Licorice Extract in Skin Care

Licorice root extract is used in many skin care products for the face like moisturizers, anti-aging creams, and sunscreens.

It is a common natural ingredient found across the world and throughout history for its versatility in medicine, food, and cosmetics.

Licorice extract in skin care has many appreciable benefits and only a few potential side effects. It is great for controlling acne breakouts, moisturizing skin, and eliminating free radicals!

Find out if licorice extract is right for your Baumann Skin Type by taking the quiz for free below!

What is licorice extract?

Licorice extract (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is an oil pressed from the roots of a licorice plant.

It was used for medical and dietary purposes by ancient civilizations like the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, the ancient Chinese Han Dynasty (300-200B.C.E) (2).

Today, licorice remains one of the most frequently used herbs in eastern holistic supplements and remedies.

Licorice root extract is an ancient, versatile, and popular ingredient in modern western skin care products as well.

Several species of licorice are used for their extracts in skin care today.

Closely related to common licorice root is (Glycyrrhiza inflata), the Chinese licorice root. they share pharmaceutical and dietary uses even though they are not the exact same species (3).

Glycyrrhiza echinata

What are the benefits of licorice root extract?

Licorice root extract has a variety of appreciable benefits used in skin care and in other kinds of products.

It is commonly used in moisturizers for its high concentration of beneficial moisturizing fatty acids.

Licorice root is anti-microbial, meaning it eliminates bacteria and can be used to extend shelf lives of skin care or food products.

Anti-microbials like LRE are also extremely useful in acne products.

It is also estrogenic, meaning it can be used in some hormone supplements to regulate various reproductive processes. (5)

There are active antioxidants in LRE as well, meaning it is good for conditions like sun damage and other forms of hyperpigmentation. (1)

It is a tyrosinase inhibitor, which means it slows melanin production and treats dark spots.

The anti-inflammatories in LRE are great for soothing inflammation, irritation, or mild allergic reactions on the skin. (5)

Is licorice root extract used in skin care?

Licorice root extract is a versatile compound that is very common and useful in skin care products.

Licorice root extract is used in a variety of skin care products like:

anti-aging serums

facial peels

moisturizers

skin lighteners

sunscreens

Take the questionnaire to shop by your skin type for the best licorice oils for you! Additionally, you can find some of my favorite licorice root extract products here:

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is licorice root safe for use in skin care?

Safety

Licorice root extract is safe for use as long as you are not pregnant while using it. Glabridin, a compoent in licorice extract, has shown potential teratogenic effects in some studies, meaning it could cause developmental abnormalities in a fetus. This makes it a concern for use during pregnancy.

The EWG score for licorice root is “5” which is on the “Not safe” end of the 5 point scale. However, the only advisement is to avoid use during pregnancy. (There are forms of glabridin free licorice extract that can be used in pregnancy- but they are not as effective as a tyrosinase inhibitor)

An allergy to LRE is possible, but very rare.

At any other point, licorice root extract is completely safe for use and is often recommended in many skin care products.

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Using licorice extract while pregnant

One study conducted in Finland showed that babies who were exposed to high amounts of ingested licorice in utero experienced a few developmental differences from a control group (17).

The children with high exposure to licorice grew to be taller, heavier, and started puberty sooner than the control.

It also appeared that the same group exposed to licorice exhibited worse memory and a higher tendency for mild learning disability (17).

To avoid any chance of developmental abnormalities, it is advised to avoid licorice root while pregnant, including in body care.

what is licorice oil made of

What are the active compounds in licorice root extract?

Many different compounds make up this versatile and beneficial extract.

Licorice root extract contains a high concentration of flavonoids like glabridins, which give the extract a yellow hue.(4)

Anywhere between 4-25% of the extract is made of glycyrrhizinic (Gli-syr-i-zi-nic) acid, depending on how the extract was refined.

Other active compounds in LRE are(4):

Abscisic acid

Benzoic acid

Beta-sitosterol

Glycyrrhetinic acid

Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide

Isoliquiritigenin

Liquiritigenin

Liquiritin

Salicylic acid

This diverse composition gives licorice extract an important place in many skin care products such as:

licorice root for hyperpigmentation

Licorice extract for skin lightening

Licorice root extract is a tyrosinase inhibitor, which means it stops your skin from producing melanin (the pigment that darkens skin color).

LRE is great for use in skin lightening products, and works more effectively alongside PAR-2 blockers like Niacinamide or other tyrosinase inhibitors like hexylresorcinol.

There are a number of effective hyperpigmentation regimens that could make great use of LRE, but it can take between 8-16 weeks to see results just like any healthy skin lightener.

Antioxidants in LRE also treat sun damage and help prevent skin cancer by eliminating free radical ions on and just beneath the skin.

Licorice extract for melasma

Melasma is a skin pigment disorder which is most commonly treated with tyrosinase inhibitors like licorice root extract.

Melasma is common during pregnancy, but LRE is not advised for use while pregnant.

Check out this article all about treating melasma during pregnancy to find alternatives for LRE.

To make sure LRE is right for your custom skin care regimen, take the Baumann Skin Type questionnaire to shop by your skin type!

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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