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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.

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

What is the difference between Cyspera and Cysteamine HSA

The original Cyspera contained 5% Cysteamine cream and came in a 50g tube.

Cyspera Intensive, which contains 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.

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.

Skin Sensitivity with the Different Cysteamine Creams

Cyspera was known for irritating some users. A gentle hydrating cleanser and a hydrating cream alongside the product is generally advised.

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

How to use the different Cysteamine Creams

The instructions for use are the same, except if you need to remove makeup and SPF before applying the treatment. The time you must wait after cleaning varies.

• For all products, we advise you not to wash the skin before application unless you need to remove makeup or SPF.
• 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.

If you have never used this product before, begin with a patch test.
Then, apply every other day to the treatment area, increase to everyday use as tolerated.
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 best results, you need to make sure you are consistent and apply it daily for the full 15 minutes.

How does 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.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial confirmed the efficacy of cysteamine cream in treating epidermal melasma.

A reduction in pigmentation is usually seen after six weeks of consistent use. To achieve optimal results, it takes 8 to 12 weeks of regular use.