as a seemingly endless number of nature-based products take their turn trending in the
skin care marketplace, the ancient metabolite
kojic acid is enjoying a resurgence in popularity for the treatment of melasma.
kojic acid is produced by several species of fungi and is a by-product of the fermentation process of malting rice for sake. the sometimes-controversial skin lightening agent — also used on cut fruits to prevent browning and in seafood to preserve coloring — reduces hyper
pigmentation by inhibiting the production of tyrosinase in synthesis of melanin. a potent antioxidant,
kojic acid also possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties and is used by patients at concentrations ranging from 1% to 4%.