Kojic Acid Benefits for Lightening Skin & More
Looking to get rid of dark spots and give your skin a
lighter, brighter look? Say hello to kojic acid — a cosmetic ingredient that’s
getting attention lately for its skin-lightening and antioxidant properties.
Kojic acid may serve as an alternative to hydroquinone, the
primary ingredient used in many skin-lightening products, and glycolic acid, or
the ingredients are used together. Kojic acid has become a well-known
ingredient in topicals used for hyperpigmentation, melasma and dark spots, as
it works to reduce the production of melanin in the skin.
What Is Kojic Acid?
Kojic acid is a chemical that’s produced from different
species of fungi and found as a by-product in fermented rice and soy sauce.
It’s used topically to reduce the appearance of dark spots, brighten skin and
promote healthy aging.
Its main function in cosmetology is to prevent the formation
of tyrosine, an amino acids that’s required to produce melanin, a pigment that
affects skin color.
You can find the metabolite as an ingredient in skin creams,
lotions and soaps. Research indicates that kojic acid and its derivatives have
antioxidant, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, UV-protector and
skin-lightening effects on the skin.
Types/Varieties
Kojic acid is used in cosmetic products in concentrations
between 1 percent to 4 percent, but starting with concentrations at or below 2
percent is recommended, especially for products that are left on the skin and
not washed away.
You may find it on the ingredient list of several types of
beauty and body products, including:
• Soaps and
cleansers
• Creams
• Serums
• Powders
• Lotions
• Face and
body oils
• Face
masks
Generally, kojic acid has a poor absorption rate, so it sits
on the surface of the skin. There are some products containing the acid that
are left on the skin, such as serums and lotions, and some that are washed
away, like face cleansers.
Benefits/Uses
1. Works to Lighten Skin
Studies indicate that kojic acid slows down tyrosinase
activity, which is required for melanin formation. This allows it to suppress
hyperpigmentation by reducing melanin formation or stopping pigment production.
Research shows that people use over-the-counter products
containing kojic acid to lighten skin, particularly dark areas or patches of
discoloration.