An ingredient used in products targeting uneven-looking pigmentation.
Sources: 1, 2No alternative names recorded.
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Kojic Acid
What it does
Can reduce tyrosinase-related pigment formation; visible benefit depends on the actual product and use conditions.
Sources: 1, 2Good for
- Uneven-looking pigmentation
How to use it
Follow the finished product's directions and assess tolerance when introducing it. Ingredient research does not supply one universal dose or schedule.
Sources: 1, 2Who should be careful
Can cause irritation or allergic contact dermatitis. Irritation itself can worsen post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Sources: 1, 2Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Interacts with copper at the tyrosinase enzyme. This does not justify a blanket rule about layering with every copper-containing cosmetic.
Sources: 1, 2Potential adverse effects
Irritation or contact allergy may occur; stop a product that causes a persistent or marked reaction.
Sources: 1, 2Formulation considerations
Stability and regional restrictions need attention. Kojic acid derivatives are not interchangeable with kojic acid.
Sources: 1, 2Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1, 2Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
Names on ingredient lists
kojic acid
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 3840 | PubChem compound 3840: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C6H6O4 | PubChem compound 3840: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 142.11 g/mol | PubChem compound 3840: chemical identity |
| iupac name | 5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)pyran-4-one | PubChem compound 3840: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (3)
Scientific sources
- SCCS: Scientific opinion on kojic acidscientific opinion · 2022
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/996: vitamin A, alpha-arbutin, arbutin and certain potential endocrine disruptorsregulation · 2024
- PubChem compound 3840: chemical identitychemical identity
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