Kojic Acid (CAS: C25) is a naturally occurring substance found in various plants and animals. It is used as a natural preservative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent, skin softener and more.
It was first discovered in 1879 when it was isolated from the bark of the birch tree. Since then it has been studied extensively for its many health benefits.
The active ingredient in kojic acid is called as 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,5-dimethylpropanoic acid or MKPHA. It is one of the most potent antioxidants known today.
It has been shown to have anti-aging properties, prevent cell damage and even slow down aging itself.
In fact, it may even reverse some age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Some studies show that kojic acid has similar effects on human cells as vitamin E does. Vitamin E protects against free radicals, while kojic acid prevents them from damaging your body.
There are several studies showing that kojic acid improves the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, reduces redness and swelling around the eyes, reduces acne scars and helps with reducing the signs of aging. It also helps reduce hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure and psoriasis.
It is also a great anti-inflammatory agent. It is used as an acne medication in countries like Philippines, and is often used to lighten the skin.
It has been shown to get rid of freckles and dark spots caused by the sun.
Another major benefit of kojic acid is its ability to reduce the size of moles and warts on the skin. It also helps prevent the spread of cancerous cells.
It is sometimes used to treat genital warts and papilloma viruses, a virus responsible for causing genital and mouth warts.
Some studies have shown that kojic acid helps with weight loss. It has been used to lighten skin as well as treat various types of cancer.
It has also been shown to prevent the growth of the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores. It is also used to help prevent and treat athlete’s foot.
Research is still ongoing for other kojic acid uses, but many researchers believe it can help people with various types of cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, melanoma and other types of tumors. It may even be used to help prevent the spread of various forms of cancer.
This is just a short list of some of the major benefits of kojic acid. It has many others that are still being discovered.
One thing is certain, kojic acid is a natural wonder for many different types of conditions.
Kojic acid is available in many different forms such as creams, soap, lotions, gels, washes and more. Always check with your doctor before using it to make sure it will be safe for you.
Kojic acid is a natural substance that has many proven benefits. It is worth trying for treating skin conditions such as wrinkles, age spots, freckles, dark spots and more.
Always check with your doctor before using it to make sure it is safe for you.
Thanks for reading!
Terry
Image: Creative Commons: My5ty / Flickr
Sources & references used in this article:
Treatment of melasma using kojic acid in a gel containing hydroquinone and glycolic acid by JTE Lim – Dermatologic surgery, 1999 – Wiley Online Library
Evaluation of health aspects of kojic acid in food by GA Burdock, MG Soni, IG Carabin – Regulatory toxicology and …, 2001 – Elsevier
Inhibition mechanism of kojic acid on polyphenol oxidase by JS Chen, CI Wei, MR Marshall – Journal of Agricultural and Food …, 1991 – ACS Publications
