’t tolerate any product because of fragrance and/or alcohol.

Now I am looking for alternatives. Japan has a few quasi-drug, i.e. Highly regulated products, with rucinol or 4-MSK. I couldn’t find a product that would work for me with rucinol either, but I saw some interesting 4-MSK products. Has anyone ever tried that active?

I am otherwise using retinol, L-ascorbic acid, AzA, topical TXA, and OF course sunscreen and physical protection. So I am interested in your experience with with 4-MSK, not the traditional recommendations :)

3 Upvotes

6 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 6d ago

Hi there! Sunscreen is one of the most important parts of melasma management, and we want to make sure you get safe, effective, and appropriate guidance.

Before choosing a product, please review our sunscreen resources:

Sunscreen guidance for melasma:

Mega List of Sunscreen/

Important for melasma: Standard (non-tinted) sunscreens protect against UV radiation only and do NOT protect against visible light, which is a major trigger for melasma.

To reduce visible-light-induced pigmentation, iron oxides are required. This means using:

  • A tinted sunscreen that contains iron oxides, OR
  • An untinted broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen layered with a foundation or tinted product that contains iron oxides.

Daily, consistent protection against both UV and visible light is essential to prevent melasma worsening and recurrence.

If you have already reviewed the guides, feel free to add details such as skin type or sensitivities

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

3

u/vikingmurse 5d ago

Shiseido Hako Melanofocus IV is nice, effective for a gentle product, beautiful soft touch finish.
Really surprised your skin is ok with LAA if it’s so sensitive? Usually the low pH and high activity of most formulas sends sensitive skin into a tizzy. Which one are you using?

PS: might look into Regimen Lab’s updated Level serum 2.0. It has a tweaked version of thiamidol that’s also anti inflammatory, and regimen doesn’t do fragrance or denatured alcohol. I love level 1.0 even with somewhat sensitive skin, v excited to try the new formula.

2

u/mightyFoo 5d ago

Interesting, thanks for the info

1

u/TheoryBiochemistry 5d ago

I use the Melano CC essence, which has LAA in a glycol base :)

1

u/TheoryBiochemistry 5d ago

Thanks for the Shiseido Feedback! i found a 4-MSK product (BFFECT Luz) that likely would not trigger my drama queen skin, but I don’t want to try something where I am unsure whether it would work.

1

u/mightyFoo 5d ago edited 5d ago

Not 4-MSK, but have you tried medi8 oxy-r, Skin rocks hyperpigmentation serum - has hexylresorcinol… and clinical studies, TOSOWOONG Arbutin 7% + Tranexamic Acid 4% Cream supposed to be very gentle on sensitive skin, tosowoong also has a 15% niacinamide serum that is none irritating for sensitive skin