Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid
About Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid
Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid is a topical cream used to treat skin hyperpigmentation, melasma, and dark spots. It helps lighten dark patches on the skin by gently exfoliating dead skin cells and reducing melanin production.
To see the best results, you need to apply this cream consistently, usually once or twice daily as recommended by your healthcare provider. Since this is a topical product, it is applied directly to your skin and does not need to be taken with food. Protecting your skin from the sun by wearing sunscreen daily and protective clothing is essential to help the cream work effectively.
While using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid, you may experience mild skin irritation, redness, or a slight burning sensation. These side effects are common and usually go away as your skin adjusts, but you should consult your doctor immediately if you experience severe blistering, swelling, or intense burning.
Talk to your doctor before starting this product if you have extremely sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, or active skin infections. Do not use this cream if you have a known allergy to any of its active components.
Let your doctor know if you are using other peeling agents, topical retinoids, or harsh skin cleansers, as these can increase irritation. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your healthcare provider before using this cream.
Uses of Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid
Medicinal Benefits
Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid helps improve the appearance of skin discolouration by reducing excess pigmentation and promoting healthy skin renewal. Its multi-action formula helps fade dark spots, smooth skin texture, and restore a brighter, more even complexion. Key benefits include:
- Helps Fade Dark Spots: This medication targets excess skin pigmentation, helping lighten dark patches and promote a more even skin tone with regular use.
- Improves Skin Texture: By encouraging the removal of dead skin cells, this medication helps smooth rough skin, leaving it feeling softer and healthier.
- Promotes a Brighter Complexion: This medication supports skin cell renewal while reducing the appearance of discolouration, helping restore a clearer, more radiant-looking complexion.
- Provides Non-Invasive Skin Care: This topical treatment offers an effective, non-surgical option for managing moderate skin discolouration from the comfort of your home.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Take a small amount of Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid on the fingertip and apply it as a thin layer on the clean and dry affected area as advised by your doctor.
- Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid is only for external use.
- Do not apply Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid to the broken skin or wounds.
Storage
Side Effects of Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Mild skin redness or warmth
- Dryness or slight skin peeling
- Temporary burning or stinging sensation
- Mild itching at the application site
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe redness, swelling, or blistering
- Intense, burning pain that does not go away
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as a skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, and severe dizziness
Drug Warnings
- Perform a patch test before first use: Apply a small amount to the inside of your arm and wait 24 hours to check for any signs of an allergic reaction.
- Avoid contact with sensitive areas: Do not get the cream in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken or irritated skin. If accidental contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with plenty of water.
- Use consistently and be patient: It may take several weeks of regular use before you notice a visible improvement in your skin tone.
- Avoid harsh skincare treatments: Do not use abrasive scrubs, waxing, or chemical peels on treated areas during treatment, as your skin may become more sensitive.
Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor about all the medicines and skin products you are using before applying this, as they may interact with Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid and affect your treatment.
- Other Topical Peeling Agents or Retinoids (such as salicylic acid, sulfur, or tretinoin): Using these products with Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid may increase the risk of excessive skin dryness, peeling, and irritation.
- Medicated Soaps or Abrasive Cleansers: Avoid using these products on the treated area, as they can dry out the skin and worsen irritation.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of alcohol with Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedIf you are pregnant or planning to conceive, please consult a doctor before using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere are limited studies on how Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid affects the breastfed infants. Please consult your doctor before using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedGlycolic Acid+kojic Acid is generally safe to use before and does not interfere with your driving ability.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Children
safe if prescribedYour doctor will prescribe Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid to children if he/she outweighs the benefits over risks.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Wear sunscreen daily: UV rays trigger melanin production, which can reverse the benefits of this cream. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every morning, even on cloudy days.
- Avoid midday sun: Limit your time in direct sunlight, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM when UV rays are strongest. Use wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses for extra protection.
- Keep your skin hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day and apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser to prevent dryness and peeling.
- Do not pick at your skin: Avoid scratching, picking, or squeezing acne and dark spots, as this can trigger inflammation and worsen hyperpigmentation.
Special Advise
Avoid using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid for more than 6-8 weeks without a doctor’s advice.
Please consult a dermatologist if the skin condition does not improve after 2-3 months of treatment with Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Do not take Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid by mouth. Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid is for use only on the skin (topical use). Accidently if Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid gets in your eyes or mouth, immediately rinse with cold water.
Do not take Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid if you allergic sulfa containing medicines and have asthma. It is better to contact a doctor in these conditions and take Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Melasma: It is also known as chloasma, a common skin condition that causes brown patches on the face. The discoloured (grey-brown) patches occur mostly on the forehead, chin, nose, and cheeks. Melasma may be caused due to sun exposure, hormone therapy, pregnancy, birth control pills, thyroid, or even stress. It is more common in women than in men. It may occur in pregnant women, due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and is called a ‘mask of pregnancy’ and fades away after pregnancy on its own or after stopping usage of contraceptive pills. It can be treated by using skin lightening creams, topical steroids, dermabrasion, or chemical peels.
Acne vulgaris (acne): It is a skin condition caused when the hair follicles are plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, cysts, and nodules are all types of acne. It commonly occurs in teenagers though all age groups are affected.
Hyperpigmentation: It is a skin condition in which patches of skin become darker in colour than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening of skin occurs when an excess of melanin (hormone), the brown pigment that produces normal skin colour, forms deposits in the skin.
FAQs
Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid is used to treat melasma (dark brown patches on the skin).
Melasma is a skin issue that causes discoloured dark brown patches on the skin. These patches are usually dark than normal skin tone and occur on the forehead, cheeks, chin and bridge of the nose.
PABA is also called vitamin B10, is an organic compound that protects the skin from harmful sun rays. PABA even works well in sweating but does not work when the skin is submerged in water - during swimming.
You are advised to use moisturizer in the morning every day to restore the fat barrier of the skin that protects the skin from damage. Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid may make the skin more sensitive to extreme weather conditions such as cold and wind. Therefore, wear protective clothing and use moisturizer as required. However, please consult a doctor before using moisturizing lotions or any other products with Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid is not used to treat diaper rash as using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid under child’s nappy enables Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid to pass through the skin easily and cause adverse effects. However, please consult a doctor before using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid in children.
Hormonal contraceptives like oral/vaginal birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches and vaginal rings can cause melasma to get worse. So, it is advisable to ask your doctor about using non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) instead.
You are not recommended to use Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid with benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, or any other peroxide products as it may cause staining of the skin which can be usually removed with soap and water. However, please consult a doctor before using other medicines with Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Most people begin to see a visible reduction in dark spots and uneven skin tone after 4 to 8 weeks of consistent, daily use. However, individual results can vary depending on the severity of your pigmentation. Talk to your doctor if you do not see improvements after a few months.
Yes, you can use it during the day if advised by your doctor, but you must apply a high-SPF sunscreen immediately afterwards. The exfoliating ingredients make your skin more vulnerable to sunburn and UV damage. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about sun exposure.
The safety of this combination during pregnancy is not fully established. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss safer alternatives.
Mild peeling is a common side effect as the product exfoliates the skin. You can manage this by applying a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser. If the peeling becomes severe, painful, or red, stop using the product and talk to your doctor.
Yes, you can apply makeup over Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid. Allow the cream to absorb completely into your skin first, then apply your sunscreen, followed by your makeup. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any skin irritation from combining products.
Yes, Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid can be used on all skin tones to treat hyperpigmentation. However, because skin irritation can sometimes trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones, you should start slowly and talk to your doctor if you experience irritation.
You should apply Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid only to the affected areas with dark spots or uneven tone, rather than the entire face, unless your doctor has specifically instructed you otherwise.
Combining multiple active skincare ingredients can sometimes cause irritation. It is best to use them at different times of the day (for example, Vitamin C in the morning and Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid at night). Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for a personalised skincare schedule.
