Hyperpigmentation is more than just a cosmetic concern – it can affect self-confidence and significantly impact overall well-being. Pigment spots often appear unexpectedly, can be persistent and are difficult to treat. This makes the desire for a solution that works at the root cause, rather than just on the surface, even stronger. This is where the success story of Thiamidol® begins: Beiersdorf’s patented anti-pigment active designed to help achieve an even and radiant skin tone.
Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common yet most challenging dermatological conditions worldwide. It results from an overproduction of melanin and can be triggered by factors such as UV radiation, hormonal changes or genetics. Pigment spots are highly prevalent across all skin phototypes and can significantly affect quality of life.
Thiamidol® is our patented active ingredient that specifically regulates melanin production. It is clinically proven to effectively reduce all major forms of hyperpigmentation. To date, our research in this field spans over 20 years. Our scientists have identified Thiamidol® from screening over 50,000 substances. Today, Thiamidol® is a central component of numerous product formulations.
Thiamidol® targets the root cause of hyperpigmentation: it blocks tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production in the skin cells. Unlike other actives tested on mushroom tyrosinase, our scientists screened on human tyrosinase to identify Thiamidol® – a highly effective and well-tolerated inhibitor that reduces existing spots and helps prevent new ones.
Thiamidol® is the first active ingredient of its kind that has been specially developed for human tyrosinase. The approach is unique in skin care research and clinically proven: for all skin and photo types, Thiamidol® effectively reduces existing hyperpigmentation and prevents the formation of new spots – from age spots or post-acne marks to severe melasma.
A global consensus of leading dermatologists confirms: Thiamidol® is the only dermocosmetic active ingredient recommended with 100% agreement as first‑line therapy and maintenance treatment for hyperpigmentation. The experts highlight its strong efficacy across all skin tones, setting a new global standard for treatment.
(Published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology, EADV)
Efficacy proven in 120+ clinical studies with over 9,000 participants of all skin types.
“Thiamidol® is the result of years of scientific work and targeted research. Our teams have analyzed thousands of substances to develop an active ingredient that effectively addresses hyperpigmentation while being gentle on the skin – regardless of skin type. This innovation represents the progress that modern skin care can achieve today.”
Chief Scientist Photobiology
When melanocyte activity is increased, more melanin is produced. If this skin pigment is distributed unevenly, dark pigment spots can appear, resulting in an uneven complexion. Various factors can trigger such hyperpigmentation, including:
Thiamidol® acts directly at the root of melanin production. It reversibly inhibits an enzyme that plays a key role in melanin production: human tyrosinase. At the molecular level, the active ingredient fits precisely into the enzyme’s active site, effectively blocking the conversion of tyrosine into precursors of the skin pigment melanin.
With regular use, Thiamidol® significantly reduces melanin formation, and visible improvements can typically be seen after just a few weeks. Over time, it fades existing dark spots and helps prevent new ones from forming. At the same time, Thiamidol® is very gentle on the skin and well tolerated.
Many molecular biologists involved in huge genetic programs in dermatology failed in the past trying to isolate soluble human tyrosinase. Human tyrosinase is a very complex enzyme, highly glycosylated and inserted into the membrane of melanosomes. If you want to have a soluble human tyrosinase for testing you have to express the recombinant enzyme in a cell, cleave off the transmembrane domain, make it secretable to the supernatant of the cells, and keep the enzyme active.
In cooperation with Prof. Röhm from the University in Marburg, a specialist in protein biochemistry, the Beiersdorf lab headed by Dr. Ludger Kolbe succeeded in expressing and isolating soluble human tyrosinase from a human cell line for testing. The results were published in 2013 in the Journal of Biological Chemistry (Cordes et al.).
Thiamidol® reduces all forms of acquired hyperpigmentation in the skin. It does not matter whether the pigment spots appear as a result of medication use, hormonal fluctuations in women, inflammatory processes in the skin, or exposure to sunlight. Because Thiamidol® targets the root cause of hyperpigmentation and inhibits melanin production in the skin, it is equally effective for all types of acquired pigmentation concerns.
Thiamidol®-containing skin care products should not be used on age spots (seborrheic keratoses), moles, or other unexplained pigmented lesions. In such cases, it is advisable to have the skin change examined by a dermatologist.
The efficacy of Thiamidol® on hyperpigmented skin conditions has been proven in more than 120 clinical studies. Products with Thiamidol® have been tested on more than 9,000 participants of all skin and photo types, and there are more than 30 peer-reviewed publications featuring Thiamidol® for the management of hyperpigmentation.
