Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesBenefitsHow Often to UsePrecautions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Uses

Benefits

How Often to Use

Precautions

Kojic acidis a product used to lightendark spotson the skin. It is often marketed as a Japanese product made from fermented rice or fungi. It comes in many forms like soap, lotions, and serums, and is also known for itsantimicrobialproperties.

This article will discuss kojic acid’s uses and benefits. It will also cover the potential downsides to the product.

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A person uses a kojic acid product on their face, looking into mirror

Japanese Kojic Acid: Ingredient Uses

Is Kojic Acid Made With a Fungus?

Medical

There are many theoretical medical uses for kojic acid. Research reports that it has shown promise for the following properties:

While there is promise for kojic acid, there needs to be more research to prove its effectiveness.

Cosmetic

Kojic acid has preservative properties and is a shelf-life enhancer in cosmetic products. It is typically used withalpha-hydroxy acidto lighten freckles and age spots. Kojic acid’s cosmetic uses include:

Benefits of Kojic Acid on Skin

Lighteningdark spotson the skin is the primary benefit of kojic acid. Below is an explanation of what to expect before and after using kojic acid on theskin.

Before

People who havedark spotscalled hyperpigmentation may benefit from kojic acid. Hyperpigmentation is very common and can happen to anyone. It occurs from sun exposure that causes increased areas of melanin. Hyperpigmentation can appear due to:

After

Kojic acid will lighten dark spots on the skin. The success will vary based on how long it was used, the concentration of kojic acid used, and other skin lighteners used in conjunction with kojic acid.

It’s important to use sun protection when using kojic acid. This will help keep dark spots from forming or worsening and can help reduceirritationfrom the kojic acid.

Skin Protection When Using Kojic Acid

Everyone needs to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Here are the best ways to protect your skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology:

How Often to Use Kojic Acid

Kojic acid has several formulations, including serums, soaps, and lotions. Each brand and formulation will contain different strengths of kojic acid. Because of this variation, there is no single guideline on how often to use kojic acid, so follow product directions.

A 2013 study foundmelasmadecreased with a kojic acid preparation applied once per day at nighttime.

Time to Desired Effects

Skin will not lighten immediately with kojic acid. People have reported improvement within a couple of weeks, but there is no research to support this timeline. A 2022 article review reports that it takes approximately 12 weeks to see results.

Should Anyone Not Use Kojic Acid?

Kojic acid has many positive benefits for those looking to lighten dark spots on their skin. But some downsides may prevent some people from using it.

People with sensitive skin can have side effects with kojic acid. These side effects include:

These side effects tend to occur in those who have used concentrations higher than 1% kojic acid and are using kojic acid for long periods.

Summary

Kojic acid is a product used in cosmetics to lighten dark spots on the skin (hyperpigmentation) from conditions like melasma, scarring, and acne. It is found as a lotion, serum, or soap. It can cause skin irritation, so use it cautiously and consult with a healthcare provider if you have other medical or skin conditions.

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zilles JC, dos Santos FL, Kulkamp‐Guerreiro IC, Contri RV.Biological activities and safety data of kojic acid and its derivatives: a review.Experimental Dermatology. 2022;31(10):1500-1521. doi:10.1111/exd.14662Saeedi M, Eslamifar M, Khezri K.Kojic acid applications in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2019;110:582-593. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.006Phasha V, Senabe J, Ndzotoyi P, Okole B, Fouche G, Chuturgoon A.Review on the use of kojic acid—a skin-lightening ingredient.Cosmetics. 2022;9(3):64. doi:10.3390/cosmetics9030064American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Practice safe sun.Deo K, Dash K, Sharma Y, Virmani N, Oberai C.Kojic acid vis-a-vis its combinations with hydroquinone and betamethasone valerate in melasma: a randomized, single blind, comparative study of efficacy and safety.Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(4):281. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.113940

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zilles JC, dos Santos FL, Kulkamp‐Guerreiro IC, Contri RV.Biological activities and safety data of kojic acid and its derivatives: a review.Experimental Dermatology. 2022;31(10):1500-1521. doi:10.1111/exd.14662Saeedi M, Eslamifar M, Khezri K.Kojic acid applications in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2019;110:582-593. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.006Phasha V, Senabe J, Ndzotoyi P, Okole B, Fouche G, Chuturgoon A.Review on the use of kojic acid—a skin-lightening ingredient.Cosmetics. 2022;9(3):64. doi:10.3390/cosmetics9030064American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Practice safe sun.Deo K, Dash K, Sharma Y, Virmani N, Oberai C.Kojic acid vis-a-vis its combinations with hydroquinone and betamethasone valerate in melasma: a randomized, single blind, comparative study of efficacy and safety.Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(4):281. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.113940

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Zilles JC, dos Santos FL, Kulkamp‐Guerreiro IC, Contri RV.Biological activities and safety data of kojic acid and its derivatives: a review.Experimental Dermatology. 2022;31(10):1500-1521. doi:10.1111/exd.14662Saeedi M, Eslamifar M, Khezri K.Kojic acid applications in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2019;110:582-593. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.006Phasha V, Senabe J, Ndzotoyi P, Okole B, Fouche G, Chuturgoon A.Review on the use of kojic acid—a skin-lightening ingredient.Cosmetics. 2022;9(3):64. doi:10.3390/cosmetics9030064American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Practice safe sun.Deo K, Dash K, Sharma Y, Virmani N, Oberai C.Kojic acid vis-a-vis its combinations with hydroquinone and betamethasone valerate in melasma: a randomized, single blind, comparative study of efficacy and safety.Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(4):281. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.113940

Zilles JC, dos Santos FL, Kulkamp‐Guerreiro IC, Contri RV.Biological activities and safety data of kojic acid and its derivatives: a review.Experimental Dermatology. 2022;31(10):1500-1521. doi:10.1111/exd.14662

Saeedi M, Eslamifar M, Khezri K.Kojic acid applications in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2019;110:582-593. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.006

Phasha V, Senabe J, Ndzotoyi P, Okole B, Fouche G, Chuturgoon A.Review on the use of kojic acid—a skin-lightening ingredient.Cosmetics. 2022;9(3):64. doi:10.3390/cosmetics9030064

American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Practice safe sun.

Deo K, Dash K, Sharma Y, Virmani N, Oberai C.Kojic acid vis-a-vis its combinations with hydroquinone and betamethasone valerate in melasma: a randomized, single blind, comparative study of efficacy and safety.Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(4):281. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.113940

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