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.

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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

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:

1. Wet the soap with lukewarm water. Work into a lather.
2. Massage the lather on your neck and face, avoiding your eyes and mouth. Wash your face for 30 seconds.
3. Rinse face and hands with cold water.
4. Pat your face dry with a towel.

For your body:

1. Rinse the body with water.
2. Work the soap into a lather.
3. Massage soap all over the body, then let it sit for 2 to 5 minutes.
4. Rinse the body thoroughly with lukewarm water.
5. 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:

1. Do not use the soap directly on your face.
2. Use a water-based moisturizer to hydrate your skin. Finish your beauty routine with sunscreen if you use the soap in the morning.
3. 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).
4. Use the product once a day only. After a few weeks, you can work start using it twice a day.
5. 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.

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.

Buy From Amazon

We try the latest bleaching soap to reach the Philippines and cover everything in an honest manner to give you all the information that other Navarro bleaching reviews miss!

From spot treatments to deodorants and soaps to lotions, there are a ton of cosmetic products out there that claim to solve all uneven skin tone issues. Some have the ability to fade acne scars, while others don’t quite deliver such promises. One of the newest products in the Philippine market is Navarro’s Bleaching Soap, so how does it fare with the rest of its competition? Let’s find out.

Safety First! Before Using Navarro’s Bleaching Soap…

Before doing a skin patch test (which is a must for any bleaches or peelers), please consult a dermatologist to ensure it is safe for you to use. Once you’ve been cleared, try out the bleaching soap on a patch of skin for a few days before using it on the rest of your body.

About the Navarro’s Bleaching Soap

Navarro Bleach is a brand that has a few bleaching products under its belt, including a dry mix that can be turned into cream, lotions, and soaps. Today, we will solely be focusing on the latest product, the bleaching soap with the strawberry formula, weighing 135 grams.

Simply put, the soap is for lightening your complexion, but it’s marketed beyond a simple skin lightener. In fact, it’s said to address a number of skin problems, including but not limited to the following:

• Uneven skin pigmentation or discoloration
• Dark spots
• Age spots
• Melasma, due to sun exposure or hormonal changes due to pregnancy
• Scars
• Freckles
• Acne/Pimples
• Stretch marks

In addition to all of that, it’s also said to unclog pores, reduce enlarged pores, and even reduce body odor. Plus, it also has SPF 20, which offers some protection against the sun when you’re outside.

Navarro’s Bleach Ingredients

The soap contains three potent ingredients: Milk, bleach, and AHA strawberry serum.

Each ingredient has its own benefits:

• Milk – a gentle and nourishing cleanser that eliminates impurities, shedding dead skin cells and a dull surface to reveal new, soft, moisturized skin. Its antibacterial effects keep the skin acne-free and prevent premature aging.
• Bleach – lightens any dark patches or spots due to sun damage, hormonal changes, acne scars, etc.
• AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) Strawberry Serum – a natural exfoliant that speeds up the shedding process. It visibly brightens skin and also has anti-aging effects. Also helps unclog pores and reduces enlarged pores.

Navarro’s Bleach Before and After

Rumored to be the most effective whitening soap in the Philippines, Navarro Bleaching Soap functions beyond just a skin lightener. According to the ingredients and their effects mentioned earlier, the soap:

• Whitens skin
• Repairs skin
• Renews skin
• Moisturizes skin
• Improves elasticity/Tightens skin
• Reduces acne and blemishes

Many customers have taken before and after shots and shared their results on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. With day-by-day comparisons, results are actually instantaneous, with some able to see a difference even after the first day of use.

Is Navarro’s Bleach Safe?

Having any skincare product that says “bleach” can be concerning, and any responsible consumer would and should question the safety of such items, and Navarro’s Bleach is no exception.

While its unknown what specific formula of bleach is used, Navarro’s Bleach Soap does NOT contain:

• Mercury – is used in some skin-lightening products BUT is associated with neurological and kidney impairment
• Ammonia – helps create lather in skincare products BUT can cause irritation and burns, especially for dry and sensitive skin
• Hydroquinone – improves hyperpigmentation BUT increases sensitivity to the sun, and also may have carcinogenic effects

Though it doesn’t seem to contain any dangerous substances, YouTuber Makeup ni Maria says that the soap will irritate those with sensitive skin, like her. While the soap worked for the rest of her body, the bleaching soap didn’t bode so well with her face. She recommends a skin patch test on BOTH your arm and neck.

The product is safe to use for expecting and nursing mothers, given they don’t have sensitive or dry skin. However, skin type can vary during any hormonal changes, thus regardless if you’re pregnant/lactating or not, you should always talk to your physician or a dermatologist before using any new products.

How to Use Navarro’s Bleach

Navarro’s bleach instructions are quite easy to follow, but be aware the soap can be used on both the face and body with separate instructions for each.

For your face

1. Wet soap, then rub it between hands to produce a lather. ONLY USE THE LATHER ON YOUR FACE, NOT THE SOAP.
2. Lightly apply the lather in circular motions to gently cleanse the face and neck. DO NOT RUB THE PRODUCT ONTO THE SKIN.
3. Thoroughly rinse the face and neck, then pat dry with a soft towel.

Note: There is no need to rub the product into the skin since the soap has natural exfoliants that work their magic upon skin contact.

For your body

1. Rinse soap all over the body to produce a lather.
2. Leave lather on the body for 3-5 minutes.
3. Thoroughly rinse the body, then pat dry pat body dry with a soft towel.

There are a few things you should avoid when using the product:

• Do not rub the soap or lather on your skin. Always be gentle when lathering.
• Do not use it around your eyes.
• Do not use it on dry patches of skin, rashes, or wounds.
• Do not use it in place of your deodorant.
• Do not leave the product on for more than 20 minutes.
• Do not pull on peeling skin. You can lightly exfoliate in the shower with a loofah to remove the flaky skin.

For optimal results, use sunscreen in your daily beauty routine as your main protection against the sun and to counter any further damage from UV rays.

Navarro’s Bleach Side Effects

The caution label on the product reads as follows:

For external use only. Do a skin test before using this product.

You may feel a bearable tingling and itching sensation during bleaching.

Do not rub/scratch the skin to avoid rashes. Do not apply on open wounds.

Avoid contact with eyes. Discontinue use if irritation persists.

Store in a cool dry place.

So is Navarro bleach safe? Following all instructions and precautions, results should be favorable. However, the formula can feel drying (even though it technically isn’t), which is to be expected, considering the soap speeds up the natural process of skin peeling. So around the fourth or fifth day (and in some cases, as early as the third day), the skin will feel dry and peel.

Your skin pH on your face is very different from the rest of your body, so while a skin patch test on your arm might show no signs of irritation, you cannot assume that the same will apply to your face. Redness may occur if your face is generally sensitive to most products.

If the product is improperly used, side effects include burning, itching, redness, and rashes.

Navarro’s Bleach Soap

Although the name might imply that soap will whiten your skin, it doesn’t necessarily do so, despite some before and after pictures, which were probably edited to exaggerate the potency of the product.

Rather, Navarro’s Bleaching Soap reverses the damage caused by sun exposure, breakouts, and others, evening out discoloration so that you have an even complexion all throughout your body.

With that said, the soap is still extremely effective in fading any and every dark patch or spot, much more so than most “whitening” products out there.