In the quest to find the perfect ingredient that can even out your skin tone by lightening the skin in certain areas (so that it matches the rest of our body) yet does not harm you at the same time, many come to kojic acid.
What is kojic acid?
Kojic acid is a natural acid produced and collected by different sorts of fungi. yes, it doesn’t sound lovely but the reality is that it actually works in getting to the root of the problem with hyper-pigmentation and other stubborn areas on your skin which seem to be darker than the rest of your body.
The great news is that kojic acid hasn’t just been tried and tested as a ‘whitening agent’ but there is also a asignificant amount of sicentific proof that it actually works very well in lightening your skin.
Hydroquinone is more potent in it’s melanin-reducing effects but the safety of using this chemical is not exactly confirmed which is why so many people are out there looking for alternatives.
HOW DOES KOJIC ACID WHITEN SKIN?
Kojic acid is a tyrosinase inhibitor. This enables it to stop melanin production in your skin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for causing the darkening of skin. So when kojic acid stops melanin production it tackles the root of hyperpigmentation and significantly lightens the desired area.
When you compare kojic acid and hydroquinone, hydroquinone is generally faster at fading dark spots. however, if you want to go a more natural route then kojic acid is your best bet.
HOW MUCH KOJIC ACID IS SAFE TO USE?
It is important to remember kojic acid can be very strong. it is recommended to use products that contain less than 4% kojic acid. Doing so will be enough to ensure you get the lightening effect you’re looking for, without irritating your skin too much.
You also have the option of using kojic dipalmitate to lighten your dark spots. Kojic dipalmitate is an ester of kojic acid and it is a lot more stable and more potent at whitening dark areas in the skin.
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