Over 14,000 Amazon Shoppers Say This Kojic Acid Soap Is ‘Magic’ (2024)

“Made without animal fat, this handmade soap contains turmeric extract, honey, kojic acid, vitamin C, and shea butter to brighten and cleanse the skin of the body and face,” says Dr. Camp. Turmeric and vitamin C help to brighten skin and fade hyperpigmentation along with kojic acid, while soothing ingredients like honey, shea butter, aloe vera, and coconut oil help to nourish and hydrate skin. Plus: This pick is super affordable, at only $10 for a total of three soap bars.

Shoppers say that this soap lathers well, has a nice lemony scent, and leaves skin “feeling clean and fresh” without drying it out. “I have been using this soap for several weeks and have noticed lightening of some dark spots on my skin,” wrote one Amazon reviewer who rated it a perfect five stars. “The soap lathers well and rinses clean. The best part is that it doesn’t irritate my skin.”

Dr. Camp recommends this kojic acid body wash from Organic Extract, which offers a hydrating formula designed to gently cleanse and exfoliate while also providing essential moisture to your skin. “Made with turmeric, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties; kojic acid, which helps to brighten skin; and shea butter and aloe vera for hydration, this body wash aims to reduce the appearance of blemishes and uneven skin tone and revitalize skin,” he says.

“The best skincare product I own! I have very sensitive skin and this is perfect for me,” shared one satisfied Amazon shopper. “I use it on my face and body— it leaves my skin nice and moisturized, and also has evened my skin tone.”

If you’re searching for a kojic acid soap to use on your face, try this top-rated pick from Koji White, which comes in a pack of two bars and currently has over 14,000 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers. The advanced formula (which is vegan, SLS-free, and paraben-free) is powered by 5% kojic acid and 1% vitamin C to visibly fade the appearance of dark spots, melasma, and pigmentation, along with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, tea tree extract, coconut oil to hydrate and nourish skin.

One satisfied Amazon customer calls it “the super hero of skin,” writing: “This soap literally is magic. I’ve been using it for about a year now and I see such an amazing difference—my skin is brighter, all the dark spots I used to have disappeared like they were never even there in the first place.”

Diane Madfes, M.D., F.A.A.D, a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, says this pick is an “excellent cleansing product” with kojic acid. “The pads cover a large surface area for better cleansing,” she explains. Along with coming in the form of travel-friendly, easy-to-use cotton pads (which you apply onto your skin, then rinse off), this cleanser also boasts a soothing formula made with a blend of all-natural ingredients—including turmeric, vitamin C, lemon peel, and chamomile.

Reviewers love that this product is easy to use. One user says that it results in “glowing skin in just a swipe,” writing: “The combination of kojic acid and turmeric helps to brighten and even out my skin tone, reducing the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. My skin feels clean, smooth, and refreshed after each use.”

One of Amazon’s best-selling skincare products, this popular kojic acid soap boasts over a whopping 38,000 ratings from customers—and it’s not hard to see why. This kojic acid soap comes packed with a plethora of soothing ingredients to help brighten, exfoliate, and nourish skin, including turmeric, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, collagen, vitamin E, shea butter, and castile olive oil. It’s also SLS and paraben-free, and suitable for the face and anywhere on the body.

Amazon users swear by this soap for glowing, smooth skin. “Alright, I don’t usually rave about soap, but this kojic acid bar? It’s like a magic eraser for your face,” one reviewer said. “Dark spots? Gone. Skin? Smooth as silk. It’s got vitamin C, retinol, collagen, turmeric—all the fancy stuff packed into one bar. I feel like I just got a whole skincare routine without the 17-step drama.”

Looking for a gentle kojic acid soap for sensitive skin? This pick from Body Restore is fragrance-free with no added scents or perfumes (though it’s also offered in a grapefruit or vanilla scent)—not to mention, it’s formulated without any chemicals, parabens, or artificial dyes or coloring. Coming in a pack of two bars, the soap contains vitamins C and E, collagen, retinol, turmeric, hyaluronic acid to lighten dark spots and promote healthy, even skin texture.

Shoppers with sensitive skin love that it’s gentle and non-irritating. “My face and body are very reactive to ingredients, so I carefully researched the ingredients: paraben-free—check, fragrance-free—check,” wrote one reviewer. “As I age, I am noticing a few ‘sun spots’ that I am very self-conscious about, and I’m already seeing a bit of lightening. The soap doesn't have any fragrance, just a very light, sweet smell...It lathers nicely and doesn’t leave an itchy film.”

For a more multi-purpose kojic acid product, this cleansing bar truly does it all: It’s a three-in-one daily cleanser, exfoliator, and brightening mask, formulated with not just kojic acid but also azelaic acid and niacinamide, both of which also help to improve the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone. Each jar includes a cleansing bar and an exfoliating sponge, which you can use to create a creamy lather and gently massage onto the face.

The brand, which is known for creating products for darker skin tones and melanin-rich skin, says this cleanser is best-suited for normal to dry skin types—but not recommended for those with extremely dry skin.

“Magic in a jar.... This leaves my skin SO clean, and never feels stripped of moisture. My skin feels like velvet and glows,” raved one Amazon shopper. “It seems to keep my annoying open comedones (on chin and crease of nose) clear of gunk and keeps those nasties from becoming blackheads...Over time I've noticed the dark appearance of the blackheads and enlarged pores seems to be reduced.”

✔️ Consider your skin type. Though kojic acid soaps can work on most skin types, experts say that those with sensitive or dry skin should be cautious as it may sometimes cause irritation. “Those with dry skin may want to opt for soaps with moisturizing properties,” advises Dr. Gohara. “Always do a patch test before using it regularly.”

✔️ Check for gentle, soothing ingredients. “Look for kojic acid as a primary ingredient, but also check for soothing ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, or coconut oil to help balance any potential irritation,” says Dr. Gohara. She also recommends avoiding soaps with harsh chemicals in the formula, like parabens or sulfates—especially if you have sensitive skin.

✔️ Look for other skin-brighteners. Dr. Camp advises looking for other skin-brightening ingredients in kojic acid soaps, including azelaic acid, retinol, glycolic acid, and hydroquinone. “Each of these works differently than kojic acid and may be tolerated differently,” he notes. Other popular ingredients known for targeting hyperpigmentation and dark spots and evening your skin tone include turmeric, vitamin C, and niacinamide or vitamin B.

Kojic acid soaps can help brighten skin and promote a more even complexion. According to experts, kojic acid works by inhibiting the production of melanin in your skin, thereby helping to target and reduce the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and age spots.

The ingredient also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, too. “Because it possesses antioxidant properties, kojic acid may infer anti-aging benefits by protecting skin from the damaging effects of free oxygen radicals,” says Dr. Camp.

However, Dr. Madfes notes that kojic acid may be more effective in topical preparations—such as serums and face creams—than in soaps, which “have limited contact with the skin and decreased efficacy,” she explains. For that reason, she doesn’t always recommend using kojic acid soaps on their own. Still, the brightening and antioxidant effects of the ingredient may also apply to using kojic acid soap. “If you are using a kojic acid soap, it’s helpful to combine it with other ingredients such as turmeric or glycolic acids,” Dr. Madfes advises.

“It’s best to use kojic acid soap 2-3 times a week initially to see how your skin reacts,” advises Dr. Gohara. “For some, daily use may be fine, but others might need to limit it to avoid irritation or dryness.”

Using kojic acid soaps can result in potential side effects, such as contact dermatitis, a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed or irritated as a result of direct contact with a substance. “Symptoms of irritant contact dermatitis include redness, irritation, flaking, and itching,” says Dr. Camp. “While generally well-tolerated, new skincare ingredients should be used cautiously, especially by those with more sensitive skin.”

One important thing to remember: It’s essential to use a SPF moisturizer daily whenever you’re using an ingredient to brighten skin, says Dr. Camp. “This is because the sun could potentially reverse the benefits you achieve with a skin-brightening product,” he explains. “To maintain its effects, it is important to protect skin from the effects of UV radiation.”