A fungal metabolic product produced by various fungal species such as Aspergillus and Penicillium.. In addition to its skin-lightening abilities, kojic acid is classified as an antioxidant. It has the ability to counteract the effects of particles in the air called free radicals, which have the potential to cause oxidative damage to the skin cells. By limiting the effects of free radicals, kojic acid helps to prevent the formation of signs of aging that occur when the cells that produce the skin's vital structural proteins become damaged. Kojic acid is also an antibacterial agent, meaning. disrupts the processes the processes that bacteria cells must perform to thrive and reproduce, leading to the death of bacteria.
Mechanism of Action: When kojic acid is applied to the skin in concentrated amounts, the chemicals in the ingredient work on the melanocytes, interfering with the production of melanin. It inhibits the catecholase activity of tyrosinase by chelating copper at the active site of the tyrosinase enzyme, which is the rate-limiting, essential enzyme in the biosynthesis of the skin pigment melanin. Melanocytes treated with kojic acid become nondendritic, with a decreased melanin content.
Kojic acid is also consumed widely in the Japanese diet, with the belief that it is of benefit to health. It scavenges reactive oxygen species released excessively from cells or generated in tissue or blood. Kojic acid is used in concentrations ranging from 1-4%. Although effective as a skin-lightening gel, it has been reported to have high sensitizing potential and may cause irritant contact dermatitis. In a study comparing glycolic acid/kojic acid combination with glycolic acid/hydroquinone, no statistical difference in efficacy was reported between kojic acid and hydroquinone; however, the kojic acid preparation was reported to be more irritating. To decrease the irritation from kojic acid, it is combined with a topical corticosteroid. In a comparison study, 2% hydroquinone, 10% glycolic acid, and 2% kojic acid decreased hyperpigmentation in patients with melasma better than the same combination without kojic acid.
Mechanism of Action: When kojic acid is applied to the skin in concentrated amounts, the chemicals in the ingredient work on the melanocytes, interfering with the production of melanin. It inhibits the catecholase activity of tyrosinase by chelating copper at the active site of the tyrosinase enzyme, which is the rate-limiting, essential enzyme in the biosynthesis of the skin pigment melanin. Melanocytes treated with kojic acid become nondendritic, with a decreased melanin content.
Kojic acid is also consumed widely in the Japanese diet, with the belief that it is of benefit to health. It scavenges reactive oxygen species released excessively from cells or generated in tissue or blood. Kojic acid is used in concentrations ranging from 1-4%. Although effective as a skin-lightening gel, it has been reported to have high sensitizing potential and may cause irritant contact dermatitis. In a study comparing glycolic acid/kojic acid combination with glycolic acid/hydroquinone, no statistical difference in efficacy was reported between kojic acid and hydroquinone; however, the kojic acid preparation was reported to be more irritating. To decrease the irritation from kojic acid, it is combined with a topical corticosteroid. In a comparison study, 2% hydroquinone, 10% glycolic acid, and 2% kojic acid decreased hyperpigmentation in patients with melasma better than the same combination without kojic acid.
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