Kojic Acid is a product derived from several species of fungi, is known to limit melanin production -- the substance that gives skin its color. It is a common ingredient in skin lightening or depigmenting products. It  widely used to whiten, cosmetic applied as a skin lightening agent due to its potential to inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is necessary for the synthesis of melanin, which offers skin its coloring. Kojic Acid is a product derived from several species of fungi, is known to limit melanin production -- the substance that gives skin its color. It is a common ingredient in skin lightening or depigmenting products. It  widely used to whiten, cosmetic applied as a skin lightening agent due to its potential to inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is necessary for the synthesis of melanin, which offers skin its coloring.
 

(1) Kojic acid is a kind of specialized inhibitor for melanin. It can prevent the tyrosinase activity through synthesizing with copper ion in the cells after it enters skin cells. Kojic acid and its derivative has better inhibitory effect on tyrosinase than any other skin whitening agents. At present it is assigned into various kinds of cosmetics for curing freckles,spots on the skin of old man,pigmentation and acne.

(2) Kojic acid can also eliminate free radical, strengthen cell activity of cell and keep the
food fresh.

(3) Kojic acid also has antibacterial and antifungal properties.