If you stop using kojic acid, your skin may gradually return to its original state, particularly if the underlying causes of hyperpigmentation are not addressed.
For as long as kojic acid skincare is used, a person's natural skin tone can be lightened. This brightness will not reverse as soon as you stop using kojic acid skincare, but instead will take months to return.
Some people pause active ingredients like kojic acid to let their skin “reset.” This can be done for 1–4 weeks, depending on your skincare goals. Using kojic acid serum too often can over-exfoliate your skin, causing dryness or sensitivity. In this case, take a break for at least 2 weeks before reintroducing it slowly.
Kojic acid can lighten skin by reducing melanin production, but the effects are not permanent. Continuous use and proper skin care are necessary to maintain results. It's also crucial to use kojic acid products as directed to avoid potential side effects. For further details, check my Quora Profile!
Kojic acid can significantly lighten the skin, but these effects are generally not permanent without ongoing maintenance. Continuous use is necessary to sustain the lightened skin tone. Permanent changes in skin color are rare and typically require a combination of treatments under professional supervision.
With regular glycolic acid use, your skin gets used to a faster shedding cycle. When you stop, the skin's natural cell turnover slows back down, leading to a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface. This buildup can make your skin look dull, rough, and uneven.
SAFETY: Kojic acid is safe for topical use in concentrations of up to 1% in skin care products. Do not use longer than 3 months at a time.
Kojic acid and derivatives present cytotoxicity to some cancerous cell lines, including melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Regarding safety, kojic acid or its derivatives are safe molecules for human use in the concentrations tested.
On the other hand, certain ingredients can trigger irritation and should be avoided if you're using kojic acid in your skincare routine. Harsh acids, like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), are a prime example, as well as certain retinoids.
Though kojic acid soaps can work on most skin types, experts say that those with sensitive or dry skin should be cautious as it may sometimes cause irritation. “Those with dry skin may want to opt for soaps with moisturizing properties,” advises Dr. Gohara. “Always do a patch test before using it regularly.”
If you have dry or damaged skin it might be more susceptible to the potential darkening effects of kojic acid. Ensuring your skin is healthy and well-nourished is key to making kojic acid work in your favor. A balanced diet, ample hydration, and a good sleep cycle can all contribute to healthier skin.
Can you use kojic acid soap every day? Yes, you can use kojic soap every day, but it is important to be mindful of any potential side effects or irritations. Kojic acid, the active ingredient in the soap, can cause dryness, redness or sensitivity in some individuals.
Kojic acid captures copper ions, preventing the activation of tyrosinase, thus preventing the formation of melanin [12,14]. Due to its tyrosinase-inhibiting activity, KA is considered one of the most effective skin lightening agents in the beauty industry [15].
Glycolic Acid
It is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugarcane. In low concentrations, glycolic acid produces desquamation of pigmented skin cells. About 30 to 70 per cent of glycolic acid can enhance the penetration of other skin lighteners such as HQ.
If you have irritated, cut, bruised, cracked, or lightened scars or skin that suffers from loss of pigment such as in vitiligo, then you should avoid using kojic acid. It is designed to prevent the production of melanin, so it is not necessary to apply it to areas of the skin that have already been affected.
Kojic acid was deemed a “quasi-drug” and banned from the market in Japan by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in 2003 and subsequently in Korea and Switzerland due to safety concerns stemming from animal test results suggesting mutagenicity.
Kojic acid is a whitening agent that diminishes dark spots, age spots, and sun damage. This overall reduction of dark spots and skin reversal impacts skin ageing. Moreover, its anti-melanogenic and antioxidant nature prevents skin ageing and tanning.
7 Because kojic acid soap can irritate and dry skin with persistent use, some people use kojic acid soap for a few months and then take a break to help avoid irritation. Some people may also use kojic acid soap every other day to help avoid irritation.
Kojic acid is produced by various strains of Aspergillus and Penicillum. It is found in very low concentration in traditional Japanese foods such as miso, soy sauce and saké. Kojic acid is also used as an additive for preventing enzymatic browning and for cosmetics.
“Those with darker skin tones, need to be cautious with glycolic acid,” warns Dr Buldeo. “It can cause a paradoxical darkening of the skin by stimulating melanocytes,” These are the melanin-producing cells in your skin's deepest layer so this can lead to hyperpigmentation in black skin.
In other words, when you use certain products, your skin is likely to look worse before it looks better. A purge can look like blackheads and whiteheads, and it's likely to appear in the places where you normally break out.
It might take some time to build up your tolerance to glycolic acid, so if you're new, go slow at first, Dr. King suggests. She recommends taking an approach that's similar to skin cycling: Use your glycolic acid product once or twice a week to give your skin time to rest between applications.