Dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, likes this bar soap for a long list of powerful ingredients beyond kojic acid, like vitamin C, shea butter, papaya fruit extract, azelaic acid, and lactic acid. Not only will these help boost the kojic acid’s ability to brighten skin, but they also work to fade the look of stubborn marks and discoloration without, crucially, stripping the skin, he says. Dr. Yadav adds the fragrance-free soap is a great option for those with sensitive skin. As irritation is one of the biggest concerns with kojic acid soaps, I can confirm this bar never caused a reaction.

But more than anything, it just plain works. It effectively cleansed my skin and noticeably improved some dark spots I have on my arms, while smoothing discoloration on my elbows and knees after several weeks of use. The lather feels soothing and gentle, and you don’t need to use too much to scrub your entire body. I get roughly a month out of each bar, which helps offset the higher cost.

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