Contact allergy to kojic acid in skin care products

Abstract

Kojic acid (5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-pyrone), a fungal metabolic product, has increasingly been used as a skin-depigmenting agent in skin care products marketed in Japan since 1988. In order to determine its frequency of sensitization, during 1 year from October 1992 to September 1993, we performed patch testing with it in 220 female patients with suspected cosmetic-related contact dermatitis. Of the 220 patients, 8 used at least 1 skin care product containing kojic acid, 5 of whom reacted to kojic acid as well as to 1 or more their own products containing 1% kojic acid, but not to their other products not containing it, and 3 of whom were negative to kojic acid and all their own products. Patch testing with kojic acid in the remaining group of 212 patients, who had not previously used skin care products containing it, was negative without exception. The 5 kojic-acid-sensitive patients, aged 34 to 58 years, developed facial dermatitis 1-12 months after starting application of kojic-acid-containing products. Kojic acid is considered to have high sensitizing potential, as a comparatively high frequency of contact sensitivity was observed in patients using products containing it (5 out of 8).

Inhibition of melanogenesis by Gaillardia aristata flower extract

“…Data are mean ± standard deviation. ## p < 0.01 compared with the vehicle-treated group, **p < 0.01 compared with the SCF-treated group (n = 3) possibility of kojic acid [9,10] and weak photostability of arbutin [25]. In this study, GAE showed good antimelanogenic activity similar to those of chemicals, and no adverse skin reactions including erythema, burning, or pruritus.…”

“…However, these compounds have undesirable side effects and can be weakly active [9][10][11]. Thus, it is important to develop new depigmenting agents as inhibitors of melanin formation that are derive from natural sources, which will lessen the likelihood of unrelated cytotoxicity or other side effects [12,13].…”

Modifying skin pigmentation – approaches through intrinsic biochemistry and exogenous agents

“…Although it is effective as a hypopigmenting agent [112], especially in combination with other substances, it has a high sensitizing potential and can cause contact dermatitis [113]. Concerns have been raised about a possible carcinogenic effect since kojic acid was associated with hepatic tumors when fed to p53 deficient mice [114].…”

Review of Topical Lightening Agents

“…Although kojic acid had been widely used in skin care products in Japan, more recent clinical studies conducted there have demonstrated its highly sensitizing potential [22]. Kojic acid has also been recently banned from the Japanese market over mutagenicity concerns.…”