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 causing irritation for some users. Using a gentle hydrating cleanser and a hydrating cream alongside the product is generally advised.
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.
How to use the different Cysteamine Creams
The instructions for use are exactly the same, except if you need to remove makeup and SPF before applying the treatment, you must wait for one hour before applying Cyspera and 20 minutes before applying Senté Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector.
- For all creams, we advise you not to 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
If you have never used this product before or have sensitive skin, 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 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.
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 6 weeks of consistent use. It takes 8 to 12 weeks of regular use to achieve optimal results.
Contraindications to use:
Cysteamine cream should not be used if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Can I use Cysteamine in the summer?
You can use this treatment any time of year regardless of the intensity of sunlight, it is not a photosensitiser.
I have a dark skin tone can I still use it?
Yes it is suitable for all skin types and skin tones.
What are the side effects and risks?
Local side effects at the site of application may include:
- Temporary heating up or burning sensation and redness that clears within 30 minutes
- More persistent irritation and dryness, which you can treat with an emollient.
A burning sensation and mild redness might occur immediately after application, but it will usually disappear after 30 minutes. This is a normal reaction and may happen during the first few days of application.
No significant side effects, other than light to mild irritation are reported in only a few cases.
In case of sustained redness, irritation or dry-skin, suspend Cysteamine application and carefully hydrate the area with your basic hydration cream. You can then gradually resume Cysteamine application once your skin has recovered — once again, not washing it off your face until it has been on the skin for 15 minutes.
Undesirable side effects are rare if:
- You leave the cream on for longer than 15 minutes of exposure.
- You do not wash your face less than 1 hour before application.
How do I avoid Cysteamine Cream side effects?
You can minimise side-effects by:
- Avoid washing your face just before applying.
(always wait for at least 20mins or 1hr before applying depending on the product you are using) - Avoid prolonged application time use for 15 minutes only.
- Avoiding concomitant use with other strong topical products.
Cheshire Lasers’ prices for Cysteamine Cream
View the Prices for our Cysteamine Creams here:
View an article about the original cysteamine cream with some before and after case studies here.
Find out more from the Cyspera manufacturers’ website here.
Find out more from Senté Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector manufacturer website here
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.
Alternatively, after completing the form, you can book a Cyspera Telephone consultation online here.