What is it?
Kojic acid, which is naturally produced by some fungi and is a by product of the fermentation of rice, fights areas of concern like sun-spots and acne scars.
Benefits for your skin?
- A main use for kojic acid. Its power to fade dark spots is doubly enhanced by its antioxidant properties.
- Kojic acid is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, so it could help with itchy, red, and inflamed skin. It also has a few antimicrobial properties, so it can protect your skin from certain types of bacteria while it’s working.
- Kojic acid can also help scavenge and counteract skin-damaging free radicals caused by exposure to things such as UV damage and pollution. This not only helps improve overall skin tone as well but also makes it a good general anti-aging ingredient.
How to use in your skincare routine?
If your skin is sensitive, we recommend not using it daily at first; instead, work kojic acid-based products into your regimen just once or twice per week to ensure that your skin can tolerate the ingredient. When used over time, this acid may also make your skin more susceptible to the sun. Using sunscreen daily is always important, but even more so when this acid is in your skincare mix.
When using this acid, it’s important to also prioritise hydration to prevent potential sensitivity or redness incorporating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin into your skin-care routine can help. However, you should refrain from using kojic acid with retinol, which puts your skin at risk of irritation and sensitivity