Final Report of the Safety Assessment of Kojic Acid as Used in Cosmetics

Abstract

Kojic acid functions as an antioxidant in cosmetic products. Kojic acid was not a toxicant in acute, chronic, reproductive, and genotoxicity studies. While some animal data suggested tumor promotion and weak carcinogenicity, kojic acid is slowly absorbed into the circulation from human skin and likely would not reach the threshold at which these effects were seen. The available human sensitization data supported the safety of kojic acid at a use concentration of 2% in leave-on cosmetics. Kojic acid depigmented black guinea pig skin at a concentration of 4%, but this effect was not seen at 1%. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded that the 2 end points of concern, dermal sensitization and skin lightening, would not be seen at use concentrations below 1%; therefore, this ingredient is safe for use in cosmetic products up to that level.

Comparative study of biological activities and multicomponent pattern of two wild Turkish species: Asphodeline anatolica and Potentilla speciosa

“…Many synthetic inhibitors have been developed, but they could show some adverse effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances and liver damage 40,41 . For this reason, there is an increasing attention in plant-derived natural enzyme inhibitors in order to avoid negative effects.…”

“…The concentrated extracts (obtained at 40 C using a rotary evaporator) were stored at +4 C until further analyses and the extraction yields were 12.2% and 6.8%, respectively.…”

Sequential release of salidroside and paeonol from a nanosphere-hydrogel system inhibits ultraviolet B-induced melanogenesis in guinea pig skin

“…38,39 The availability of depigmenting agents is presently rather limited because of their high toxicity, low stability, poor skin penetration, and insufficient activity. 40 For example, kojic acid, a tyrosinase inhibitor, has been the subject of great interest in the cosmetic industry because of its anti-pigmenting effects.…”

Study of Kinetic Parameters and Possible Inhibitory Effect on the Tyrosinase of the Halogenated Boroxine Dipotassium Trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate K2[b303f4oh]

“…Kojic acid shows a competitive inhibitory effect on monophenolase activity and a mixed inhibitory effect on the diphenolase activity of the mushroom tyrosinase. Skin irritation is the most common kojic acid side-effect, although cell mutation in mammals was also detected from results of 165 studies of kojic acid toxicity presented by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group (Burnett et al 2010). However, kojic acid is not expected to be a human carcinogen.…”