Kojic Acid Lotion

As far as skin lighteners go, kojic acid is perhaps one of the best natural based lotions to consider. And the beauty industry seems to agree with this statement as the majority of lightening or whitening lotions tend to have a healthy dose of kojic acid in it; in some cases, kojic acid is the main active ingredient.

Kojic acid for skin whitening comes in several different forms to choose from-

1. Kojic Acid Soap- This is usually used for facial whitening or smoothing out uneven skin tone on the face. Kojic Acid soap could be used for everyday use although most of the time, its use is very similar to using an acne bar; only when necessary. Soaps are generally used as exfoliaters, rubbing away dead and damaged tissue to display the radiant skin underneath.
2. Kojic Acid Cream- Creams that have kojic acid are generally used by women who are trying to whiten or lighten their skin naturally but don't want to have to worry about the potential harmful effects of hydroquinone, a skin whitener that has been linked health risks.
3. Kojic Acid Lotion- Women who choose a kojic acid lotion tend to use it to treat smaller areas of the skin that have been affected by hyperpigmentation, age spots or hormone related skin conditions brought on by pregnancy or birth control pills. Some women favor this lotion because it absorbs directly into the skin much better than creams or soaps.

Lotions which contain kojic acid can be most beneficial for women who are trying to diminish age spots or freckling caused by the sun.  It is also reported as safe to use for pregnant women who have the so called mask of pregnancy otherwise known as melasma.

The reason why it is believed to be safe is that it is an all natural product that is derived from fungi.  In clinical terms, kojic acid is able to lighten darker areas or hyperpigmented skin because it suppresses a substance called tyrosinase from catalyzing melanin, the chemical in our bodies which "tans" or "darkens" our skin.

One of the greatest benefits to using kojic acid is derived from this occurrence.  Basically, if you use the lotion before exposure to the sun, you can limit the effect and diminish the chances of getting wrinkles making this property a perfect antiaging lotion.

Unlike most natural whitening products, kojic acid is not comprised of Alpha Hydroxy making it more like the highly popular skin lightening ingredient hydroquinone.  Incidentally, both kojic acid and hydroquinone lighten skin because they both inhibit melanin production.

Most skin whitening lotions that use kojic acid as one of their ingredients also use small amounts of hydroquinone as well as glycolic acid and research as shown that combining these can improve its effectiveness by as much as 13%.