FASHION Using sunscreen daily is always important, but even more so when kojic acid is in your skincare mix. It also delivers some antioxidant protection. Its not as famous as azelaic acid, infamous as hydroquinone, or common as Vitamin C. Heck, most people dont even know it exists! Works Well With: Studies have shown that kojic acid works well with and enhances the effects of glycolic acid and hydroquinone, says Nazarian. All three experts recommend leave-on kojic acid products, like face serums and creams such as SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense, rather than rinse-off products, like face washes. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'greenbeautytalk_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_13',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenbeautytalk_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Vitamin C is one of the most widely known ingredients in the skincare industry. But it often succeeds at fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation when others have failed. kojic acid has an anti-aging effect on the skin. First developed in 1989, kojic acid has a similar effect as hydroquinone. However, some individuals may still experience side effects or risks from its use. If soap containing kojic acid is used regularly, it may help prevent both bacterial and fungal infections on the body. As we mentioned, mushrooms are the source of kojic acid, a byproduct of various fungi that also occurs as the result of the fermentation of certain Asian foods, such as soy sauce and rice wine, explains Chang. Amazon reviewers say it's excellent for targeting dark spots on their skin minus the irritation, which is always a win. Retinol, Vitamin C, glycolic acid, and niacinamide all have one thing in common: they help fade away dark spots. Kojic Acid And Vitamin C: How To Use Them Together It may be useful in treating fungal infections of the skin like yeast infections, candidiasis, and ringworm or athletes foot. It is the only way to realize if your skin will react to the serum. In the low concentrations used in skincare products (anything too high will irritate skin, remember? To avoid any significant side effects, you should take the following precautions while using kojic acid products: Now that we have a fair understanding of kojic acid, let us move to the topic of Vitamin C. Patricia Wexler,board-certified dermatologist , Says. "I spent thousands of dollars [on vitamin C and Retin-A serums] trying to lighten these spots, and this began to work in just a couple of weeks I can't recommend it enough!" Blair Murphy-Rose, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York. Vitamin C with kojic acid helps remove dark spots and whitens the skin. They can also provide you with information about dosage and complementary treatments. Even when science proves something works, you never know how well it works for you until you try it. As an alternative, kojic acid is your best bet for coupling with retinol and vitamin C for optimal brightening benefits, says board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, who is based in. But long term usage is not at all recommended. In fact, many claims that it works on similar grounds as another popular chemical exfoliator, glycolic acid. This is most likely to occur with sensitive skin types. These Common Skin Care Ingredients Should Never Be Used At - HuffPost Tags: hyperpigmentation, la roche posay, skinceuticals. We tell you how to maintain your skin health and make, Jock itch and related conditions can cause discomfort and itchy, irritated skin. How To Use Licorice Root Extract To Improve Hyperpigmentation It is thus potent in any form of products, be it lotions, creams, serums, powders, etc. (2019). This serum features 20% Vitamin C and Kojic Acid to compliment the Licorice Root cleanser. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Although these formulations are easy to find online, its also easy to damage your skin with them. The 10% concentration of glycolic acid will do the heavy lifting by sloughing away dead skin cells. Mikailov adds there aren't a lot of reported side effects of kojic acid when used at a concentration of 1% or less. Kojic acid can do wonders for your skin and to help you learn all about it, our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, tapped a few board-certified dermatologists for their . We have some tips for you and associated products to suit your needs but keep in mind that whichever kojic acid product you choose, be it one of the products below or another, to not load your skin care routine with this ingredient at every step. If you throw too much at your skin, you risk turning it into a dry, red, flaky mess. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. Always . Vitamin C inhibits melanin production that, in turn, reduces. Also worth noting: "When used over time, kojic acid may also make your skin more susceptible to the sun," says Chang. To incorporate both for optimal results it is better to layer them separately in your routine. Or you can just put on moisturizer and go! We love a multitasker! A. Mandelic Acid vs Azelaic Acid: Which One Should You Choose? Let us first delve into what each of these ingredients is. Powders should be mixed with water or lotion, depending on the . We include products we think are useful for our readers. Dark circles (ONLY if caused by hyperpigmentation). Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. According to Dr. Parul Khot, dermatologist and cosmetologist, Mumbai, Kojic acid is a skin brightening compound found naturally in nature. The Best Kojic Acid Products for Your Skin Quantitative determination of -arbutin, -arbutin, kojic acid, nicotinamide, hydroquinone, resorcinol, 4-methoxyphenol, 4-ethoxyphenol, and ascorbic acid from skin whitening products by HPLC-UV. Tranexamic Acid. You may see greater results or faster results if you also add glycolic acid to the treatment. I couldnt find any studies comparing Kojic Acid to other skin-lighteners, like Azelaic acid. Sun damage can darken your skin, especially if youre exfoliating (it makes skin more prone to sun damage, including dark spots). Read our, 9 Ways to Get Rid of Uneven Skin Texture, According to a Dermatologist, LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES, Kojic acid applications in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations, Glycolic Acid peels/azelaic Acid 20% cream combination and low potency triple combination lead to similar reduction in melasma severity in ethnic skin: results of a randomized controlled study. Here are some simple tips on how to make the most of using kojic acid for the skin: 1. A trendy additive found in many serums and depigmentation creams, let a skin expert detail everything you need to know about kojic acid. In addition to skin-lightening effects, kojic acid also contains some antimicrobial properties. Kojic acid (5-hydroxy-2 hydroxymethyl-4-pyrone) is a naturally occurring hydrophilic fungal product derived from certain species of Acetobacter, Aspergillus, and Penicillium. This brightening powerhouse is available as a solo product or in combination with vitamin C, retinol, glycolic acid, arbutin, etc. 100% Natural Ingredients: Kojic Acid Dipalmitate, Vitamin C, Turmeric Powder, Turmeric Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) oil, Sunflower oil, Olive oil, Seasame oil, Sodium Cocoate, Glycerin (From Coconut), Purified Water, Natural Essencial oil. Kojic acid, which is naturally produced by some fungi and is a byproduct of the fermentation of rice, fights areas of concern like sun-spots and acne scars. "Vit C's effectiveness increases when combined with other antioxidants, such as vitamin E, [and] together, they can double protection against free-radical damage." Do not apply kojic acid on skin that is either damaged or broken. Vitamin C also has the capacity to fade dark and brown spots. You can use kojic acid to treat areas of hyperpigmentation or scarring, but you shouldnt use it in an attempt to lighten your natural complexion. While not as potent as the more expensive options, it blends kojic acid with some of our favorite exfoliating and brightening skincare ingredients to ensure you slowly but surely fade dark spots. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. Kojic Acid is the underdog of skin-lightening treatments. Make sure to follow instructions regarding different types of KA products. Some countries have banned this product because of a potential connection to the development of cancer. Skin bleaching and dermatologic health of African and Afro-Caribbean populations in the US: New directions for methodologically rigorous, multidisciplinary, and culturally sensitive research. HAIR LENGTH A comparative study on various melasma treatments revealed that a Kojic acid (3%)+Vitamin C (2%) cream was effective at improving discolorations on the skin after a hydroquinone+Tretinoin and an azelaic acid cream. You should never use kojic acid on damaged or broken skin. This makes kojic acid soaps less drying, with its foaming lather cleaning your skin from within. While kojic acid is considered a fairly safe ingredient to use on a variety of skin types, it can be a bit overwhelming for some people. Both. Although irritation is unlikely, one should always do a patch test before complete application. HAIRCUTS BY FACE SHAPE But given the irritating potential of Kojic Acid, Id still try gentler skin-lighteners like Arbutin and Azelaic acid first. At 1% and higher concentrations, it has high sensitising potential and can cause irritations and allergies.