What is melasma?
If you stumbled upon this page through searching, then you are probably all too familiar with this condition. Melasma refers to facial hyperpigmentation which is triggered by the sun.

Who gets melasma?
Anyone can fall victim to this problem, but younger females are the most likely to get it. Also, those with darker skin tones are at increased risk of developing it. Sometimes, contraceptives can disrupt hormone levels, which in turn trigger this condition. Pregnancy can also cause this skin condition.

How to treat melasma?
Obviously you came here to learn about the kojic acid melasma method, but just why is it that so many women choose to use this ingredient? Well, obviously there’s more than one option when it comes to skin whitening, but unfortunately the other popular ingredient (hydroquinone) has been linked with cancer.

Why is kojic acid melasma cream the best choice?
As we already mentioned, there are serious dangers associated with the other popular method. But in addition to that reason, many prefer kojic acid products because the ingredient is natural; it is derived from mushrooms and/or plants. Furthermore, it is extremely affordable and widely available.

What types of kojic acid products are available?
Because this is such a popular ingredient now, there are a wide array of different products available; kojic acid soap, cream, and lotion. Basically, all of these do the same thing since their active ingredient is the same in each. Therefore whether you are using the skin brightening creams or soap, the all have the same skin lightening effect. However when it comes to melasma, many women prefer to use a cream-based version since those are usually the most potent and can be worn discreetly on the face.

How to use kojic acid skin lightener?
Of course this depends on the type of product your using. As you can predict, the soap is typically used in the shower. Meanwhile, the cream and lotion whitening products are applied to the desired locations (how often depends upon the manufacturer’s recommendations).

Now you know why the kojic acid melasma remedy is such a popular choice!

Q: Can you tell me where to buy kojic acid serum and which kind is best? I am having hard time finding it. Thanks!

A: Over the past few years the skin care industry has been shifting away from heavy creams and more towards serums. The benefits of serum based products is they aren’t thick and goopy, which usually means they’re less likely to cause breakouts. Plus, you can sometimes layer products (like a serum as the base and a normal moisturizer above) which makes serums ultra versatile!

Now when it comes to kojic acid serum, unfortunately it’s not all that common, yet. However there are a handful of serums with kojic acid available and it seems that more are trickling onto the market all the time. A few that I know of but have not used personally include:

Devita Skin Care – They have a few skin whitening products on the market and a neck & decollete kojic acid serum as well as a general skin brightening serum with kojic acid.

Reviva Labs – This is a great company based on the East Coast that has a few kojic acid products on the market, unfortunately I would classify them as more cream like rather than a true serum.

Is Clinical Skin Care - They have a product on the market called Hydra-Cool serum which I do not personally like, but I’m sure others may feel differently.

Lancome Absolue – We all know how great Lancome makeup and other Lancome cosmetics are. Well now they have this product out that contains premium ingredients like bio-yam, brown algae, and kojic acid. I saw it at Macy’s and it was quite pricey, but I’m sure you can get it cheaper online.

In addition to these, there are few others too. Not to mention, new kojic acid products are coming out all the time so keep your eyes peeled!

First, here’s a brief summary of each ingredient:

Hydroquinone: This is a skin lightening ingredient that has been in use for decades. It’s known to be extremely powerful and the resulting changes in pigmentation are often permanent to at least some degree.

Kojic Acid: This was discovered over two decades ago by the Japanese. It comes from the natural fermentation of rice and/or mushrooms. It’s known for offering gradual, yet fairly quick results. Usually if its use is discontinued the skin will return to its normal pigmentation.

What are the pros and cons of kojic acid and hydroquinone when used individually?

Kojic Acid Pros:

• It is generally considered to be safe for most people when used as directed
• It is available over-the-counter
• It is known to offer more uniform, consistent results
• The results can often be reversed by discontinuing use
• It’s available in a wide variety of formulations, from kojic acid cream to kojic acid soap

Kojic Acid Cons:

• Although most people don’t encounter any side effects when used as directed, some people suffer from skin irritation (such as dermatitis). There is evidence that suggests this may be permanent, but very few people encounter this and even then it’s usually with long term users.

Hydroquinone Pros:

• It’s an extremely potent skin lightener
• In the United States, concentrations of 2% and below are available without a prescription

Hydroquinone Cons:

• It has been linked to causing cancer in high dosage studies on rodents
• Results can sometimes be patchy and on some people it just makes the pigmentation look albino, rather than simply lighter
• If overused and you don’t like the results, it might not be possible to reverse
• Can cause skin irritation problems

Are combinations of hydroquinone kojic acid a good idea?

As of now, it doesn’t look like it. Each of these are extremely potent, and when combined, they may be dangerous – side effects might be a lot worse than using them separately. And being that they’re both effective by themselves, combining hydroquinone and kojic acid should not be done unless your dermatologist says it’s okay.

Kojic Acid Side Effects
For decades hydroquinone was the most popular skin lightening cream in the world – it worked but also had side effects. There have even been studies which suggest hydroquinone may cause cancer. Thank goodness we have kojic acid, which has not been linked to that same dangerous side effect!

However, there are a few kojic acid side effects you should know about…

Sensitive Skin: This happens to be the most well known side effect of kojic acid. Basically, there has been research which suggests that if kojic acid is used repeatedly for extended periods of time, the user’s skin may develop increased sensitivity which some say might become permanent to some degree. Technically known as dermatitis, this side effect be characterized by increased itchiness, red rash, irritation, etc (similar to poison ivy).

Therefore, obviously if you were to develop these symptoms over time, you should discontinue use and ask a dermatologist about these side effects. That being said, I personally have not heard of anyone experiencing these side effects while using kojic acid products. But even though it’s very rare, it’s still something everyone should know about if they plan on using kojic acid long term.

Other Side Effects: A cosmetic side effect one should consider is whether or not they like their skin being lightened. Although that is what kojic acid products are used for, some people don’t like the results. Fortunately, unlike hydroquinone, with kojic acid treatment your skin will usually revert back to its original tone over time. For more information about potential kojic acid side effects, speak a doctor.

What’s my opinion on the potential side effects?
Whether its food, medicine, or anything else… we all respond differently. So in reality, almost everything has side effects for some people. Kojic acid has been used since its discovery in the eighties with few reporting side effects. It also makes me feel better to know that kojic is derived from mushrooms and the fermentation of rice, so it’s a natural ingredient rather than something artificial. The bottom line is that in my opinion, kojic acid skin lightener is the best option out there.

Q: Is kojic acid safe?

Kojic acid has been around since 1989, when it was actually discovered by accident during the production of certain foods, most notably the koji mushrooms. Not only were its skin whitening properties noticed, but also the fact that it’s a great antibacterial agent and preservative.

Controversial or Not?
Skin bleaching and/or lightening is considered an controversial issue by some people, so it comes as no surprise that kojic acid came under attack. However the truth is that most people who use it are doing so for 100% completely valid medical and cosmetic reasons; i.e. dark spots, melasma, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, minor overall facial lightening, etc. There are actually very few people whom truly abuse so-called skin bleaching.

Kojic Acid Safety?
The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (the European regulatory body) has conducted extensive studies of kojic acid products. Reportedly, they found that kojic acid is not a cancer causing agent (unlike hydroquinone) so that’s a big relief for many. However there were concerns that using it regularly might increase skin sensitivity, and hence, that’s a drawback (because increased sensitivity might possibly lead to allergic skin reactions). So is kojic acid safe? Well in a nutshell, that side effect appears to be the safety exception.

Using It?
Personally, there’s not many effective options when it comes to skin whitening. It’s basically kojic acid or hydroquinone. As with most things in life, further studies are always needed to know for sure. But if allergic skin reactions end up being the worse thing kojic acid will do to a person, then I would choose this option over the other any day. To help you avoid that, it’s always a good idea to ask a professional for advice (i.e. dermatologist) and follow the directions (you shouldn’t use more than the directions tell you to).

So is kojic acid safe? Ultimately, that’s something you will have to decide. On a personal note, I do feel safe using kojic acid skin lightener and think it’s my product of choice.

This acid is derived from mushrooms and is known to have originated in Japan. It comes in various forms and is used in many skin pigmentation lightening products.

So why do people use skin products that lighten their skin color? Well there are a number of reasons why people use these types of products. Some people use them to treat dark spots on their bodies or face, other people use this treatment to help fade dark freckles, and some people have rare skin disorders and use this product in hopes of having a more even skin tone.

The way that this treatment works is that it breaks down and prevents the production of enzymes known for the creation of melanin in the skin. Melanin is what gives our skin color. It works to fade freckles and many types of abnormal skin pigmentation. When it first came out it was primarily just kojic acid, but after numerous studies people have stated that their skin had become highly sensitive after using it for extended periods of time. Due to these findings manufacturers have now added cortisol as well as natural ingredients to help counter these effects.

Which one to choose?
There are numerous kojic acid products. Each person has their own preference, as well as what type of effect they are trying to achieve. If you are more partial to facials, then a glycolic peel would be an ideal treatment for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for more of a serum or gelatin based product then a skin lightening gel would be a good choice for you.

A glycolic peel is also commonly referred to as a chemical peel. One particular type of this peel is one that contains glycolic acid, kojic acid and alpha hydroxy in it. These combinations are a great way to benefit three beauty treatments at once. The glycolic acid helps with getting rid of dead lifeless skin and reveals new brighter skin. The alpha hydroxy is great for its anti aging properties as well as repairing damaged skin cells underneath the skins surface. The kojic acid helps with any types of abnormal skin pigmentation. So when you are done with the treatment you will probably feel like an entirely new person with fresher skin.

Another type of Kojic acid product is a skin lightening gel. Many of these products contain essential vitamins like vitamin A, C, E, all of which benefit and give the skin a natural glow. Vitamin C is essential in collagen production, vitamin A helps repair damaged skin cells and vitamin E helps by being a great moisturizer for the skin. These ingredients are added to this base to help counteract the sensitivity that is associated with prolonged use of kojic acid when it is used by itself.

What You Need To Know
Hopefully you have learned a lot of valuable information in relation to what kogic acid is as well as some of the products that have this chemical compound. I am not a medical professional or a dermatologist therefore seeking a professional opinion before starting a skin bleaching treatment is highly advised.