Kojic acid is a compound that was first discovered in Japan in the early 1900s within a fungus growing on steamed rice ("koji" being the name of the fungus). Kojic acid is often derived from various fermented foods such as mushrooms, sake, and soy sauce, Unlike AHAS such as mandelic, lactic, and glycolic acids, kojic acid evens out skin tone by halting excess melanin production rather than exfoliating dead skin at the surface, explains Dr. Sobel.

Kojic acid is a natural metabolite produced from different types of fungi. It lightens the skin by preventing the production of tyrosine, the amino acid responsible for producing melanin (skin pigment). It also works as an antioxidant in your skincare products.

Kojic acid and divalent metal ions can form insoluble metal chelates, which can be utilized during extraction. Secondly, although kojic acid is soluble in water, its solubility is not large, and temperature has a great influence on its solubility, which is conducive to concentration and cooling crystallization. Kojic acid can be used as an iron reagent. Even if a stainless steel chemicalbook fermenter is used, the fermentation broth is reddish-brown, which affects the extraction and refining process. To extract kojic acid from fermentation broth, copper salt precipitation method, ethyl acetate extraction method, ether continuous extraction method, concentration crystallization or freezing crystallization method have been used.

How to Add Kojic Acid to Your Skin-Care Routine？

You can find kojic acid in various types of skin-care products ranging from cleansers to serums. To get the most out of the ingredient, we suggests going with a serum containing kojic acid in a one to two percent concentration. As far as how often to use kojic acid, start with two to three times per week and build up your tolerance to daily as needed. However, you should strictly avoid overdosage of kojic acid (beyond 2.5%) as it may lead to severe skin irritation and sensitivity.

As kojic acid comes in many forms like powder, lotions, serum etc, you need to keep in mind the following:

1. For example, while using powders, always mix kojic acid with water/ lotion and abide by the product instructions.

2. Typically, kojic acid starts showing results within two weeks. If you want to see faster results, you may add glycolic acid to the treatment.

3. When you apply kojic acid creams or serums, give some time for your skin to absorb it completely.

4. For products like kojic acid soap and cleansers, we advise you to rinse it off shortly after application.

5. Use products as instructed. For example, face masks are only meant to be used occasionally. While you can use kojic acid creams every day.

6. Though kojic acid products are mainly used on the face and hands, you can use it on almost any area of your body except eyes, nose, inside your mouth and private parts.

1. Applied in the field of cosmetics. In human skin, under the catalysis of tyrosinase, tyrosine and oxygen free radicals undergo complex oxidation and polymerization, and finally synthesize melanin. Kojic acid can inhibit the synthesis of tyrosinase, so it can strongly inhibit the formation of skin melanin, and it is safe and non-toxic, and will not produce vitiligo sequelae, so kojic acid has been formulated into lotions, masks, lotions, and skin creams. High-grade whitening cosmetics that can effectively treat freckles, age spots, pigmentation, acne, etc.

2. The field of food processing. Kojic acid can be used as a food additive, which has the functions of preservation, antiseptic and anti-oxidation. Experiments have shown that kojic acid can inhibit the conversion of sodium nitrite in bacon into carcinogenic nitrosamines, and the addition of kojic acid in food will not affect the taste, aroma and texture of food; kojic acid is also a source of maltol and ethyl maltol. Raw materials, in food processing, kojic acid is widely used.

3. The field of medicine. Since kojic acid has no mutagenic effect on eukaryotic cells, it can also eliminate free radicals in the human body and enhance the power of leukocytes, which is beneficial to human health. Therefore, kojic acid has been used as the raw material of cephalosporin antibiotics, and the finished medicines produced are used for treatment. Headache, toothache and local inflammation and other diseases, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are very ideal.

4. In the field of agriculture. Kojic acid can be used in the production of biological pesticides. The biological micro-fertilizer (dark red liquid) made by adding 0.5-1.0% kojic acid, whether it is sprayed at a low concentration as a foliar fertilizer, or made into a growth and yield-increasing agent for root application, this crop production accelerator has good effects on food and Vegetables have obvious effect of increasing yield.

5. In other fields. Kojic acid can also be used as an iron analysis reagent, a film remover, etc.

6. Kojic acid and its derivatives are used as whitening agents in the cosmetic industry, and can also play antiseptic and moisturizing effects. In the food industry, kojic acid is used as a food additive, as a preservative, a preservative and a color-preserving agent, etc. It can also be used as a raw material for the preparation of flavoring agents maltol and ethyl maltol. It can also be used to produce intermediates of cephalosporin antibiotics. It can also be used in the production of pesticides and insecticides.

7. Kojic acid and its derivatives such as acetate have certain antibacterial properties, no one-time irritation and cumulative irritation to the skin, and can be used as a preservative for cosmetics and food. Can strongly absorb ultraviolet rays, can be used alone or in combination with various sunscreen products such as soap, etc.

1. Kojic acid is widely used in food production. In the past, kojic acid was used to prevent rancidity in oil due to its antioxidant properties. In recent years, literature reports that kojic acid has bactericidal and anti-insect effects. It has obvious effects as a food preservative, preservative, and color-preserving agent. It can replace chemical Preservatives are widely used in meat food processing, color protection, fruit and vegetable preservation, sterilization and preservative of raw food, and can also be used as a cut flower preservative to prolong the preservation and shelf life of flowers. The addition of kojic acid to food will not affect its own taste, aroma and texture, but also hinder the conversion of nitrite into nitrosamines that are carcinogenic to humans. The replacement and upgrading are very important. In terms of agricultural production, kojic acid can be used not only as biological pesticides, insecticides, but also as biological fertilizers. Whether it is sprayed with Chemicalbook or rooted, it has a significant effect on increasing the production and income of grains and vegetables. 

2. As the raw material of food flavoring agent maltol and ethyl maltol. 

3. Kojic acid can be used as a raw material for the production of cephalosporin antibiotics. 

4. Kojic acid not only has a wide range of applications in food processing, but also has good cosmetic effects of freckle removal and whitening. Kojic acid and its derivatives such as acetate have certain antibacterial properties, without one-time and cumulative irritation to the skin, and can be used as a preservative for cosmetics and food. It can strongly absorb ultraviolet rays and can be used alone or in combination with various sunscreen products such as soap. It can treat and prevent the formation of skin pigmentation such as liver spots. The dosage is 1-2.5% and the effect is obvious. Helps maintain moisture and reduce skin wrinkles. Use in hair products to remove dandruff. 

5. Kojic acid can be used for flavoring and raw materials for the manufacture of larchite and ethyl larch.