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Kojic acid

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Kojic acid

Kojic acid gently fades stubborn dark spots, evens out overall skin tone, and helps reduce unwanted pigmentation for a clearer complexion. It suits dry skin and oily skin alike, and typically comes in lightweight serums that absorb smoothly. Because it layers easily, this ingredient fits right into any daily skincare routine.

This page shows kojic acid products with a Lovi page. For every product, and a routine built for your skin, use the Lovi app.

Kojic acid serums

What reviewers say about popular kojic acid products

The highlight reviewers mention most for each popular kojic acid product on Lovi.

Other kojic acid products

Kojic acid for dry skin

Kojic acid for oily skin

Kojic acid for combination skin

Kojic acid for sensitive skin

Kojic acid for acne-prone skin

All kojic acid products

Questions and answers

What does kojic acid do for the skin?

Kojic acid helps reduce hyperpigmentation and melasma, leading to a decrease in skin melanin levels. It is often combined with partner ingredients like hydroquinone or alpha-arbutin to improve clinical efficacy in treating dark spots.

How do you use kojic acid?

Kojic acid may be used topically in creams or gels, and it is sometimes combined with ingredients like hydroquinone, tranexamic acid, or niacinamide to help treat hyperpigmentation and melasma.

Should you use kojic acid in the morning or at night?

There are no specific page facts regarding whether to use kojic acid in the morning or at night.

Can you use kojic acid every day?

Yes, you can use kojic acid daily as it helps reduce hyperpigmentation and melasma. Combining kojic acid with ingredients like tranexamic acid, niacinamide, or alpha-arbutin may further improve results.

Does kojic acid cause purging or irritation?

Kojic acid is generally well tolerated, though some combinations like hydroquinone or triple combination creams may present higher risks of adverse events such as erythema and stinging, while other pairings like alpha-arbutin and kojic acid creams are associated with fewer side effects.

Which skin types is kojic acid best for?

Kojic acid works well across many skin types, with Lovi giving top ratings to products like Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Niacinamide Discoloration Treatment for dry skin, NATURIUM Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% for sensitive skin, and Topicals Faded Serum for acne-prone skin.

Research on kojic acid

Behind this ingredient guide

Lovi checks every ingredient with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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