Kojic acid works as a supporting player, not a solo act. In this review of 80 clinical trials, kojic acid showed effectiveness as an *adjuvant* (add-on) treatment for melasma with minimal side effects, but stronger options like hydroquinone and triple-combination therapy remain the gold standard. If you're using kojic acid alone, manage expectations—it's better suited as part of a layered routine.

Researchers reviewed 348 studies on melasma treatments published in PubMed, narrowing down to 80 high-quality clinical trials (double-blinded, randomized, or controlled) to compare how different topical ingredients actually perform.

Funding not disclosed in abstract