Kojic Acid: The Dermatologists’ Favorite Ingredient for Preventing Dark Spots

3 min readDec 2, 2022

Kojic acid is a chemical substance that originates from mushrooms; however, it can also be produced from fermented rice during the sake-brewing procedure. It is typically used as a spot-fading remedy and is frequently viewed as a gentler alternative to hydroquinone due to its capacity to effectively enter the skin’s tissues and block the formation of melanin.

Kojic acid has the ability to stop browning and can be utilized as a skin brightener, says Dr. Jennifer MacGregor, a Board-Certified Dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology.

Have you tried to eliminate your hyperpigmentation? If so, you need to be aware of kojic acid, which is a skin-lightening ingredient found in most products. Are you curious about what makes this substance so unique? It can heal a wide range of skin problems, including melasma, UV damage, and acne scars.

It is an established and well-researched blocker of tyrosinase, the skin’s melanin-forming protein enzyme, which makes it a common skincare component. In contrast to alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, kojic acid will not help soften your skin by chemically removing the top dead layer of the skin. Rather, it resembles a subdued, less contentious form of hydroquinone. Board-certified dermatologist Evan Rieder, M.D., explained how kojic acid may both brighten and shine skin by preventing the creation of tyrosinase, an ingredient that is required for the production of melanin.

Kojic acid may help you greatly if you have the predisposition to develop an inconsistent, pigmented appearance. According to Dr. MacGregor, “kojic acid is a great ingredient to add for those battling pigment of any kind.” It effectively treats melasma, sun damage, and the usual post-inflammatory pigmentation, or dark patches, which develop after acne, insect bites, or wounds. She continues by saying that it might even help with hyperpigmented under-eye circles.

This ingredient’s main benefits are skin brightening and spot-fading, but it also has a few additional exceptional features:

Melasma treatment: Hormonal imbalance is the cause of the widespread skin disorder melasma. It causes spots on the skin that are dark. By whitening those pigmented spots, kojic acid aids in the treatment of melasma.

Anti-aging: UV-protective kojic acid, which is used to cure sun damage, has anti-aging properties. Your age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles are subsequently diminished, giving you a more youthful appearance.

Scar lightening: Kojic acid can help with acne or other skin injury scars. It would not, however, reduce the thickness of your damaged tissue.

Antibacterial benefits: Kojic acid is also enhanced with antibacterial traits. You can use it to combat a variety of typical bacterial skin illnesses. Kojic acid can thereby eliminate acne brought on by germs.

Antifungal effects: Kojic acid is thought to have antifungal properties. Many antifungal treatments contain it to increase their potency. Ringworm, yeast infections, and candidiasis are just a few of the fungal infections that kojic acid may help you avoid. These fungus infections can be treated using kojic acid soap.

Anyone looking to reduce the appearance of melasma, UV damage, and/or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that follows a blemish can use kojic acid. It’s also an excellent alternative for individuals who wish to avoid or are unable to handle hydroquinone, among the most popular skin-lightening chemicals.

Sources: https://skinkraft.com/blogs/articles/kojic-acid

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/what-kojic-acid-can-do-for-your-skin

https://www.allure.com/story/kojic-acid-skin-care-ingredient-benefits

https://www.instyle.com/news/kojic-acid-skin-care-how-use

https://www.byrdie.com/kojic-acid-for-skin-4782187

Written By: Yaren Ay

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