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Kojic acid has been used in beauty and personal care products for quite some time now, but how does it really fare against the rest of the whitening products out there in the Philippine market?
To find out more about the Kojic acid craze, we’re taking a closer look at one of the very first products that introduced the trend to the country, the Original Kojic Acid Soap.
WARNING: Always test new products on a small patch of skin and wait 24 hours to see if irritation occurs. For face products, test on your neck. For body products test on your arm. The Original Kojic Acid Soap is good for the face and body, so test on both your neck and arm. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your skin type and the product, please consult with a dermatologist.
About the Kojic Acid Soap
Before we begin the review, what exactly is kojic acid?
It was first discovered in Japan back in 1907 when it was extracted from a strain of fungus known as Aspergillus oryzae which grows on steamed rice. Scientists found out that the extraction inhibited the overproduction of melanin, the pigment responsible for your eye, hair, and skin color. The overproduction of melanin is what causes darkness in the skin, and the amino acid called tyrosine is what encourages the presence of melanin. Kojic acid actually stops tyrosine from functioning, thus acting as an effective brightening and lightening agent for whitening beauty products.
So… Why is it called kojic acid?
Well, “koji” actually means “steamed rice” in Japanese, and because the extraction came from a fungus that grows on steamed rice, the name seemed fitting.
Kojic Acid Soap Benefits
There are many benefits that come with regular use. Kojic acid soap can:
- Give you a brighter but natural skin tone, rather than the “bleached” complexion
- Deeply cleanse and exfoliates skin to unclog pores, eliminate blackheads and whiteheads, and reduce the frequency of breakouts
- Even out your skin tone and fades scars
- Lighten stubborn dark spots, dark areas, such as underarms, knees, elbows, inner thighs, and butt
- Treat skin ailments like blemishes, freckles, hyperpigmentation, and melasma as a result of sun damage
- Fight signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and dull skin
- Can protect your skin from bacterial and fungal infections
- Can moisturize dry skin
Buy the Original Kojic Acid Soap today to experience the benefits for yourself.
Kojic Acid Soap Ingredients
Here are the ingredients of the soap, along with their functions:
- Glycerine Scent – maintains longevity and fragrance of the soap
- Vitamin E – contains anti-inflammatory properties, an antioxidant that combats the effects of free radicals to help heal scars, soften skin
- Virgin Coconut Oil – cleanses and moisturizes skin, removes dead skin cells, and strengthens below-surface-level skin
- Pure Coconut Oil – prevents premature aging, retains moisture, smooths skin promotes skin growth, prevents skin cracking
- Kojic Acid – potent skin brightener that inhibits melanin production
- CDEA (Cocamide DEA/Cocamide Diethanolamine) – a foaming agent resulting from the mixture of the fatty acids from coconut oils
Note: The ingredients listed have been provided by the manufacturer. We do not have the scientific equipment to test the validity of this list. Do your own research to learn more about the functions of other skin lightening ingredients, and contact a health professional before using this product.
How to Use Kojic Acid Soap
For your face:
- Wet the soap with lukewarm water. Work into a lather.
- Massage the lather on your neck and face, avoiding your eyes and mouth. Wash your face for 30 seconds.
- Rinse face and hands with cold water.
- Pat your face dry with a towel.
For your body:
- Rinse the body with water.
- Work the soap into a lather.
- Massage soap all over the body, then let it sit for 2 to 5 minutes.
- Rinse the body thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Pat’s body dry with a towel.
Note: Pay attention to how your skin feels with the soap. Tingling sensations are normal, since the acid is working to lighten your skin. You can leave the soap lather on for 2-5 minutes, but if you feel any burning, rinse the product off immediately.
Some tips for using the soap:
- Do not use the soap directly on your face.
- Use a water-based moisturizer to hydrate your skin. Finish your beauty routine with sunscreen if you use the soap in the morning.
- Start off by leaving the lather on for 30 seconds. Over time, you ca gradually increase the time to 2 minutes or more (but no more than 5).
- Use the product once a day only. After a few weeks, you can work start using it twice a day.
- Be patient with results. Everyone has a different skin type with different skin conditions, with some people having immediate results and others not. Don’t use the soap beyond what is recommended.
WARNING: Discontinue use if you experience burning, develop rashes or allergies. Visit your doctor immediately.
Side Effects of the Soap
One of the main selling points of Kojic Acid Soap is that it’s considered to be the safe alternative to other whitening products that contain harmful ingredients like hydroquinone and mercury.
But because the product is made of potent ingredients, people with sensitive skin may not have the best experience with the soap. For those who have to use hypoallergenic personal care products, there is the possibility of contact dermatitis, especially for anyone with that existing condition, eczema, psoriasis, etc. Dryness is another side effect, which is why it’s recommended to moisturize after using the soap to whiten skin.
With topical acids, they tend to make your skin more photosensitive, meaning your skin is more vulnerable to UV rays. In order for the product to work, moisturizer and sunscreen should be applied after using the soap. Otherwise, you risk further developing hyperpigmentation, unevenness in skin tone, redness, and skin irritation. It might also be better to only use the product until you’ve reached desired skin complexion, instead of using it as a permanent part of your routine.
WARNING: Do not use this product if you have eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis or other particular skin condition. If you have allergies, please consult with your doctor or dermatologist about this product.
Also, do not use on broken skin. The soap ONLY addresses skin issues related to skin tone.
Where to Buy Kojic Acid Soap
Price: ₱185.00– ₱77.80 (58%) per pack of 5
You can buy the Original Kojic Acid Soap on Lazada for an amazing price of ₱77.80 for 5 pieces. Each bar of soap ends up being only costs ₱15.56, which is quite a steal. It also means that you don’t have to spend a fortune to stock up on the Kojic Acid Soap. You can also check the price on Lazada for other Kojic soaps.
Although there are a lot of independent resellers of the product that you can find on social media, Lazada is the best way to purchase the soap. With various payment options and nearly 5-star ratings, Lazada offers quality service and certain guarantees to ensure their customers are happy with their purchases.
Original Kojic Acid Soap
With a lot of whitening products out there that market themselves as skin bleachers, this soap is actually a breath of fresh air.
Focused on gradually evening and brightening the skin tone rather than whitening your entire complexion, the Original Kojic Acid Soap is great for eliminating dark areas that you make you feel self-conscious.
The only downside is that it’s not recommended for those with sensitive skin or for those with eczema, contact dermatitis, etc.
Alternative Product
Minimalist 2% Alpha Arbutin Serum
The Minimalist 2% serum also contains alpha arbutin and hyaluronic acid. This serum is known for its capability to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Sheena is the lead fashion writer here at Pretty Me Philippines and has contributed articles for numerous lifestyle blogs and online publications. Other than keeping up with the latest trends, she loves baking and home DIY projects.
I’m dr. Wong sulfur soap and kakatry ko palang po ng kojic kanina. Okay lang po ba na same ko ginagamit yung dalawa? Kung pwede po, ano ang uunahin na iapply?
I’m 17yrs old po.
It will depends on skin type or if there are skin problems. Please consult with you personal dermatologist.
I am using kojic for a week po. Very sensitive yung skin ko thus I have these acne on my face plus the scarring. Is it okay to continue kahit na medyo may hapdi, kati at pamumula? Eventually nawawala naman po pag-abot ng mga tatlong oras. Please help me po.
If walang improvement at mahapdi, kati at pamumula pa din then discontinue using it or better consult with a dermatologist.
I’ve been using the soap for a year now. And I can say that my skin improved. However, the improvements are so small that people that know me doesn’t notice it at all. I believe my skin developed a “tolerance” to the soap and I only feel the “hapdi” in the 30-40 mins mark. And I use this everyday and I take a bath twice a day. Meaning I spend 80 mins a day at the CR. And I’m having trouble being consistent. Please help what do I do? Should I lessen the time ? And by the way I… Read more »
It might be an idea to take a break from the soap for a month or so and then try again. Also it might be worth speaking with a dermatologist as it is really difficult for us to give any advice for this specific issue. All the best.