Ingredient glossary
Kojic Acid
On your shelf ✓What Kojic Acid does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Kojic Acid
In short: Kojic Acid delivers brightening, earns its place for pigmentation and melasma, and the evidence behind it is moderate. One thing to know: clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently.
- What it does
- Brightening
- Best for
- Pigmentation, melasma
- Watch out
- Clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently
- Evidence
- Moderate
The molecule
The Glow take
One of the ingredients I trust most.
When your goal is fading dark spots and evening out tone, Kojic Acid delivers, with a solid amount of evidence behind it. Introduce it gently, and pair it with something soothing if your skin runs sensitive.
— Maya
What it does
- brightening
moderate evidenceClinical and review data support kojic acid as an effective depigmenting agent at 1–2%, though irritation risk increases with higher concentrations and prolonged use.
On a label: usually effective at 1-2%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- pigmentation
- melasma
- post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Approach with care
- very sensitive
- compromised barrier
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskModerate
How it fits each skin type
- DryNeutral
- CombinationNeutral
- OilyNeutral
- SensitiveTake care
Often chosen for pigmentation, melasma, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Take extra care if any of these apply to you: compromised barrier.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- arbutin
- vitamin c
- niacinamide
Kojic Acid, answered
Is Kojic Acid safe during pregnancy?
Clear it with your doctor first. Kojic Acid is flagged as use-with-caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before adding it.
Who should avoid Kojic Acid?
Approach Kojic Acid with care if any of these apply to you: very sensitive and compromised barrier. Its irritation risk is moderate, so introduce it slowly and patch test first.
What concentration of Kojic Acid actually works?
Kojic Acid tends to do its job in the 1 to 2% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
During pregnancy
Treat Kojic Acid as a maybe rather than a yes for now. It is flagged as one to use with caution while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is worth clearing before you carry on.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.
Commonly confused with
- Alpha ArbutinBoth fade dark spots by slowing pigment. Arbutin is the gentle everyday option; kojic is stronger but more likely to irritate.
Compare Kojic Acid with
Can you mix Kojic Acid with
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