Licorice the Extract for Glass Skin

Is your skin looking dull and depleted?

Or maybe you’re chasing that healthy, “lit-from-within” glow?

Everyone has their approach to achieving radiant skin, especially when aiming for a natural, brighter complexion.

One ingredient for its incredible skin benefits stands out: drum roll, please—licorice.

Yes, licorice has your back (and face!) for over-the-counter brightening and lightening.

Licorice Extract in Skincare

Licorice root (INCI: Glycyrrhiza glabra) belongs to the pea and bean family (Leguminosae).

This versatile ingredient is loved for its ability to even out skin tone, boost clarity, and add radiance —as this research demonstrates. Just hearing these benefits makes you think of healthy skin, right?

As governments clamp down on harsh bleaching agents and language around “whitening” products evolves, the line between “whitening” and “brightening” has blurred.

But let’s be clear: licorice is all about naturally enhancing your glow.

There is no bleaching here, just the best nature offers.

Benefits of Licorice 

It is your go-to for that natural glow. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and skin-healing properties work wonders when applied topically.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

• Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate mimics cortisol, providing powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Studies show that when applied as a gel, it can dramatically reduce redness and swelling.
• Glycyrrhizic acid offers anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, analgesic, and antiviral properties, making it an effective treatment for eczema and psoriasis.
• Glabridin, an isoflavone found in licorice, is highly effective as an anti-inflammatory agent at just 0.5% in a water solution.

Skin Brightening Properties

• Glabridin inhibits melanin production, making it a highly effective skin-brightening agent. It reduces pigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase.
• Liquiritin, another compound found in licorice, is particularly helpful in treating melasma, a common pigmentation issue during pregnancy.
• It is thought to be more effective than kojic acid and up to 75 times more potent than ascorbic acid in reducing pigmentation.

Antioxidant Power

Licorice contains glycyrrhiza glabra, a potent antioxidant that is as effective, if not more so, than natural vitamin E for protecting the skin from free radicals.

Regulates Oil Production

Its licochalcone content helps regulate sebum production, making it ideal for combination skin types. It also inhibits bacteria, which can reduce acne breakouts.

Moisturising

Asparagine, found in the root at concentrations of 2% to 4%, is a deeply moisturising amino acid.

Polysaccharides, also found in cucumber and aloe vera, create a light gel layer on the skin, locking in moisture.

Protection

The root’s coumarins offer antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory benefits, reducing redness and possibly even providing UV protection.

Its phytosterols help repair environmentally damaged skin, calm inflammation, and support barrier function.

To conclude. The naked truth

Licorice root extract contains various skin-loving compounds, including flavonoids, amino acids, phytosterols, coumarins, chalcones, and polysaccharides.

Its star component, glycyrrhizin, ranges from 5% to 25%, depending on the variety, and is responsible for many of its remarkable properties.

With all these fantastic benefits, rice deserves a spot in your skincare routine, whether you’re looking for skin-tightening, soothing, or acne-fighting effects.

Embrace this natural powerhouse and let your skin glow like never before.

Check out this fascinating study into licorice as a cosmeceutical ingredient for further reading.