Kojic Acid

[kō-jik, a-səd]

Categories: Antioxidants

Kojic Acid Benefits:
Anti-aging
Antioxidant

Kojic acid is a natural by-product of fermented malting rice that is used for Japanese rice wine better known as sake.  In skincare, kojic acid possesses concentrations of antioxidants and can be used as a brightening agent for skin radiance in cosmetics products. It is most commonly found in concentrations of about 1-4%, either by itself or with a combination of other skin-brightening ingredients. 1

Kojic acid skin brightening effect relies on its antioxidant abilities, which protect the skin by neutralizing free-radicals present in the environment. This mechanism equips kojic acid skin care products with iron chelator properties that can induce the appearance of healthy, glowing skin as well as induce anti-aging effects. 2 For this reason, skincare products often implement kojic acid’s protective benefits into moisturizing and brightening creams as a way to support radiant, younger-looking skin.

  1. Gonçalez, M.L. et al. Skin Delivery of Kojic Acid-Loaded Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Skin Aging. BioMed Research International, 1-9 (2013)
  2. Cabanes, J. et al. Kojic Acid, a Cosmetic Skin Whitening Agent, is a Slow‐binding Inhibitor of Catecholase Activity of Tyrosinase. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 46.12, 982-985 (1994)