Thiamidol

What is the summary?

• Thiamidol is a novel pigment corrector made by Eucerin
• This ingredient is active against melasma pigment
• Thiamidol is gentle on the skin, with no long term effects
• This ingredient has less irritating properties compared to hydroquinone
• It has similar efficacy compared to 4% hydroquinone
• This can be used in the am or pm 

What is thiamidol?

Thiamidol is an active ingredient known for its skin-lightening properties, primarily used to reduce hyperpigmentation. It works by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, which is crucial in melanin production, thus helping to lighten melasma pigmentation.

Thiamidol is a patented ingredient developed by Beiersdorf, and it has gained attention for being both effective and gentle on the skin compared to other common depigmenting agents like hydroquinone. 

Studies have shown that Thiamidol is effective in treating conditions such as melasma, with fewer side effects like irritation or allergic reactions, making it a good alternative for individuals with sensitive skin. It is  found in over-the-counter skin care products including  Eucerin Anti-pigmentation dual serum & Nivea Cellular Luminous 630. 

Its effectiveness has been compared to stronger treatments, such as hydroquinone, and has shown similar efficacy with fewer adverse effects.

How good is it for pigment & what types of pigment can thiamidol treat?

Thiomidol ranks in one of the most promising fights against pigmentation for 2025 & beyond. It can potentially treat the following types of pigmentation. 

• Melasma
• Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Sun & age related pigmentation
• Ethnic skin lightening & brightening

How long before I see results?

Eucerin Anti-pigment serum takes 2 weeks to work, best results are seen in 4 to 12 weeks of continued use. Eucerin (the brand that makes thiamidol) claims up to 75% reduction in pigmentation in 12 weeks. 

*Combination therapy with pico lasers & or novel peels will give better & faster results.

How often should I use it?

Thiamidol can be used in 3 ways. The best way depends on your aims, your skin sensitivity & your current skin care routine. 

1. Daily, morning or night. Most popular & on-label as guided by Eucerin. 
2. With other skin care products Off label, mix thiamidol with other pigment correctors such as azelaic acid, vitamin C, arbutin. Absorption & bioavailability unknown with this method. 
3. In a pulsed or skin cycling manner, once every second to fourth day, or pulsed over the weekend. This off label use of thiamidol cycles other pigment correctors. The choice depends on your physician. 

Does thiamidol have any side effects?

Unlike hydroquinone the side effects of thiamidol are limited & rare. It has less skin irritation compared to HQ (at 4%) & unlike HQ it does not cause paradoxical hyperpigmentation nor does it have resistance. 

What is the best brand that has thiamidol?

This laboratory made molecule is patented by Eucerin, which means they own the ingredient, hence products are limited. As of 2025 the products that contains thiamidol ar –

Eucerin Anti Pigment Dual Serum. It is available online & costs less than $70.
Nivea Cellular Luminous $52. 

What is an example of a skin care routine using thiamidol for treating melasma?

A simple melasma skincare routine is as follows: 

AM: Ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, SPF

Midday: Sunscreen reapplication, lotion, stick or spray.

PM: Thiamidol 0.2% nightly- either Nivea Cellular Luminous 630 or Elucent Anti-pigment dual serum.

Note: The greatest traction of any melasma skincare routine is the correct application of sunscreen. This has a much greater impact on melasma than any marketing objective of any skin care ingredient. 

What other types of pigment can thiamidol treat?

Eucerin claims efficacy against-

• Melasma
• Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation post acne
• Age & sun spots

Efficacy is increased with SPF use in addition to lasers & chemical peels.

What is better thiamidol or hydroquinone?

Recent studies have shown that thiamidol has similar efficacy compared to 4% hydroquinone, which is a bold statement. 4% HQ is twice as strong as over the counter hydroquinone such as superfade. 

The advantage of thiamidol is that there are no long term side effects with this molecule. Short term side effects such as skin irritation is less with this ingredient (compared to HQ). 

What is the science behind thiamidol?

Thiamidol blocks pigment production by inhibiting the enzyme known as tyrosinase. This reduces melanin production, which gives pigment to conditions such as melasma & post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. 

Other ingredients that block tyrosinase include-

• Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
• Ascorbic acid
• Azelaic acid
• Arbutin
• Retinol (weak)
• Kojic acid
• Cysteamine
• HQ-hydroquinone 
• Botanicals such as licorice root extract, bearberries

Which is better; Cosmelan 2 or thiamidol?

There’s quite a price point difference between each. Cosmelan 2 is a mix of pigment correctors including azelaic acid, kojic acid, phytic acid, retinyl palmitate & niacinamide. 

Cosmelan 2 is best used after lasers or novel Cosmelan peels. 

As of 2025, there are no head to head studies comparing both formulations. 

What is the difference between Eucerin & Nivea ?

Eucerin Anti Pigment Dual Serum & Nivea Cellular Luminous are made by the same company. They both contain 0.2% thiamidol, & both take time to work. 

What do the studies say about thiamidol for melasma?

Several studies have explored the efficacy of Thiamidol in treating melasma & other hyperpigmentation conditions.

‘Efficacy and safety of topical isobutylamido thiazolyl resorcinol (Thiamidol) vs. 4% hydroquinone cream for facial melasma: an evaluator-blinded, randomized controlled trial.’Lima PB et al. Published May 2021.

This clinical study compared the effectiveness of 0.2% Thiamidol with 4% hydroquinone in treating melasma. One participant from the hydroquinone group withdrew from the study due to reasons unrelated to adverse effects. The average age of participants was 43 years, with 86% having skin phototypes III-IV. Both the Thiamidol & hydroquinone groups showed significant improvements in mMASI, MELASQoL, and color contrast scores (P < 0.01). The mean reductions in mMASI scores were 43% (CI: 35–50%) for Thiamidol and 33% (CI: 23–42%) for hydroquinone. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of mMASI, MELASQoL, color contrast, and GAIS scores (P ≥ 0.09). GAIS analysis showed an 84% improvement (CI: 67–97%) in the Thiamidol group and 74% (CI: 61–93%) in the hydroquinone group. Mild adverse effects were observed in the Thiamidol group, while two participants (8%) in the hydroquinone group experienced allergic contact dermatitis.

Conclusion: The results suggest that 0.2% Thiamidol provided similar melasma improvement compared to 4% hydroquinone cream. Thiamidol may be a suitable option for patients who cannot tolerate or do not respond to hydroquinone.

Topical Thiamidol for Hyperpigmentation: Another study demonstrated that Thiamidol reduced hyperpigmentation in as little as four weeks, with continuous improvement over 12 weeks. It was particularly effective in reducing dark spots and preventing their recurrence without the irritation commonly seen with other depigmenting agents like hydroquinone .

Multicenter Clinical Trial: A multicenter trial showed that Thiamidol significantly reduced melasma after 12 weeks of treatment. Patients reported an 84% improvement, and its tolerability made it a strong alternative for those who experience irritation with harsher chemicals.

Can I use thiamidol long term?

Unlike hydroquinone, thiamidol can be used long term without any complications. The choice of nightly use or pulsed therapy depends on your clinical presentation. 

Can thiamidol be used in pregnancy?

As of 2025, thiamidol has no pregnancy rating. 

The safe list: Niacinamide, azelaic acid, vitamin C
The avoid list: Retinol, tretinoin, HQ