Kojic acid is not only for lightening overall skin tone but also for light and dark skin complexions that can benefit in blending dark areas or spots due to sun damage or natural aging. This for everyone is like getting back the skin tone of your youth. Those with freckles, age spots, blemishes, uneven skin tone and melasma can benefit by using a kojic acid product. Dark spots and uneven skin tone is the result of over productive melanocytes cells that deposit melanin unevenly. (see "skin damage" below) Since being in the USA I have found a great need for light complexions that have suffered skin damage due to a lifetime of sun exposure, and I have witnessed so many that have had such a dramatic reversal of uneven skin tone and reduction of visible dark spots.What to Look for When Buying "Kojic Acid Powder"Appearance: off-white tan needle-like crystalsSupport from a long term user of skin whitening productsBeware when buying kojic acid powderSo who you buy from makes it a quality purchase or a gamble.About Kojic Acid (and how it works)Kojic acid is the safe active ingredient in skin whitening products such as soaps, lotions, creams and ointments that lightens and corrects skin tone and spots due to melanocytes cell damage. That includes freckles, acne scars, age spots, melasma and any skin tone that is uneven or sun damaged. Kojic acid is an all-natural substance discover in the early 1900's. Then in 1989 kojic acid is rediscovered in Japan for its skin lightening properties for skin care use. Since then it has become one of the leading effective ingredients due to being proven safer than others that have been suspect of being carcinogenic (cause cancer) and others that permanently damage your skins natural rejuvenation process. Kojic acid is now known as a safe alternative that is an effective and proven skin whitening agent that is reversible. (Will not permanently alter your natural skin functions, like many other skin bleaching products do)Skin DamageWhat Causes Skin Damage?Everyone has melanocytes cells that produce “melanin”. Melanin protects the skin from sun burning once built up over time by repeated sun exposure that creates a darker skin pigment (aka suntan) that increases and protects us from sun burn. But melanocyte cells can become damaged if we have too much sun exposure over the years. This is what causes freckles, age spots, blemishes, uneven skin tone and melasma over time.How do Kojic acid products work?Kojic acid is applied topically by incorporating it into a lotion, soap, ointment, etc. to reduce the production of melanin and that reverses the darkening process and evens out skin tone. There is no safe overnight remedy to a lighter even skin tone and kojic acid is not an overnight cure. Any product that gives overnight results has most likely permanently damaged your skin cells and a blotchy irreversible skin tone will more than likely be inevitable. Be safe always research the products you use! Read the report below on "Consider the Safety of the Skin Bleaching Product You Use"Your skin takes 4 to 8 weeks for a total cellular regeneration of renewed skin layers. This is when with the regular use of a kojic acid product your skin's production of melanin is reduced and the skin evens out due to the lack of this darkening agent. Consistent kojic acid application manages the damaged melanocyte cells to decrease the over production of melanin and that allows your skin's dark color to lighten into your evened out and natural lighter color. So your skins rejuvenation cycle is repeated over and over with less of the darkening agent "melanin" each time. Darker and more damaged skin can expect to see improvement sooner than lighter skin tones, but all can expect improvements with continued and consistent use through several skin cell rejuvenation cycles. For best results a skin lightening regimen that consists of exfoliation of dead skin cells and the use of a strong kojic acid soap along with a 1 to 2 percent lotion is recommended. (A suggested skin lightening regimen is included with each order)The key to using kojic acid is not by using high percentages but in the regular everyday use 2 times per day “morning and/or night” of a 1% to 2% lotion/cream. Once your desired results start to show, try 1 time a day then every other day to maintain your desired skin tone. Adjust your applications accordingly to your personal need and preferred results that you see over time. You may even stop using for a time period to see how your skin will reverse or stabilize; this gives your skin a refresh cycle. You can go back on maintenance or twice a day as you see fit.Complete mixing, usage and storage instructions are included with product. (How to heat, mix plus everything you need to know about kojic acid powder, how to keep it fresh and how to store your mixed lotions, etc. Also includes conversion tables: GRAMS to TEASPOONS & OUNCES conversions, etc. You will feel confident with our complete instructions that come with every purchase)Solution of 1% or 2% for lotions and creams should be made. Up to 5% can be used when making soaps due to being left on for only 2 to 10 minutes after shower then rinsed off.Kojic acid dissolves well in warm/hot creams and lotions as it is water soluble and lotions are typically over 60-80 percent water. Step by step guidance and fast replies to your questions when you contact us for any help you may need.Our products are stored properly and guaranteed to be the finest quality.Also many customers comment that the information we include makes all the difference in their successful skin whitening regimen.Precautions to take before using a skin lightening productIf you have never used our pure kojic acid product, first test a small area of your skin when it arrives to make sure you don’t have a reaction to the product. Most do not have any reactions if used properly, but over use can cause skin irritation and itchiness so slack off a bit if this occurs. If it is the 99.5% pure “kojic acid powder” that you bought, be sure to dilute it to 1% to 4% and then perform a skin test. (See our website for more information) Always use sun block on exposed skin when in the sun when using kojic acid products!Don’t put off talking with your health care provider if you have any new changes in dark spots before your use of a skin lightening product. Ask your dermatologist to look at these spots that you plan to remove. If any may be precancerous it may be much more difficult to diagnose later. So before using any skin whitening product it is precautionary to have unusual brown spots or moles on your body to be looked at by a dermatologist. You should always consult with a professional skin care provider for professional advice and treatment. It is not our intention to treat, cure or diagnose any disease.