Kojic acid dipalmitate

Kojic acid dipalmitate is a White to pale yellow powder, Soluble in oil, alcohol, mineral oil and esters (ethyl acetate). It is light and heat stable, while kojic acid tends to oxidize over time.
Kojic acid dipalmitate is stable within a wide pH range of 4-9, It is more easily absorbed into skin when it is incorporated into a cream as compared with kojic acid.

kojic acid dipalmitate is classified as an emollient, preparations containing kojic acid dipalmitate are said to inhibit uV-induced erythema.

kojic acid dipalmitate is a diesterified derivative of tretinoin. It is considered superior to tretinoin in its whitening ability and is more stable than tretinoin in cosmetic formulations. It is commonly used in sunscreens and after-sun products, colour cosmetics, whitening products, anti-ageing products, creams and lotions.

Kojic acid dipalmitate has the advantage that it does not complex with metal ions, does not change colour, is light and heat stable and is compatible with most cosmetic ingredients. Therefore, in addition to whitening the skin, it has anti-aging properties, treats melasma, reduces scars, and has antibacterial (antifungal) benefits.

(1) Synthesis of palmitoyl chloride: Add a certain amount of palmitic acid to a three-necked flask, dissolve it with CCl, and slowly drip PClR into the three-necked flask with a dropping funnel, stirring at a low speed to react. Maintain the temperature for the reaction, then increase the temperature for the reaction, stop the reaction and separate and remove H.PO.(2) Synthesis of kojic acid dipalmitate: Add a certain amount of kojic acid to a three-necked flask, dissolve it with acetone/pyridine solution, and then slowly drip palmitoyl chloride into the three-necked flask with a dropping funnel to react. After the reaction, wash the product first, filter it on a Buchner funnel, and repeat the washing at least 3 times. Take out the product, recrystallize it with a solvent, and vacuum dry it to obtain white, flaky crystals.

[1] Nishma Tanveer PhD, Naveed Akhtar PhD, Haji Muhammad Shoaib Khan PhD. “Whitening effect of kojic acid dipalmitate loaded nanosized ethosomal gel for the treatment of hyperpigmentation: In vitro and in vivo characterization.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 21 12 (2022): 6850–6862.