Moderate evidence

Kojic Acid for Melasma

A brightening ingredient derived from fungi that fades dark spots and evens skin tone.

Why it works for Melasma

Fades patches by slowing pigment production. Most of the evidence comes from Asian skin, where 2% kojic acid combined with glycolic acid and hydroquinone works better than hydroquinone alone. It causes allergic skin reactions more often than the alternatives, so use it carefully on sensitive skin.

How Kojic Acid works

Fungal metabolite that chelates copper at tyrosinase’s active site to slow melanin synthesis.

Evidence

4 citations from our ingredient database. Full citation list on the Kojic Acid ingredient page.

systematic review2023

Chang YF et al., Efficacy and safety of topical agents in the treatment of melasma: a network meta-analysis, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2023;22(4):1168-1176 — MA finding kojic acid comparably effective with low irritation for melasma

journal2022

Park JH et al., Evaluating the tolerance and efficacy of laser-assisted delivery of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and kojic acid for melasma: A single center, prospective, split-face trial, Dermatologic Therapy 2022;35(3):e15287 — laser-assisted delivery of TXA/niacinamide/kojic acid produced greater melasma improvement vs laser alone

regulatory safety2022

Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). Opinion on Kojic Acid (CAS No. 501-30-4). SCCS/1637/21. Preliminary opinion October 26-27, 2021; Final opinion adopted March 15-16, 2022; Corrigendum August 2023. Concludes kojic acid is safe as a skin lightening agent in cosmetic products at concentrations up to 1%, with caveats regarding peeling agent combinations and endocrine disruption concerns.

systematic review2019

Austin E et al., Topical Treatments for Melasma: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2019;18(11):1156-1171 — SR of topical melasma RCTs evaluating kojic acid among agents

Products with Kojic Acid in our catalog

These are the catalog products that list Kojic Acid as a tracked ingredient.

SkinCeuticals

Discoloration Defense

$110 · Serum

medicube

Kojic Acid Turmeric Vita Capsule Cream

$19.9 · Moisturizer

Topicals

Faded Brightening Under Eye Masks with Kojic Acid, Caffeine & Niacinamide 6 Pairs

$18 · Treatment

Skin Script

Retinol 2% Exfoliating Scrub/Mask

$19 · Treatment

DERMDOC Honest Science

Kojic Acid

$9 · Moisturizer

The Derma Co

2% Kojic Acid Cream -

$13 · Moisturizer

Full Kojic Acid guide →Melasma overview →