Is Kojic Acid Safe
Q: Is kojic acid safe?
A: This is a question I am frequently asked and for good reason! There are some things you should know about kojic acid before you start to use it. I’ll summarize a few of the bullet points below, but keep in mind I am no doctor, and that’s who you should talk to about anything related to your health.
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.