Gone are the days when skincare brands used engaging advertisements to grab the attention of their target audience. However, today, the skincare industry has evolved significantly over the past few years. People are now more concerned about what they apply to their skin. They pay attention to what ingredients are used in a product. They prefer to use chemical-free and organic skincare products. One such ingredient that is getting the limelight nowadays is kojic acid.
What is Kojic Acid?
Kojic acid is sourced from different types of fungi, like mushrooms and aspergillus oryzae. “Aspergillus oryzae” is a Japanese word that means “koji mold.” It is widely used in Japanese food production to saccharify steamed rice, barley and sweet potato used in manufacturing of alcoholic beverages. It is also used to ferment soybeans for making miso and soy sauce. So, kojic acid is a by-product naturally derived from fermented food items like soy sauce and rice wine.
What does kojic acid do to your skin?
Kojic acid is widely used in skincare products as it is a powerful skin-lightening agent. It penetrates deep into the skin to inhibit the production of melanin and prevent the formation of tyrosine. Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin color, whereas tyrosine is an amino acid needed to produce melanin.
Overproduction of melanin causes darkness in the skin. However, kojic acid works by preventing the formation of tyrosine, which further reduces melanin production. As a result, it helps lighten your skin color and is widely used as a lightening agent in various skin-lightening beauty products, including creams, soaps, and serums.
What are the benefits of using kojic acid soap?
Aids in treating melasma: Melasma is a skin condition related to hormonal imbalance. Since women undergo drastic hormonal changes during pregnancy, they are more susceptible to melasma during pregnancy. It leads to hyperpigmentation and the development of dark patches and freckles on the skin. Sun exposure can worsen hyperpigmentation. However, when you use kojic acid soap, it blocks the UV-activation of tyrosinase and limits the production of melanin. As a result, it helps lighten sun spots, dark patches, and pigmented areas without irritating your skin.
Less Aggressive than Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is a synthetic ingredient used in various cosmetic products to lighten the skin. Prolonged use of hydroquinone can permanently damage your skin and turn your skin into a bluish/gray color. However, kojic acid is a great alternative to hydroquinone. It is derived naturally from different types of fungi, making it a safe skin-lightening agent.
Anti-aging effect: Kojic acid is UV protective and can reverse the damage caused by over-sun exposure. So, kojic soap may help improve the appearance of the skin, prevent sunburns, and reduce your age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. In addition, it helps reduce melanin production, resulting in brighter skin complexion and even skin tone.
Helps reduce the appearance of scars: In addition to its use as a skin lightener, kojic acid has also been shown to be effective in reducing the appearance of scars. Studies have shown that kojic acid can help to reduce the redness and inflammation of scars, as well as improve the overall appearance of the scars. However, they may not help improve thick scar tissue.
Antifungal and antibacterial properties: Kojic acid is also known for its antifungal and antibacterial benefits. It may help in treating and preventing fungal and bacterial skin infections. In addition, kojic soap can help counteract the damage caused by free radicals due to pollution and sun exposure. As a result, it helps improve your overall skin tone.
How to use kojic acid soap?
Kojic acid can be used as a solo product or combined with other ingredients to get the desired results. While you can use products with a concentration of kojic acid of 1-4%, it is recommended to start with a 1-2% concentration, especially if you are using it for the first time.
The frequency of using kojic soap is twice a day. However, make sure you apply a generous amount of sunscreen after cleansing your face with kojic acid soap. If you experience any side effects, immediately stop using it and consult your dermatologist.
Conclusion
The best thing about kojic acid is that it is ideal for everyone seeking a naturally occurring ingredient to lighten their skin color. It is gentle on the skin and more tolerated than AHAs and BHAs. However, if you are planning to use kojic acid for sensitive skin, it is recommended to do a patch test. Some people with sensitive skin experience irritation, redness, swelling, and itchiness after using kojic acid soap.
However, if you want to know more about kojic acid and kojic soap benefits, check out the blogs at Kojic Acid Soap Guide. For more blog posts, visit the website.