For your skin
A brightening ingredient derived from fungi that fades dark spots and evens skin tone.
Want the science? Keep reading ↓Mechanism of action
Fungal metabolite that chelates copper at tyrosinase’s active site to slow melanin synthesis.
Why we tier this moderate
6 cited papers across 4 countries. The mechanism is well-described and there's at least one controlled trial in the literature, but we tier this Moderate rather than Strong to stay honest about how many specific papers we cite directly.
Layering matrix
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Cited research
Tantanasrigul P et al., The Efficacy of Topical Cosmetic Containing Alpha-Arbutin 5% and Kojic Acid 2% Compared With Triple Combination Cream for the Treatment of Melasma: A Split-Face, Evaluator-Blinded Randomized Pilot Study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(1):e16562 — alpha-arbutin + kojic acid matched triple-combo cream with lower recurrence
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
Zachary CB et al., Kojic Acid for Melasma: Popular Ingredient in Skincare Products, Skinmed 2020;18(5):271-273 — review of kojic acid's tyrosinase-inhibiting mechanism and clinical evidence as depigmenting topical for melasma
Miyabe C et al., Kojic acid alters pheomelanin content in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived melanocytes, Journal of Dermatology 2020;47(4):435-436 — iPSC-derived melanocyte mechanism study: kojic acid alters pheomelanin composition, refining understanding of skin-lightening pathway beyond tyrosinase inhibition
Singh BK et al., Kojic Acid Peptide: A New Compound with Anti-Tyrosinase Potential, Annals of Dermatology 2016;28(5):555-561 — kojic acid peptide inhibits tyrosinase and reduces melanin without cytotoxicity, addressing the instability/toxicity limits of native kojic acid
Deo KS et al., Kojic acid vis-a-vis its combinations with hydroquinone and betamethasone valerate in melasma: a randomized, single blind, comparative study of efficacy and safety, Indian Journal of Dermatology 2013;58(4):281-5 — kojic acid + hydroquinone superior depigmenting agent over 12 weeks
Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.