8 Kojic Acid Products That Can Help Fade Your Hyperpigmentation

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Vitamin C is one of the most loved brightening skincare heroes in the game, but there's an increasingly popular ingredient emerging with incredible benefits that you might not know about — and it should be on your radar. Kojic acid can do wonders for your skin — and to help you learn all about it, our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, tapped a few board-certified dermatologists for their inside knowledge on this rising skincare ingredient. The pros explain how kojic acid works and the many benefits it offers your skin. Plus, they share a few of their favorite kojic acid product recommendations, which all boast glowing online reviews across trusted retailers like Amazon, Dermstore, and Credo.

Best Kojic Acid Products

• Best Overall: PCA SKIN Hydroquinone-Free Pigment Gel Face Serum

• Most Amazon Reviews: La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Serum with Kojic Acid

• Best for Underarm Darkness: kaia naturals The Takesumi Brightening Bar with Kojic Acid

• Best for Combination and Oily Skin: SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

• Best Exfoliating Toner: Versed Skin Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Facial Toner

What is Kojic Acid?

Board-certified dermatologists Dr. Blair Murphy Rose, M.D., FAAD, and Dr. Anar Mikailov, M.D., FAAD, founder of Skintensive, both say kojic acid derives from various fungi species and brightens and exfoliates the skin by minimizing and preventing hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage, age spots, and melasma. Kojic acid also brightens dark spots caused by pregnancy hormones and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) from acne.

Kojic Acid Benefits

"Even with somewhat limited research conducted on kojic acid, this skincare ingredient has already yielded impressive results in terms of skin brightening, lightening, and reducing hyperpigmentation," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry, M.D., founder of Skin & Aesthetics Surgery of Manhattan. In addition to reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and treating melasma, Henry says studies indicate that kojic acid is radioprotective and boasts anti-inflammatory properties.

How We Chose

Ready for the brightest, most even-toned skin of your life? Here are a few dermatologist-approved factors to consider when shopping for kojic acid products. Based on expert guidance and recommendations, Saunders shared a few affordable kojic acid products worth owning — one cost less than $20. More even-toned and luminous skin on a budget? Sign us up!

Formulation

All three experts recommend leave-on kojic acid products, like face serums and creams such as SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense, rather than rinse-off products, like face washes. "The most effective products will stay on the skin for an extended period, so any rinse-off product, like a cleanser, will not likely work as well as a spot treatment or cream," explains Murphy Rose.

Concentration

Henry and Murphy Rose agree that the best kojic acid concentration to shop for ranges from 1% to 4%. Mikailov adds there aren't a lot of reported side effects of kojic acid when used at a concentration of 1% or less. We suggest only using the kojic acid products in this guide, most of which have 1% or less of the ingredient. There is a 2% kojic acid serum on our list that we'd suggest to anyone who already incorporates a kojic acid product into their routine and is looking for something more intense with minimal risk of skin irritation.

Need more proof starting with a lower concentration is best? "When concentrations are over 1%, contact dermatitis — irritation, rashes, inflamed skin, and itchiness — is a potential side effect. With long-term use, sensitive skin may be more at risk of sunburns," Mikailov says.

Hydroquinone-Free Pigment Gel Face Serum

With a coveted recommendation from Henry and Saunders, a stellar brand reputation, and hundreds of enthusiastic online reviews, it shouldn't be surprising that PCA Skin received our best overall kojic acid skincare product.

Henry likes that it contains both kojic acid and azelaic acid, which she describes as synergistic. Kojic acid helps fade dark spots, while azelaic acid, a well-tolerated skincare ingredient, targets inflammation and irritation, promotes skin cell turnover, and even helps minimize bacteria growth.

"Honestly, testing a slew of skincare products can wreak havoc on my complexion, but whenever I incorporate PCA's kojic acid face serum into my routine, I notice my dark spots start to fade. It's the perfect reset button for playing dermatologist at home," says Saunders.

One Amazon reviewer who developed hyperpigmentation during menopause was floored that this product outperformed other kojic acid skincare products she had previously tried. "I spent thousands of dollars on vitamin C and Retin-A serums trying to lighten these spots, and this began to work in just a couple of weeks — I can't recommend it enough!" says their 5-star review.

More: Why Our Beauty Editor is Obsessed with These Face Washes for Oily Skin

Glycolic B5 Serum with Kojic Acid

Next up is this face serum from La Roche-Posay, a popular skincare brand in French pharmacies. Not only does it boast the most Amazon reviews, but this kojic acid skincare product relies on some impressive ingredients to give you cover-shot-worthy skin minus Photoshop.

The 10% concentration of glycolic acid will do the heavy lifting by sloughing away dead skin cells. But don't worry, it gets a special assist from kojic acid, lipo-hydroxy acid, tranexamic acid, and panthenol to visibly reduce skin discoloration and rehydrate parched skin. Rounding out the impressive ingredient label is La Roche-Posay's antioxidant-rich thermal spring water sourced from the French town of La Roche-Posay, naturally.

Amazon reviewers say it's excellent for targeting dark spots on their skin minus the irritation, which is always a win. "I have tried other products to help with facial dark spots or hyperpigmentation, which have felt harsh on my skin. However, this product does not," says one Amazon reviewer with "super sensitive skin."

The Takesumi Brightening Bar with Kojic Acid

A 2014 study found that depending on someone's age, race, and genetics, underarm darkness can impact up to 74% of people, so if you're also dealing with that issue, Murphy Rose suggests using this kojic acid skincare product.

The New York-based doctor loves that it combines kojic acid and licorice extract to target hyperpigmentation while cleansing and decreasing bacteria. She adds it may be used in addition to a leave-on hyperpigmentation treatment, like the Skinceuticals Discoloration Defense Dark Spot Corrector.

She's not the only fan of this natural and vegan-friendly bar. Online reviewers adore this kojic acid product because it targets dark spots on their elbows, knees, swimsuit line, inner thighs, and age spots on their hands. One Ulta reviewer gave this "lifesaving" body bar a 5-star rating because it helped tackle darkness on her underarm and swimsuit area, leaving her skin softer within just one week.

Discoloration Defense

Murphy Rose is a fan of Skinceuticals Discoloration Defense because it fights hyperpigmentation with an effective combination of 1% kojic acid, 3% tranexamic acid, and 5% niacinamide. She recommends using it twice daily and always pairing it with mineral sunscreen in the morning for broadspectrum protection against sunburns and signs of aging.

It's compatible with all skin types but is especially great for combination and oily skin because of its lightweight formulation and non-greasy feel. This kojic acid face serum is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of discoloration in all skin tones, and you can expect brighter and even-toned skin in just a couple of weeks.

Dermstore reviewers appreciate that this kojic acid skincare product reduces the appearance of dark spots without any burning or tingling sensations. The non-irritating face serum earned snaps from one reviewer who says it helps improve her hyperpigmentation and the formula is so gentle that it doesn't irritate her teenage son's skin.

Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Facial Toner

Consider incorporating this exfoliating facial toner into your routine when you have less than $20 to spare for a new kojic acid skincare product.

While not as potent as the more expensive options, it blends kojic acid with some of our favorite exfoliating and brightening skincare ingredients to ensure you slowly but surely fade dark spots. (This kojic acid face serum has less than 1% brightening vitamin C, antioxidant-rich azelaic acid, and exfoliating glycolic and lactic acids.)

FWIW, Amazon reviewers say this vegan-friendly facial toner helps even out their skin tone and helps minimize the look of large, congested pores. "It cleared my dark spots better than anything else I've tried, and I have tried many products. I also like how it evened my skin tone but is still very gentle," says one Amazon reviewer, who adds it's now a staple in their skincare routine.

Even Tone Super Glow Serum

Supercharge your skincare routine on a budget with this kojic acid skincare product. In addition to kojic acid, there's a double dose of skin brighteners — vitamin C and ferulic acid — to reduce hyperpigmentation. These antioxidant-rich ingredients also minimize free radical damage. Rounding out this impressive face serum is niacinamide.

Ulta reviewers highlight this face serum's moisturizing and brightening benefits as wins. They add it imparts a radiant glow to their skin.

"I am a board-certified dermatologist. This is my personal favorite vitamin C serum and the one that I recommend to my patients. This serum contains the exact same, highly effective combination of ingredients as the gold-standard SkinCeuticals serum, at just a fraction of the cost," says a 5-star Ulta review.

Micro-Peel TranEXamide Discoloration Treatment Serum

Those with a sensitive nose will appreciate this fragrance-free kojic acid skincare product from Glytone. Made with 1% concentration to brighten skin without irritation, there's also a potent 3% tranexamic acid that targets stubborn dark spots to ensure your complexion is more even toned with regular use.

Don't worry: This isn't an irritating face serum because it also contains 5% niacinamide, which dermatologists previously told us is safe for pretty much all skin types. Skincare pros and enthusiasts also appreciate the ingredient because it reduces lines and wrinkles.

"I love that I can use this every day and see progress without having to go into a dermatologist's office for a professional peel. I’ve done that in the past, and it really irritated my skin, but I don’t have any issues with this serum," says an Amazon reviewer dealing with post-acne scars from over a year.

Major Fade Hyper Serum

Rounding out our list is a kojic acid serum from Instagram's favorite board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Shereene Idriss, M.D. This emerging skincare hit utilizes a blend of kojic acid to fade dark spots and alpha arbutin to improve the look of an uneven skin tone.

Unsurprisingly, it's made with another derm-loved skincare ingredient: niacinamide. Not only does the ingredient treat dark spots and calm redness, but it boosts hydration and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. There's also hydrating glycerin and soothing diglucosyl gallic acid to restore the skin’s moisture barrier.

Don't just take our word for it. With a 4.87-star average from over 330 online reviews, Major Fade is among the highest-rated products featured in this kojic acid guide. To quote a 5-star Pillowtalk Derm review, "This is by far one of the best products, if not the best one, I have tried for hyperpigmentation, skin clarity, and yes, I even feel like it helps with pore size!"

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