Ever wonder why Japanese women have beautiful skin? Apparently it has something to do with the rice wine or sake. No, they don’t drink it but apply it on their skin.
I accidentally came across an article describing how kojic acid found in Japanese rice wine (sake) reduces the body’s ability to form the type of melanin found in age spots and freckles. Kojic acid inhibits tyrosinase, which regulates production of melanin. It has also antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and is a very good anti-oxidant. It is used on sliced fruits to prevent browning due to oxidation.
Kojic acid was discovered in 1989. It is produced by several species of fungi, especially Aspergillus oryzae, which has the Japanese common name koji. Kojic acid is a by-product of the fermentation process for the Japanese rice wine since koji is used in the fragmentation process.
Like most Filipinas, I’m sometimes conscious of my morena skin. Our culture usually considers whiter skin as beautiful and having brown skin in this country means you’re ordinary. I’ve been using papaya soap for years and with good results. Besides, I only want my skin to be blemish free and not white or my parents would barely recognize me.
I want to try this kojic acid and see the results. I might have to say goodbye to my papaya soap and say hello to rice wine.
Image credit: http://www.sxc.hu
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
no thanks, but i’d rather have a tan complexion… ginakahisa-an sang mga puti ang aton kolor..
sabagay abyan… exotic ang dating mo sa canada.