Best Kojic Acid Skin Care Products for Skin Brightening

Dark spots, sunburn marks, Melasma — Whatever form it may take, Pigmentation Age spots are one of the trickiest skin concerns to deal with. If left untreated, they can take months to disappear (or never will), and are hard to hide, especially if they appear on the face. That’s where the skin-lightening ingredient kojic acid comes in. Kojic acid is a compound produced by certain fungi, but can also be produced as a by-product during the fermentation of certain foods, like soy sauce and sake.

When it comes to skin, “Kojic acid inhibits the production of tyrosinase, which is essential for the formation of melanin, the pigment molecule in skin,” says Carmen Castile, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. By inhibiting the production of tyrosinase, and therefore melanin, kojic acid has skin-lightening benefits. Kojic acid also has antioxidant properties, which can neutralize free radicals that damage collagen and lead to the formation of dark spots, brown spots, and other pigmentation. Below, we’ve rounded up the best products utilizing this ingredient, and we also asked four dermatologists for their shopping advice.

Skip ahead How I Picked the Best Kojic Acid Product | Best Kojic Acid Products of 2024

How I Picked the Best Kojic Acid Product

The best kojic acid products vary in concentration and supplemental ingredients. The experts we spoke to recommended considering the following factors when shopping around:

• Other Active Ingredients: Kojic acid works well on its own, but it’s even more effective when combined with other skin lightening ingredients. Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid.
• Product TypeKojic acid takes time to be absorbed into the skin to be effective, so you should use a product that is left on the skin rather than one that is washed off.
• concentrationMost commercial kojic acid products contain 1-2% of the ingredient, but the exact concentration isn’t always disclosed.

Best Kojic Acid Products of 2024

Kojic acid is most often found in facial serums with lightweight formulas and high concentrations of active ingredients. These are typically used to target hyperpigmentation and as a makeup primer. MoisturizerHowever, kojic acid mask We also stock a wide range of skin care products, and we ask experts and staff for recommendations, and introduce highly rated products.

Best Face Serum with Kojic Acid

SkinCeuticals Prevents Discoloration

What we like

• Contains many whitening ingredients
• Also effective on darker skin tones
• Easy to layer

Points to note

• Contains exfoliating ingredients

my Prone to acne My skin is especially prone to hyperpigmentation, so I use it to fade post-acne spots (as does New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Gabriela Souza). In her own routine For mixed acne skin. Contains 1% Kojic Acid, 5% Niacinamide, Tranexamic acid The brand claims it helps fade dark spots, redness, and brown spots, and may even help with melasma. Plus, it’s fragrance-free.

La Roche-Posay Glycolic Acid B5 Serum

What we like

• Safe for sensitive skin
• Suitable for a variety of skin tones

Points to note

• May feel sticky

This exfoliating serum targets uneven skin tone by combining a tyrosinase inhibitor with a chemical exfoliant. The combination of kojic acid, 10% glycolic acid, and tranexamic acid “works synergistically to brighten the overall complexion and fade dark spots,” says Castilla, who points out that it’s a relatively gentle formula. (As an exfoliant, it’s not recommended for those with dry skin.) Sunscreen in the morning.

Curology Dark Spot Serum

What we like

• Rapid absorption
• Fragrance Free

Points to note

• There is nothing at the moment

This serum’s ingredients list reads like a best-hits list of skin-lightening ingredients. It’s packed with niacinamide alongside glycolic acid, tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and licorice root extract complex. According to the brand, these inhibit multiple stages of the pigment production process, fading hyperpigmentation while being gentle on the skin’s barrier. It has an average rating of 4.7 stars from 393 reviews on Target.

Dr. Idris’ Major Fade Hyper Serum Dark Spot Treatment

What we like

• Fragrance Free
• Safe for sensitive skin

Points to note

• Lasts only 4 weeks

Discoloration doesn’t always look the same on different skin tones; it can appear red on fair-skinned people and purple or brown on darker skinned people. This serum addresses both with a combination of alpha arbutin, kojic acid, and niacinamide, and the brand says it also contains diglucosyl gallic acid to help minimize redness. Because air and light can break down active ingredients, this product is split into two separate cartridges, giving you a fresh (and therefore stronger) formula midway through use. It has an average rating of 4.8 stars out of 305 reviews on Sephora.

Topicals Faded Serum

What we like

• Actively soothes the skin
• Suitable for all skin tones

Points to note

• Smells like sulfur

Designed with all skin tones (and ethnicities) in mind, this serum contains skin-soothing niacinamide and centella (aka cica), and a blend of azelaic and kojic acids works to even out skin tone, according to the brand. It does smell a bit like sulfur, but that’s not an issue: “The scent is strong, but the product works so well that it doesn’t bother me anymore.” To tell NBC Select Associate SEO Reporter Ashley Morris.

Other skin care products with kojic acid

Urban Skin Rx 3-in-1 Even Tone Cleansing Bar

What we like

• It’s versatile
• Convenient for travel

Points to note

• The included sponge may get dirty.

This solid cleanser can be used as both a face mask and an exfoliant to combat uneven skin tone and blemishes. Like others on this list, it uses a combination of kojic acid, niacinamide, and azelaic acid (another tyrosinase inhibitor that combats both acne and pigmentation). It comes with a sponge that you can dampen and use to lather up the soap.

Versed Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Solution

What we like

• Safe for sensitive skin
• Easy to use pump

Points to note

• Requires a cotton pad for application

this toner Combined with Kojic Acid, it takes skin brightening to the next level Vitamin C It also contains 5-aminoethyl 1,2-dihydropyridine — a tyrosinase inhibitor — and bearberry extract, a gentle, plant-based alternative to hydroquinone, the brand says. It has an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 404 reviews on Amazon.

Topicals faded brightening under eye mask

What we like

• Anti-slip adhesive
• Cooling effect
• Safe for sensitive skin

Points to note

• There is nothing at the moment

Blood vessels under the eyes can also cause dark circles, but so can pigmentation on the skin. Under eye patches Combining both to address the issue caffeineIt boosts microcirculation, contains niacinamide and kojic acid for brightening effects, and doesn’t slide or move around on the skin like other products. It has an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 450 reviews on Amazon.

InnBeauty Project Bright & Smooth Body Serum for Dark Spots & Bumps

What we like

• Penetrates quickly
• Contains moisturizing ingredients

Points to note

• Might be too strong for some people

Discoloration of the body, such as darkening Acne This exfoliating body serum, which has an average rating of 4.5 stars from 200 reviews on Sephora, helps with skin turnover. It is designed to be more powerful than face serums, with beta-hydroxy and Alpha Hydroxy Acids It also contains whitening ingredients such as kojic acid, tranexamic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide. It also contains nourishing ingredients such as shea butter and camellia oil, but the brand Moisturizer Don’t go any longer than this as it may dry out.

How to Buy Kojic Acid Products

Kojic acid works best when combined with other similar ingredients: “Look for products that contain niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and azelaic acid, which work synergistically to deliver the results you want,” says Castile. And when used with vitamin C, kojic acid “can boost skin-brightening properties, treat dark spots, and even out skin tone,” says cosmetic chemist Ginger King.

Tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, and vitamin C all act as tyrosinase inhibitors, meaning they block the formation of an enzyme essential to the pigmentation process, as does kojic acid. Niacinamide, on the other hand, works by blocking the movement of melanosomes. In other words, it prevents newly formed melanin from reaching the skin’s surface.

Manufacturers also often combine kojic acid with chemical exfoliants, like alpha hydroxy acids (including lactic and glycolic acids), which “can penetrate the skin better and work faster,” says King. Combining all of these ingredients can help target pigment production on multiple levels, preventing excess melanin formation and darkening.

Next, consider the type of products you’re using. Ideally, “opt for products that you leave on, like serums or creams, rather than products that you wash off,” says Castile, who points out that it takes time for kojic acid to penetrate the skin and reach its intended target: the layer of skin where pigment is produced.

Creams and liquid solutions are also often your best bet, says Chris Adigun, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “I usually encourage my patients to choose the formula they can best adhere to. For example, if they prefer a cream or solution, both of which contain kojic acid,” she says.

Finally, consider the concentration: “Commercially available kojic acid usually comes in a concentration of 1 to 2 percent,” says Castile. “If you have sensitive skin, keep in mind that higher concentrations may be more irritating.”

Meet Our Experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have the expertise and authority based on their relevant training and experience, and we take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are independent and free of undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Carmen Castile, MD, He is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, NY, specializing in both cosmetic and medical dermatology.
• Melanie Palm, MD, Board certified dermatologist based in San Diego, California with interests in laser technology and injectables.
• Chris G. Adigun, MDis a board-certified dermatologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, specializing in skin cancer and nail disorders.
• Ginger King Cosmetic Chemist at Grace Kingdom Beauty in New Jersey, specializing in hair care, skin care, and sun care.

Why trust NBC Select?

Deanna Pai A freelance beauty writer and editor, she has been writing about health and beauty for over 10 years. Curl Type and Vitamin EFor this article, Pai spoke with three dermatologists and a cosmetic chemist to narrow down the best kojic acid products to buy and highlight their recommendations for what to consider when purchasing.

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Deanna Pai

Deanna Pai is a freelance writer and editor for NBC Select.