Kojic Acid is a compound extracted from various fungi.
This compound is said to be highly effective as a skin lightening agent.
Due to this, it’s growing in popularity and largely used in beauty products.
Kojic acid isn’t just popular because of some myth either.
There have been various studies on this compound.
A study conducted by Dr. Alaina J James at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center revealed kojic acid’s effects as a potent skin lightening agent.
The study found kojic acid to be similar to another skin lightening agent called hydroquinone.
How does Kojic Acid work?
kojic acid works by preventing the functions of a protein known as tyrosinase.
Tyrosinase has a specific function called catecholase function.
This function is essential to make melanin, which is a primary pigment in the skin.
So, by preventing the functions of tyrosinase, kojic acid helps to inhibit skin pigmentation.
This helps to lighten the skin’s tone.
Is Kojic Acid Unstable?
It has been established that kojic acid is highly effective.
There are a lot of beauty products based on this compound.
However, it’s been found that kojic acid has different effects on similar products like hydroquinone.
According to the study, kojic acid is quite unstable.
Meaning, kojic acid can easily react with sunlight and oxygen which could potentially change its structure as a chemical compound.
Due to this, kojic acid is packaged as kojic acid dipalmitate.
This modified version of kojic acid helps to prevent any chemical change. However, it also becomes less effective.
Kojic Acid is one of the main ingredients of Meladerm. You can get yours here!