Dr. Melaxin Astaxanthin Extra Whitening Ampoule
Niacinamide is fourth on this 30ml ampoule's list and tranexamic acid fifth, the standard Korean tone pairing, with the astaxanthin the name points at thirteenth.
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- Suited to
- Normal skinDry skinDull-looking skinTargeted-active routines
- Helps with
- A concentrated treatment stepTargeted concerns before moisturizerLayering under a creamDaily AM or PM use
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- 30-day returns
- Free US shipping on orders of $100 or more
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How it works
The Astaxanthin Extra Whitening Ampoule is a 30ml ampoule, used after toner and before moisturizer, morning and evening. The active it is built around is Niacinamide, named fourth on its own ingredient list. The same list carries Tranexamic Acid, Adenosine and Astaxanthin, so the active is not the only thing on it worth naming. How much of the Niacinamide stays on the skin, and for how long, is decided by the ampoule format rather than by the list alone. This is the Original Korean Formula, the ampoule Dr. Melaxin sells in Korea, Niacinamide and all.
Key benefits
- Niacinamide, the active this ampoule is built around
- Tranexamic Acid and Adenosine on the same list, actives
- Astaxanthin and Ascorbic Acid on the same list, antioxidants
- Tocopherol and Thioctic Acid further down the same list
- Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract and Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract further down the same list
- Niacinamide named fourth on the manufacturer list printed on this page
Key actives
Niacinamideactive
Niacinamide is vitamin B3, and it is the most studied active in Korean formulation. On this ampoule's own ingredient list it is named fourth.
Tranexamic Acidactive
Tranexamic Acid is a synthetic amino acid derivative used for the look of stubborn discolouration and post-blemish marks. It is water soluble, stable and comfortable next to niacinamide, which is how it is usually paired. It is named fifth on this ampoule's list, alongside Niacinamide.
Adenosineactive
Adenosine is a nucleoside that Korea's own cosmetic authority recognises as a wrinkle-care functional ingredient, which is why it appears on so many Korean lists at a low level. It is used for the look of fine lines and is stable and well tolerated. It is named twelfth on this ampoule's list, alongside Niacinamide.
Astaxanthinantioxidant
Astaxanthin is a deep red antioxidant from microalgae, the pigment that makes salmon pink. It is oil soluble, colours a formula noticeably, and is used as an antioxidant. It is named thirteenth on this ampoule's list, alongside Niacinamide.
Ascorbic Acidantioxidant
Ascorbic Acid is pure vitamin C, the most researched form and also the least stable: it needs a low pH and airtight packaging to stay active. It is an antioxidant used for the look of dullness and uneven tone. The panel names it twenty-first on this ampoule's list, beside Niacinamide.
Where does this ampoule go in my routine?
After toner and before moisturizer, morning and evening. Anything thinner than an ampoule goes on before it, and anything richer goes on after. If you are adding it to a routine you already like, give it a week on its own first, so what you see is the Niacinamide and not three changes at once.
Is this the Korean-market ampoule or a US version?
The Korean-market one, Niacinamide and all. We match this ampoule to its Korean barcode before it reaches the shelf, which is the check that tells you which market release you are holding.
What else is on the list besides Niacinamide?
Tranexamic Acid, Adenosine and Astaxanthin. The order they are printed in on this ampoule's panel is the order on the box, so you can see where Niacinamide sits relative to them. Further down the same panel: Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol and Thioctic Acid.
- Ships from
- California
Duties are prepaid. Nothing is owed at delivery. Returns are accepted for 30 days, by mail.
Orders ship from our California warehouse, dispatched within 2 business days, and arrive in 3 to 5 days. Shipping is free on orders of $100 or more.
We split shipments free, so one out-of-stock item never holds up the rest of your order.
Where this unit came from
- 1Seoul
Bought as Korean-market stock - 2Customs
Duty paid by us before it enters the US - 3California
Ships domestically, no international leg
We stock the version of a formula that is sold in Korea, not the release a brand prepares for another market under the same name.
Every unit keeps its original barcode and batch code intact, so the unit in your hands can be checked against the brand’s own records.
Import duties are paid by us before the parcel reaches you, so nothing is owed at the door, and returns run for 30 days.
Every claim on this page traces to the unit in the box, the barcode, the batch code and the price you can read for yourself.
Payment and security
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How to use
- Use the Astaxanthin Extra Whitening Ampoule after toner and before moisturizer, morning and evening.
- Apply a thin layer to your cleansed face with gentle rubbing until completely absorbed. Apply twice on areas with more blemishes.
- It sits between the toner and the moisturizer, and it is the layer most worth leaving alone for a minute before anything covers it.
- Twice a day, every day. Do not use it as a spot application on one area; an ampoule is a routine step, not a targeted dose.
Worth knowing
- Patch test on a small area before full-face use if you have known sensitivities.
- Discontinue use if irritation, redness, or discomfort develops.
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Korean-market original
The Original Korean Formula ampoule from Dr. Melaxin, 30ml formulated with Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid, held in the United States and shipped domestically.
Verify your unit when it arrives
Verify your unit when it arrives
Korean-market stock with the original barcode and batch code intact, exactly as it left Korea.
Match the batch code on the box against the code printed on the bottle or tube itself; the two are stamped separately and should agree.
On the unit itself
- The Korean-market barcode, unaltered from the retail package.
- The manufacturer’s batch code, exactly as the maker printed it.
정품Genuine article, Korean-market stock
What professionals say
What professionals say
What skin-care professionals say about the key actives in this formula, quoted from the medical sources linked beside each.
Topical tranexamic acid 5% cream is under investigation in the treatment of melasma and is showing promising results in the treatment of epidermal-type melasma.
Faisal R AliConsultant Dermatologist, DermNet NZ Using topical vitamin C can result in less cell damage and better-looking skin.
Melissa Piliang, MDDermatologist, Cleveland Clinic
1 more professional perspective
Niacinamide helps reduce the appearance of pores in a few ways. By strengthening the skin barrier and improving elasticity, pores appear less noticeable and more even.
Ashlyn YankeAesthetician, Cleveland Clinic
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