Have you ever heard of kojic acid? It is a chemical that is produced from Fungi.
Because the chemical is a by-product of rice wine and soy sauce, it is used as a natural preservative in the food industry.
Apart from that, there are certain products in the market that are made up of kojic acid. One of them is soap.
It is commonly used for melasma. It reduces the appearance of scars.
Let’s explore the uses and benefits of kojic acid soap.
The Uses Of Kojic Acid Soap
The soap is primarily utilized as a health and beauty product. The soap helps lighten and nourish the skin. Apart from that, it can be helpful in treating skin conditions such as scars, age spots, and sun damage.
How?
The soap hinders the body’s melanin production. Melanin is produced by the amino acid tyrosine and should be in balance. If imbalanced, it results in skin conditions.
Kojic acid has been found to be effective against the formation of tyrosine, which further prevents the production of melanin.
Benefits of Kojic Acid Soap
It Is A Good Bleaching Agent
The soap’s chemical properties make it a good bleaching agent, which helps treat hyperpigmentation. It is similar to a chemical known as hydroquinone.
It Helps Treat Hyperpigmentation
Excessive melanin can cause dark spots on your body. This process is called hyperpigmentation.
These spots are not to be worried about, but still, they impact your physical appearance.
Hyperpigmentation is normal and common in adults. It usually comes from:
- Hormone changes in the body.
- Severe rashes on the skin.
- Too much sun exposure, artificial blue light, or even a medical condition.
You can use kojic acid soap to treat scarring, spots from aging, and sun damage.
It Treats Melasma
It is a skin condition that causes hyperpigmentation. It can be easily identified if someone develops brown patches on their face.
If color-producing cells are working constantly, they may produce dark spots on the skin.
Women have a higher chance of getting melasma, especially after pregnancy, due to drastic changes in the hormones.
The soap has elements in it that act as a remedy for melasma.
Anti-aging Effect
As you use it, It will slowly reduce age spots and sun damage. Soap containing kojic acid can lighten the user’s skin.
The reduction of dark spots will give you an anti-aging effect.
Other Benefits Of Soap
Decrease The Scars: Scars can be annoying. The soap reduces the discoloration of scars.
Antifungal Benefits: It can be a good remedy for treating some infections like foot and yeast.
Antibacterial Effects: It can reduce the chances of developing some common bacterial skin infections.
Can Kojic Acid Soap be Used Daily?
Yes, you can use it every day to see favorable results. But in case if you are using it for the first time, it is recommended to use it in this manner:
First Time Users
- Face: Use three to four times a week for two weeks. Leave it on for thirty seconds or less.
- Body: Use it daily. You can leave it on your body for up to fifteen minutes.
These instructions can help you get results. So, use these guidelines carefully.
Side Effects of Kojic Acid Soap
Soap is safe to use.
However, some users can experience side effects if they use it in excess or from non-reputed manufacturers.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is constantly monitoring the quality and safety of cosmetic products.
If a product is FDA-approved, it means they are safe to use.
One of the most common side effects that is caused by using fake or not trustable kojic acid soaps is contact dermatitis. The symptoms will be:
- Redness
- Irritation
- Itchiness
- Rashes
- Swollen Skin
- Pain
- Discomfort
These side effects can only occur if you use fake products from non-reputed brands. Always make sure that you use FDA-approved products.
Conclusion
Kojic acid soap helps reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots on your skin. It will also even out the skin tone and give you the youthful complexion that you are looking for.