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Pop on your lab coat – it’s time to learn about kojic acid.

Over the course of the pandemic, I think it’s fair to say we all became bathroom chemists, of sorts. Where before a routine may have consisted of a trusted cleanser, toner and moisturiser, knowing the ingredients each formulation contained was probably a bridge too far. Now, we’ve become au fait with the name of individual acids, which moisturising agents work best for our skin and how to combine active ingredients to treat certain conditions. 

And, while some of us went slightly too far and found out what happens when you rush into using retinoids (retinol purge, anyone?) or the symptoms of a damaged skin barrier, the transparency of knowing exactly what works for our skin is refreshingly empowering. One such ingredient edging onto centre stage in recent months is kojic acid. 

What is kojic acid?

Designed to prevent the creation of melanin, kojic acid can be used topically to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma and dark spots on the skin. Melanin – the pigment that gives eyes, hair and skin colour – is present in every human. Different levels of melanin denote light or dark pigmentation. A skin-brightening acid, kojic acid is a chemical product obtained from different types of fungi and is a byproduct of certain fermentation processes.