Kojic acid soap nowadays has been frequently used by women in hopes of improving their skin. Kojic is a chemical produced from various types of fungi. It is also a by-product of rice wine and fermented soy sauce.

Kojic Acid Soap: Uses, Benefits, and Risks
Kojic Acid Soap: Uses, Benefits, and Risks Kojic acid soap nowadays has been frequently used by women in hopes of improving their skin. Kojic is a chemical produced from various types of fungi. It is also a by-product of rice wine and fermented soy sauce. Noah Buscher/Unsplash

Sometimes, kojic acid is used as a natural preservative in the food industry. However, its main uses are cosmetic and health products as a skin lightener or to treat skin conditions, such as scars, sun damage, and age spots.

According to Medical News Today, the science behind kojic acid soap's effectiveness involves its effect on melanin production. Melanin is a naturally occurring pigment in the human body that provides the hair, skin, and eyes their color. Tyrosine, an amino acid, is needed to support melanin production.

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Kojic acid blocks tyrosine, which prevents melanin production, from forming. Reduced melanin production can lighten the skin. Here is how to use kojic acid soap, its benefits, as well as its side effects or risks:

Uses

Kojic Acid is often found in cosmetic products, including soap, creams, lotions, and serums. Several kojic acid products are intended for use on the hands or face. You may also use Kojic acid products on the other parts of the body, such as the arms and legs.

Medical News Today says that the kojic acid concentration in cosmetic products is often between 1-4%.

Products containing kojic acid-like soaps are applied and washed off, while certain kojic acid products like serums and lotions are meant to be applied to the skin and left to absorb.

Potential benefits

According to Healthline, kojic acid's primary use is to lighten visible age spots, sun damage, or scars, resulting in an anti-aging effect on the skin. Aside from its skin-lightening products, kojic acid also has some antimicrobial properties that could help fight several common types of bacterial strains, even in small dilutions.

Because it has microbial properties, kojic acid can help treat acne caused by skin bacterias. Kojic acid may also lighten scars from acne that has not faded.

Pubmed reported that kojic acid has antifungal properties that may help treat fungal infections, including ringworm, candidiasis, or athlete's foot. If a kojic acid soap is used regularly, it will prevent both fungal and bacterial infections on the body.

Side effects and risks

Kojic acid in cosmetics and health products are safe to use in concentrations of 1% only, as per the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. But in rare cases, people may still experience side effects or risks from using kojic acid.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been monitoring kojic acid cosmetic products' quality to ensure the safe use of the products from reputable U.S. companies.

The most common side effect of kojic acid is Contact dermatitis that could manifest redness, itchiness, irritation, rashes, swollen skin, pain, or discomfort. This condition is common in sensitive skin or people who use a higher than 1% concentration of kojic acid. Once you experience these side effects while using kojic acid, immediately stop using the product.

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