Eucerin’s Thiamidol blocks pigment production by inhibiting the enzyme known as tyrosinase. This reduces melanin production, which gives pigment to conditions such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
While other active ingredients for hyperpigmentation provide similar benefits, this skin active does so while being gentle on your skin.
Thiamidol vs Hydroquinone
Other skin actives like Hydroquinone take effect by bleaching your skin. This ingredient reduces the number of melanocytes present in your skin - the cells responsible for producing melanin.
However, this skin active may lead to irritation for already dry and sensitive skin types.
Thiamidol, on the other hand, is a gentler solution that suits sensitive skin types too. It has minimal side effects, making it ideal for long-term use.
In terms of efficacy, studies established that 0.2% Thiamidol provided similar melasma improvement compared to 4% hydroquinone cream. It can be used daily, morning and night, as per your skin regimen.
Thiamidol vs Cosmelan 2
Ingredients, such as Niacinamide (vitamin B3), Ascorbic acid, Azelaic acid, Arbutin, Retinol (weak), Kojic acid, Cysteamine, HQ-hydroquinone, and botanicals such as licorice root extract, bearberries are solutions that block tyrosinase too.
You can find some of them within Cosmelan 2, a mix of pigment correctors such as azelaic acid, kojic acid, phytic acid, retinyl palmitate & niacinamide.
However, no new studies compare the efficacy of the two ingredients as of 2025.
Thiamidol vs Retinol
Thiamidol for hyperpigmentation directly targets tyrosinase, the enzyme that triggers melanin production.
Retinol on the other hand boosts your skin cell turnover rate, which helps deal with uneven skin tone and texture.
Thiamidol has proven to be an effective solution for hyperpigmentation such as melasma or acne scars.
With a gentler formulation, the active ingredient exhibits rare and limited side effects.
Retinol on the other hand is known to cause irritation in some users.
Thiamidol vs Niacinamide
Thiamidol and niacinamide both work to help you with even skin, just in different manners.
While Thiamidol regulates tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production, niacinamide stops the transfer of melanin to keratinocytes, which make up the top layer of your skin.
With its gentler formulation, studies show that Thiamidol can be used even few times a day and be well tolerated by the skin while showing effective results.
Thiamidol vs Vitamin C
While Thiamidol and vitamin C, both work by inhibiting tyrosinase, vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant that helps with overall skin brightening.
However, vitamin C is difficult to use in its most potent form given its unstable nature and may irritate some skin types.
Thiamidol, on the other hand, can be easily infused in serums, creams, sun protection, and even under-eye treatment, making it a skincare staple.