Kojic acid is one of the most frequently requested ingredients in the cosmetic raw materials trade, and it is also used in food applications in certain markets. If you are sourcing kojic acid for a cosmetics brand, a contract manufacturer or a food company, the key purchasing questions are the same as for any functional raw material: which purity grade do you actually need, what documentation should come with the batch, and how does the supplier’s MOQ fit your buying pattern? This guide walks through each point.
What Is Kojic Acid?
Kojic acid (CAS 501-30-4) is an organic compound with the molecular formula C6H6O4 and a molecular weight of 142.11 g/mol. It is produced by fermentation, typically using Aspergillus species fungi, and is supplied as a white to off-white crystalline powder. It functions as a raw material in cosmetic formulations, and its permitted uses in food applications vary by market and regulation — buyers must confirm applicable compliance requirements for their destination market.
Purity Grades and Specifications
Kojic acid is supplied in different grades depending on the application, and the price difference between grades can be significant. Before ordering, confirm which grade your application requires and make sure the supplier’s specification matches it. A professional supplier’s COA should report:
- Purity — typically determined by HPLC; cosmetic and food grades are commonly supplied at 98% or higher, with the exact value stated on the COA.
- Appearance — white to off-white crystalline powder.
- Physical data — melting point range, loss on drying, and solubility characteristics where relevant.
- Heavy metals and arsenic — limits commonly required for cosmetic and food-grade raw materials.
- Batch identity — batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date and retest date.
Never accept a COA that omits analytical values or refers to a “standard certificate” without batch-specific data.
MOQ, Packaging and Pricing
Kojic acid is a commodity-grade chemical, which means pricing is volume-sensitive: bulk quantities command significantly better per-kilogram prices than small trial orders. There is no fixed industry MOQ — it depends on the grade and the supplier’s production planning. Ask directly for current MOQ and bulk pricing, and confirm standard export packaging (for example, drum sizes) and whether custom pack sizes are available for trial orders. A good supplier will quote transparently for both sample quantities and production volumes.
Applications: Where Kojic Acid Is Used
- Cosmetic formulations — kojic acid is used as a functional ingredient in creams, serums, lotions and similar skin care products. Buyers should verify the INCI name, purity grade and documentation required for cosmetic ingredient registration in their target markets. Raw material suppliers provide the ingredient and its analytical documentation; finished-product performance claims are governed by the regulations of the market where the product is sold.
- Food applications — in some markets, kojic acid is permitted in food processing applications such as color retention in certain products. Food-grade compliance and permitted-use confirmation are the buyer’s responsibility to verify per destination market.
How to Evaluate a Kojic Acid Supplier
- Request the current COA and confirm the purity method and grade.
- Compare specifications, not just prices — a low price on the wrong grade is the most expensive quote you will receive.
- Order a sample for lab verification against the COA.
- Confirm MOQ, lead time, packaging and export documentation.
- Test the supplier’s responsiveness with a technical question — fast, accurate answers indicate a supplier worth a long-term relationship.
Why Buyers Choose Qinghekang
Xi’an Qinghekang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is a China-based manufacturer and supplier of plant extracts and biotech raw materials, including cosmetic raw materials such as kojic acid, cosmetic peptides and amino acids. We are factory-direct, provide COA documentation with batch-level data on request, support sample orders and bulk shipments, and respond to inquiries within one business day.
Send Your Inquiry
Tell us the grade you need, your target specification and quantity, and we will confirm availability, MOQ and bulk pricing. Send your inquiry to https://qinghekang.com/inquiry/ — or contact us directly on WhatsApp at +86 177 8262 1121 for a quotation and COA.