The 5 Best Kojic Acid Soaps

If you're one of the many skincare nerds out there, you've probably heard of powerhouse ingredients like retinol, lactic acid, and glycolic acid...but what about kojic acid? If you struggle with scarring from the sun or acne, or uneven coloring of any kind, incorporating kojic acid into your routine is a must-do, especially in the form of a soap. Why? Because kojic acid soap can help to lighten the skin, magically getting rid of dark marks and lessening the appearance of sun damage, brown spots, and acne scars. It's a truly effective treatment, especially if you use your kojic acid-infused soap a couple times per day (as long as your skin can take that, it is). There's no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed of your dark marks anymore; all you have to do is invest in a good kojic acid soap, and let the magic begin.

Kojie San Large Skin Whitening Soap

Brighter, tighter, better skin in minutes

The OG kojic acid soap is still the best.
Best Overall

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Billed as “the original kojic acid lightening soap,” the Kojie San Skin Whitening Soap is a revelation for those who struggle with dark spots, scarring, and hyperpigmentation. The soap’s formulation combines super-effective (and all-natural) whitening ingredients with hydrating, nourishing coconut oil, so skin stays supple and moisturized even as discoloration and scars fade. You only have to apply this soap once a day to see results: a brighter, more even skin tone, fewer dark marks, and an overall healthy look.

Pros:

  • The OG kojic acid soap; it’s a powerhouse product for lightening and brightening skin.
  • Formula combines skin-whitening ingredients with coconut oil, so skin says nourished and hydrated instead of drying out.
  • Apply once a day and enjoy near-instant results.

Cons:

  • If skin is super-dry to begin with, you’ll need to ramp up the moisture after using this product. Even though it’s more moisturizing than other kojic acid soaps, it’ll dry out super-dry skin types.

Koji White Pure Kojic Acid Skin Lightening Soap

Sun, sun, go away

If you struggle with sun damage, repair your skin with this highly effective soap from Koji White.
Best for Sun Damage

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Sunshine feels good, and a tan may make your skin temporarily glow…but the long-term damage simply isn’t worth it. If you’re struggling with the results of sun damage (aka dark spots, discoloration, and other imperfections), it’s time to get your hands on Koji White’s Pure Kojic Acid Skin Lightening Soap. The highly concentrated formula is infused with hyaluronic acid and coconut oil, which means that it penetrates deeply into skin without harming or irritating it. After just a few uses, you’ll enjoy brighter, healthier-looking skin with fewer dark spots.

Pros:

  • Targets problems caused by sun damage, like dark spots and an uneven skin tone.
  • Formula includes hyaluronic acid and coconut oil, so skin doesn’t get irritated or inflamed.
  • Not tested on animals.
  • Awesome value buy.

Cons:

  • Be extra-careful when using around the eye area (as in, don’t get it around your eyes); otherwise, it could break this sensitive skin.

Marie France Skin and Body Care Kojic Acid Soap

Slather it on, head to toe

Bodily skin imperfections, be gone.
Best for Body

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Got dark marks, scarring, and other imperfections all over the body? You’re not alone, but you should be using Marie France’s Kojic Acid Soap. This highly effective soap is manufactured in small batches to maximize its potency, so you can rest assured that you’re getting a high-caliber product. It’s awesome at lightening hyperpigmentation and dark spots on every part of the body (not just the face), including elbows, legs, thighs, underarms, and more.

Pros:

  • Manufactured in small batches, so it’s potent and very effective.
  • Great for lightening dark spots and discoloration all over the body, not just on the face.

Cons:

  • This soap is incredibly strong; you have to be extra-careful to read the instructions. Probably not a good product for those with sensitive skin.

Relumins Kojic Acid & Glutathione Soap

Best for shoppers on a budget

Considering that you get five bars of soap with this Relumins product, we'd call that a steal.
Best Value Buy

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Get brighter, more gorgeous skin even when you’re on a budget, with the Relumins Dual Kojic Acid Soap. This much-beloved product is just as effective as other kojic acid soaps, although considering that you get five soaps in one pack, it’s more affordable than most other soaps out there. The formula is comprised of special extracts that micro-exfoliate and nourish the skin, in addition to lightening age spots, scarring, and other dark spots. Skin appears more youthful and glowy after just a couple uses, and continuous use will make skin look radiant and dark mark-free.

Pros:

  • Really great value; you get five soaps in one pack.
  • Formula has extracts that exfoliate and moisturize the skin, in addition to lightening dark spots.
  • Delicate, pleasant scent.

Cons:

  • Skin may appear red or inflamed for a while after initial use.

Koji White Kojic Acid & Collagen Skin Lightening Soap

Stave off wrinkles while you're at it

Why not banish wrinkles and signs of aging while you're lightening the skin? This Kojic White soap will do just that.
Best Collagen-Infused

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If you’ve never used collagen on your skin, then you’re in for a treat: This awesomely effective ingredient hydrates and strengthens skin, which can in turn help to slow the aging process. Enter the Kojic Acid & Collagen Skin Lightening Soap from Koji White, which works to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, thanks to its unique formula that’s infused with vitamin E, fruit extracts, and collagen, plus lightening ingredients. Enjoy a beautiful, even-toned, wrinkle-free complexion when you use this soap.

Pros:

  • Has a unique formula that contains skin-lightening ingredients and collagen, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Also very effective at thoroughly cleansing the skin and sloughing off dead skin cells.

Cons:

  • Results may take a while to notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is kojic acid?

Kojic acid is a fungi byproduct of fermentation; it halts the production of melanin and lightens the skin.

What benefits does kojic acid have for the skin? 

When used in a serum, soap, cleanser, or other skincare product, kojic acid can greatly help lessen the appearance of sun damage, dark sports, and other hyperpigmentation. In effect, kojic acid lightens the skin, so any dark marks are erased or reduced.

What skin types can benefit most from kojic acid soaps?

Rather than being good for a specific skin type, kojic acid is a great product to use for those who are prone to hyperpigmentation. That being said, if you have particularly sensitive skin, tread carefully: Kojic acid is a strong ingredient.

About the Author

When she isn’t doing yoga, writing, or cooking, Justine adores shopping secondhand and frequently peruses popular vintage and thrift shop social media accounts for new looks and the latest trends. She firmly believes that everyone deserves to have well-fitting clothes that they love and feel great wearing, so she's here to help you find the perfect items for you.

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