What is kojic acid?

Melanin is the pigment made by specialised skin cells. Kojic acid acts on an enzyme used during melanin production, which is why it appears in products marketed for uneven tone and dark marks. It does not physically scrub pigment away, change a person's natural skin colour, or explain why a particular patch developed.

The ingredient can appear in creams, serums, soaps, and washes. Product strength, supporting ingredients, and contact time affect how the skin responds. Redness, dryness, itching, or stinging can occur, particularly when the barrier is already irritated.

Choose a product made for the body area concerned and follow its directions. Test a small area first, apply only to intact skin, and introduce it without piling on scrubs or several exfoliating products. Moisturiser can help limit tightness, while sunscreen helps reduce further pigment stimulation on exposed skin.

If the cause of the colour change is uncertain, diagnosis comes before choosing an ingredient. A clinician can compare options such as [Skin Brightening Treatment](/treatments/aesthetic-procedures/skin-brightening-treatment/) and explain the ingredient in more detail through [Kojic Acid](/materials/kojic-acid/).

Seek care for severe irritation, swelling, blistering, breathing difficulty, or symptoms that persist after the product is stopped. Have a new or changing dark patch checked if it bleeds, crusts, hurts, or differs from nearby marks; a cosmetic ingredient should not delay assessment.

What is causing my uneven colour? Would kojic acid suit my skin type and current medicines? How can I protect the area while treating it, and what alternatives should I consider?