Cysteamine Cream for Pigmentation

Senté Cysteamine Cyspera Cream DermaQuest MelaQuest Cysteamine Serum

What is Cysteamine Cream?

Cysteamine cream is a skin-lightening agent known for treating hyperpigmentation disorders such as age spots, melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Dermatologists have been recommending it for several years since it has been available in the UK. 

Cyspera Cysteamine Cream was the first brand available in 2019, and it became popular due to published evidence supporting its effectiveness. A few years later, it was discontinued and replaced by Cyspera Intensive which has also been discontinued in the UK.

In 2023, Santé created an alternative version, Senté Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector.

In 2024, Dermaquest launched their Cysteamine products DermaQuest MelaQuest Cysteamine Serum and DermaQuest MelaQuest Cream with Cysteamine these products are different to the original products as they can be left on the skin and no not need to be washed off.

What is the difference between Dermaquest Cystamine Serum and Cream, Cyspera and Cysteamine HSA

The original Cyspera contained 5% Cysteamine cream and came in a 50g tube. Cyspera Intensive, contained 7% Cysteamine cream with added ingredients such as AHAs to enhance pigmentation reduction, Isobionic-Amide, which is an anti-inflammatory B3 derivative and other ingredients to mask the smell slightly because the ingredients could not be combined in the tube it comes in a 30ml dual pump. This product has been discontinued in the UK. These were both mask treatments which needed to be washed off after 15 minutes.

Senté Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector contains 5% Cysteamine Cream in a 50ml tube. It also contains B3 niacinamide and HSA, which in combination improve skin tone by treating pigmentation and reducing redness or inflammation. Senté Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector should be applied like a mask on the problem area and washed off after 15minutes.

DermaQuest MelaQuest Cysteamine Serum and DermaQuest MelaQuest Cream with Cysteamine also contain antioxidants- Glutathione and Ginko Biloba to reduce inflammation and skin sensitivity, a tyrosine inhibitor – Kojic Acid to help reduce pigmentation and Snow Algae, which improves the skin’s collagen and cellular defence.

DermaQuest MelaQuest Cysteamine Serum contains 4% Cysteamine, which is shown to be as effective as prescription 4% hydroquinone and DermaQuest MelaQuest Cream with Cysteamine contains 3% Cysteamine. Both of these products can be left on the skin, which makes your daily routine easier. They still have an aroma, but this is masked by some of the other ingredients. For best results, Dermaquest advises you to use the serum and then the cream twice daily.
Some people may try the serum first on its own and add on the cream if the would like to enhance the results.

Skin Sensitivity with the Different Cysteamine Creams

Cysteamine is known for causing irritation for some users, hence why the latest versions contain ingredients to counteract this.

Sante, however, uses their HSA compound to provide a soothing repair base to the Cysteamine cream, so it is more suitable for sensitive skin and red skin.

Dermaquest uses glutathione and Ginko Biloba to reduce inflammation and skin sensitivity,

How to use the different Cysteamine Creams

For all products: If you have never used it, begin with a patch test. Then, apply every other day to the treatment area and increase to everyday use as tolerated.

For Cyspera and Sente products:

  • Do not wash the skin before application.
  • If necessary to wash, you must wait for one hour before applying Cyspera and 20 minutes before applying Senté Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector
  • Apply a thin layer on the pigmented skin you wish to treat
  • Leave on for 15 minutes
  • Remove by washing the area with a gentle face cleanser.
  • Gently pat your face dry and apply a gentle moisturiser and SPF if in the day

Do not leave on for more than 15 minutes.

  • Intensive phase: Once per day for up to 16 weeks.
  • Maintenance phase: Twice-weekly, once per day, indefinitely.
  • Use a high SPF sunblock to prevent activating the pigmentation.

For Dermaquest Serum and Cream:

For best results, you need to make sure you are consistent and apply products daily.

How does it Cysteamine work?

As the name implies, the cream contains cysteamine, a metabolite of L-cysteine and a natural cellular component. L-cysteamine inhibits the production of melanin in the skin in several different ways, which is why it is so effective.

It works as an Antioxidant and also inhibits the Tyrosinase enzyme, reducing the production of melanin precursors, therefore decreasing pigment production.

There is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that confirmed the efficacy of cysteamine cream in the treatment of epidermal melasma.

A reduction in pigmentation is usually seen after six weeks of consistent use. It takes 8 to 16 weeks of regular use to achieve optimal results

Find out more about other pigmentation treatments at Cheshire Lasers here. 

If you have not used Cysteamine Cream before and want to purchase it. You are welcome to arrange a consultation to advise you on how to use the products and how to add them to your routine.

Cysteamine Cream Consultation form.

Cysteamine Cream Special Offer

This Cheshire Lasers’ has 5% off  Senté Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector with this Coupon Code: CYSTEAMINE

When you make your purchase here:

Senté Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector 50ml