What is kojic acid?
Kojic acid, derived from mushrooms and other plant materials, is a common ingredient in skin lightening/fading products, face and body moisturizers, anti-aging creams and lotions, around-eye creams, facial cleansers, sunscreens and other skin care products. Its main purpose, according to KojicAcid.org, is to treat hyperpigmentation, which occurs when areas of the skin develop too much melanin. Melanin is the substance that gives skin color, such as moles, age spots and freckles. Kojic acid can cause some side effects, particularly for those with sensitive skin.


What is the side effect of kojic acid?
Skin irritation is the most common kojic acid side effect, according to the online Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which goes on to note that in its pure form kojic acid, "May be harmful by inhalation, ingestion and if absorbed through skin." However, the amount of kojic acid in skincare products is usually not enough to trigger irritation, unless the user has especially sensitive skin, and some kojic acid products contain topical corticosteroids to counter any potential irritation.

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