I found this really interesting question in Quora about kojic acid soap. The funny thing is, I get this question from time to time so I figured that it’s best to address it once and for all.

A Quora user asks:

I’ve been using kojic acid soap 2 weeks now but I notice my skin gets darker instead of whiter. Is it natural?

The answer is NO.

Your skin is supposed to get lighter/even-toned while using the soap.

If your skin is getting darker, this means that you’re probably doing one of these things:

1. You’re spending way too much time under the sun.

Spending time under the sun is a NO-NO for a kojic acid soap user.


It’s because kojic acid exfoliates the skin. When the skin is exfoliated, it becomes very sensitive to sunlight.

As I’ve mentioned in this article, heightened skin sensitivity is one of kojic acid’s side effects.

Kojic acid is very similar to AHAs (glycolic acid, etc.) and BHAs (salicylic acid, etc.), where if you use any of these acids, then your skin becomes sensitive to sunlight.

2. You don’t wear sunscreen.

Listen, you’re not the only one. I’m guilty as well.

I was born and raised in a small town and sunscreen isn’t our thing. In fact, I’ve only started using it a few years ago after being scolded by my dermatologist.

Unfortunately, for people like us who use kojic acid soap, wearing sunscreen EVERYDAY is a MUST.

So, if you don’t want to wear sunscreen, then please don’t use kojic soap. THAT SIMPLE.

3. You’re using the wrong products with the soap.

Well, here’s the thing: people always OVERDO their skin care!

What do I mean about this?

I know some people who like to use too much stuff on their skin.

I was talking to a cousin of mine who complained to me about getting darker while using the kojic soap. Here’s how our convo went:

Cousin: I feel like I’m getting darker using the soap.

Me: What’s your regimen like?

Cousin: Use the soap, then kojic acid toner, then glycolic serum, then malic acid cream.


This is exactly what I’m talking about. People like to use too much stuff on their skin thinking that it will produce results faster.

But it’s the contrary.

I would strongly suggest to keep it simple.

This should be your routine: Soap -> toner (optional but highly recommended) -> natural oil or pH-balanced mild moisturizer without AHAs/BHAs or any type of acids. That’s it people!

If you follow these tips, I can assure you that you’ll see a lighter and even skin tone within 8 weeks. Again, PATIENCE and CONSISTENCY are the keys for kojic acid soap to work.