All-Star Ingredients Guide:
Hyperpigmentation or Dark Spots
A list of the very best in skincare
Click on any ingredient to learn more
All-Star Ingredients Guide:
Hyperpigmentation or Dark Spots
A list of the very best in skincare
Click on any ingredient to learn more
Kojic acid works by preventing melanin production. Melanin is a naturally occurring pigment in the body that gives the eyes, hair, and skin their color. Decreased melanin production may have a lightening effect on the skin.
Anti-aging effect: Products containing kojic acid may lighten the skin, which can improve the appearance of age spots and sun damage. The reduction of dark spots can have an anti-aging effect.
Treat melasma: Kojic acid may also be helpful in decreasing melasma, which is darkening of the skin due to pregnancy.
Decrease the appearance of scars: Kojic acid may also reduce the discoloration of scars. Although the acid does not improve the thickness of scar tissue, it may reduce dark pigmentation associated with certain types of scars. Lightening the scar may make it less noticeable.
Antibacterial and Antifungal effects: Kojic acid may also provide antibacterial benefits. It may help decrease the chances of developing common types of bacterial skin infections. It may also be helpful in preventing and treating certain fungal infections, such as athlete's foot and yeast infections.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Switzerland
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
WHAT IT DOES:
-Healing Skin: Products that incorporate licorice extract have effectively treated skin disorders such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis as it is highly anti-inflammatory.
-Fading Dark Spots/Lightening Skin: Consistent use of licorice extract over time has been known to fade dark spots and blemishes, and lighten skin. It can also reverse darkening of scars, which are fibrous skin tissues that remain when an injury hasn't completely healed. Licorice extract is also a good natural substitute for hydroquinone, which causes adverse reactions in some users. An ingredient called glabridin helps reduce uneven skin darkening -- also known as hyper pigmentation -- caused by exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Glabridin is an active ingredient containing five flavonoids that act to depigment, or lighten, skin while blocking an enzyme that causes damaged skin to darken.
-Anti-acne: Potent antioxidants in licorice extract fight skin-damaging free radicals. Licochalcone, another ingredient in licorice, helps to regulate the skin's oil production, making it useful in anti-acne skin-care regimens, as some zit outbreaks are the result of pores being clogged by overly active oil glands.
-Contains glycyrrhetic acid and flavinoids that have antioxidant and regenerative properties
WORKS BEST IN: Creams, lotions, and skin-lightening products
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
WORKS BEST IN: Lotions, creams, sun care & after sun products, makeup products
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: UK
NATURAL INGREDIENT: No
VEGAN: Yes
WORKS BEST IN: All kinds of skin care products including cleansers, toners, masks, lotions, creams and serums
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Naturally derived
VEGAN: Yes
WORKS BEST IN: All kinds of skin care products including cleansers, toners, masks, lotions, creams and serums
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Naturally derived
VEGAN: Yes