Kojic Acid Powder

Kojic acid is a chemical derived from sugars found in corn starch and rice, it is also a by-product of fermented soy sauce and rice wine. It has good anti-inflammatory,  antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, making it ideal for treating acne, dry skin, and other blemishes. The industrial production of kojic acid are fermented by fungi, mostly Aspergillus species that can be easily isolated and identified by the presence of an acid-producing enzyme called tyrosinase to form this acid, it’s from the chelating agent of different fungi, such as Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus parasitica, Aspergillus flavus, etc. Among the most efficient kojic acid producers are Aspergillus flavus number 7 and Aspergillus oryzae.  Both species can use corn steep liquor as a by-product medium, but the latter has the potential to produce higher levels of kojic acid.

Kojic acid powder is sometimes used in the food industry as a natural preservative.  One of the main uses of kojic acid, however, is in some health and cosmetic products used as a skin-lightening agent to lighten the skin and treat skin conditions, such as sun damage, scars, age spots and melasma. It also acts as an antioxidant to scavenge and counteract the free radicals that cause damage to your skin. It can be used in some creams, lotions, and serums, soaps to reduce melasma and lighten dark spots and uneven skin tone, especially on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, and hands.