While the ideal man is believed to be tall, dark, and ruggedly handsome, women, on the other hand, believe that having white porcelain skin what makes them truly beautiful. This is especially true in Asia. Travel to any Asian country and you will find a bounty of whitening products from flea markets to fancy boutiques.
Back in the days, having white skin was an indication of opulence in many parts of the world. In modern society, white skin has become an element that contributes to the ideal look in women. Not to mention plump lips, toned buttocks, a thin nose, and so forth. Good looks have become as equally significant as your skillset nowadays. It is a truth that remains hard to contend.
However, it doesn’t mean having a different color makes you less attractive. Women want to whiten their skin for various reasons, save from inherited beliefs. But whatever aim you have for your skin whitening venture, the most important factor to consider is your health. Bear in mind that not all skin whitening products are beneficial.
There is a long list of skin whitening ingredients that cosmetic manufacturers use. This includes mercury and hydroquinone, both of which are notorious for their side effects. Thankfully, kojic acid has been introduced and since its discovery, the demand for kojic acid products soared a remarkable growth. So, what exactly is kojic acid and why does it cause so much rage?
What is Kojic Acid?
Kojic acid is among nature’s most powerful skin whiteners. It is derived from several processes that include fermentation such as malting rice to produce sake or Japanese rice wine.
Kojic acid works by inhibiting tyrosinase activity to further reduce melanin production. Melanin is the pigment that affects your skin. Due to the restriction of melanin, you will have a lightening effect on your skin.
Forms of Kojic Acid
Kojic acid is dermatologically approved for cosmetic use in 1% concentration or less. This potent ingredient is integrated into several cosmetic products such as soaps, creams, and lotions.
Apart from skin whitening, kojic acid exhibits certain properties that make it an effective topical treatment in several skin conditions, including Athlete’s foot.
5 Amazing Skin Benefits of Kojic Acid
1) Promotes Exfoliation & Cell Turnover
New healthy cells are formed at the base of your epidermis each month. Also known as keratinocytes, these cells slowly move their way up to the skin’s outermost surface as the next batch of cells are being formed.
However, dead skin cells accumulate each day since they don’t fall off on their own. This phenomenon prevents your skin from revealing the fresh layer of healthy cells and therefore, causes your skin to look rough and dull.
Kojic acid is an effective and safe chemical exfoliator. Due to its natural acidic properties, it softens up the bonds of dead skin tissues so you can easily wash them away. Likewise, it accelerates cell turnover rate so you can always reveal a new supply of healthy glowing cells.
2) Prevents Congested Skin
Congested skin is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Good thing kojic acid does a great job at preventing this. It roots out deep-seated dirt and excess oil that cause enlarged pores, blackheads, and whiteheads. As a result, your skin will look refined.
3) Exhibits Anti-Microbial Properties
With the help of kojic acid, you can prevent acne formation and whiten your skin simultaneously.
Kojic acid soap exhibits antibacterial and antifungal properties. It fights off acne-causing bacteria that may dwell on your skin. Using kojic acid soap regularly is also good preventative against common skin conditions such as ringworm and candidiasis.
4) Corrects Stubborn Dark Areas
Kojic acid has the power to penetrate the skin at a cellular level. As it continues to work against the formation of melanin, you can enhance the appearance of even the most stubborn dark areas of your body such as elbows, knees, bikini lines, and nape. Likewise, kojic acid is a potent antioxidant. It counteracts the effects of free radicals and environmental pollutants.
5) Whitens Skin Without Harmful Side Effects
If there is one skin whitening ingredient that you can use for a lifetime, it’s kojic acid. It acts fast and provides long-lasting results. Kojic acid is suitable for long-term use as it poses no health risk.
3 Best Kojic Acid Soaps
1) Kojie San Kojic Acid Soap
Every skin care enthusiast and beauty guru knows about Kojie San kojic acid soap and it comes as no surprise. This soap is among the most recommended whitening product across the globe. In fact, you can spot countless reviews about it. So, what makes Kojie San a coveted product?
First of all, it is very affordable and you have the option to choose between a two-bar pack or a three-bar pack. To save more, choose the latter. Each bar of soap weighs approximately 65 grams. Regardless, you can rest assured that you will receive the same consistency and effectiveness of the soap whatever pack you choose.
Kojie San is suitable for all skin types – oily, dry, sensitive, normal, or combination skin. Although it is made with pure kojic acid, it exhibits medium to strong potency. Therefore, it is gentle enough to use on the face and other sensitive areas of the body. It is also safe enough to use every day.
Orange and vitamin C are also added to further boost the whitening effects of kojic acid. What is more, Kojie San contains tea tree oil and virgin coconut oil to prevent dryness. Know that skin whitening products always tend to have a drying effect and thus, having natural oils to soothe, nourish, and hydrate your skin is quite a plus.
First-time users may experience micro-peeling within the first week of usage, which is normal as kojic acid digs out dead skin cells and impurities. Even if you won’t use any other whitening product, you can expect a clearer and brighter complexion as fast as 14 days.
2) Marie France Professional Strength Kojic Acid Soap
If you want your soap to produce more visible results in a shorter time frame, try Marie France Professional Strength kojic acid soap. This soap features highly concentrated kojic acid and papain, both of which are equally potent skin whiteners.
Marie France Professional Strength soap weighs approximately 150 grams each, which is bigger than most kojic acid soaps in the market. Therefore, it should last longer, too.
While this product guarantees the swiftest skin whitening effect, be ready to endure irritation, itchiness, and redness especially if you have sensitive skin. Even if you have normal skin, don’t allow the lather to permeate on your face for more than 30 seconds and be sure to use the soap every other day only.
In spite of the Aloe Vera and coconut oil, this soap contains, its strong formulation still makes it very drying to the skin. Therefore, apply moisturizer and body creme generously right after using this soap.
Marie France Professional is by far the most potent kojic acid soap available in the market. It would be a loss not to make most of its benefits. As a piece of advice, we suggest that you use this soap for your body and choose a less potent soap for your face.
3) Koji White Pure Kojic Acid Lightening Soap
Although new, Koji White Pure Kojic Acid lightening soap is making a headway in the beauty market, which is a good indication of quality, efficacy, and safety.
This soap features a cute rectangular packaging, which consists of two small bars of soap. Although small in size, these soaps don’t melt easily, which is a refreshing feature in kojic acid soaps. In fact, each soap can last up to six weeks.
In addition, Koji White makes every bath a delightful experience as it lathers very well and leaves your skin an enticing and long-lasting citrus fragrance. Koji White is also doing a great job at fading brown spots and other blemishes. If you want to whiten your skin a few shades lighter, you may need to wait for eight weeks.
Koji White may not be among the most fast-acting brands out there but it guarantees gentle and effective skin whitening. This soap is the way to go, particularly if you have sensitive skin.
Best Kojic Acid Cream – Kojie San Face Lightening Cream
Why not pair the best kojic acid soap with the best kojic acid face cream? This face cream from Kojie San features the same high-grade Kojic acid to whiten skin plus a blend of skin-nourishing ingredients.
Kojie San Face Lightening Cream contains Rose Hip oil, which abounds in antioxidants to correct hyper-pigmented areas, including acne scars, freckles, and sunspots. It also contains collagen and vitamin E to restore the suppleness of your skin.
What we really like about this product is its consistency. Though it’s creamy, it gets absorbed by the skin without leaving a greasy feel. On the other hand, it leaves your face smelling like sweet oranges!
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Best Kojic Acid Lotion – Kojie San Body Lightening
If you are no believer of skin whitening products, wait till you get your hands on the Kojie San Body Lightening Lotion!
This body lotion is a great adjunct to your skin care regimen. This product provides intensive whitening effects, thanks to its pure Kojic acid alongside other natural ingredients. It is fast absorbing and won’t leave your skin a thin film of residue.
Aside from skin whitening, Kojie San Body Lightening Lotion also reduces the appearance of sagging skin and stretch marks. As you can see, it comes in an easy-squeeze tube and therefore, you can squeeze out every bit of this amazing lotion.
Final Thoughts
Although kojic acid products are without a doubt effective, bear in mind that its effects will fade through time when not used consistently. Skin whitening entails a sense of dedication to maintain its effects. The good thing is, kojic acid is safe for long-term use. So, good luck with your skin whitening venture!
