K-Drama actors often have to shoot for long hours in the sun and exposure to the sun could often lead to skin conditions like dark patches, pigmentation, melasma, sun burn, wrinkles, fine lines and several other adverse effects. Since actors cannot avoid being out in the Sun, they have to take precautionary measures to prevent harm.

One such magic ingredient that most K-Drama actors have in handy and incorporate in their skincare routine is kojic acid. Kojic acid is one of the most potent and important ingredients used in skincare, especially in correctional skincare, to deal with severe problems like melasma.

Melasma is a dark skin discoloration, thought to be caused by sun exposure, hormone changes, genetic predisposition, and skin irritation. While it can affect anyone, melasma is common in women, especially pregnant women and the ones taking oral or patch contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications.

Kojic acid is a chelation agent produced by several fungi species, especially Aspergillus oryzae, which has the Japanese common name koji. Chelation, a type of bonding of ions and molecules to metal ions, involves the formation or presence of two or more separate coordinate bonds between a polydentate ligand and a single central atom. These ligands are called chelants, chelators, chelating agents, or sequestering agents.

Kojic acid is a by-product in the fermentation process of malting rice for use in the manufacturing of sake, the Japanese rice wine. It is a mild inhibitor of pigment formation in plant and animal tissues and is used in food and cosmetics to preserve or change the colors of substances. It is this inhibitory function of kojic acid that leads to it becoming a key element in treating melasma, which is basically, over production of melanin due to several causes.

If the causes cannot be directly addressed, the symptoms are and this is when kojic acid comes in handy. It is a second line treatment option and thus, often a final resort when nothing else works.

Kojic acid helps with melasma by preventing tyrosine production, the amino acid responsible for producing melanin (skin pigment). It also works as an antioxidant in your skincare products.

Kojic acid is often used topically to treat several different cosmetic conditions, mostly visible sun damage and dark spots, and uneven skin tone. It is important to note that kojic acid is only to be used topically and that too, in very small quantities. It's been approved for use in cosmetic products in concentrations of 1 percent or less. As a result, one has to be extremely careful about kojic acid concentration that one is applying to the skin.

One of the most important uses of kojic acid therefore, is in treatment of melasma. As melasma can affect the aesthetic of an individual as well as influence their self-confidence, kojic acid is a savior ingredient when it comes to solutions.

However, kojic acid should be used very carefully and according to the severity of the melasma, the recovery period can differ from person to person. Exposure to sun can extend this period as well. Since the amount of kojic acid that can be used at once is minimal, the time it takes for the improvement of skin tone is quite longer than other chemical and harmful procedures.

As a result, kojic acid should be used in combination with sunscreen and other sun protection products for best results in the shortest amount of time.

In a study of forty women who experienced melasma, it showed that combining glycolic acid and hydroquinone with kojic acid improved the efficacy of the treatments alone, and wherein 60% of the women reported significant improvement by the end of 12 weeks.

Kojic acid can be found in several different beauty and skincare products and in various forms and different consistencies, including powder form products, serums, lotions, creams, cleansers, and soaps. Depending on individual instructions of different products, it is advisable to use powder form kojic acid along with a liquid or semi liquid product such as lotions or creams and even toners.

Kojic acid skincare in the form of cleansers and soap are meant to be washed off immediately after application as prolonged exposure of the skin to the acid could lead to burns. Others product types like creams and serums, are designed to be left on and absorbed into the skin. Kojic acid face masks are meant to be used on special occasions only, perhaps once or twice a week.

Kojic acid creams and cleansers are safe to be integrated into your skincare routine to be used about 3 times a week. While kojic acid products are usually used on the face and hands, it is safe to use it on any non-sensitive area of the skin. However, one must make sure that they're not using it on broken or wounded skin.

In addition to preventing wrinkles and fine lines as well as reversing skin ageing, kojic acid is also intensely anti-microbial. It may thus help to fight off several common types of bacterial strains, even in small dilutions. This can help treat acne caused by bacteria in the skin or even address fungal acne. It may also lighten scars from acne that haven't faded yet or acne that has been picked on and looks like it will persist.

As mentioned before, the anti-fungal properties of kojic acid is often put to use in antifungal creams or washes. It is thus, even medically useful in treating fungal infections of the skin like yeast infections, candidiasis, and ringworm or athlete's foot. If soap containing kojic acid is used regularly, with ample amount of rinsing, it may help prevent bacterial and fungal infections on the body.

It is no shock therefore that K-Drama actors make use of this magic ingredient in their skincare routine!

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Written by Ishani Sarkar.