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Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

superstar
Also-called-like-this: Licorice Root
What-it-does: soothing, skin brightening

Details

You might know licorice as a sweet treat from your childhood, but it's actually a legume that grows around the Mediterranean Sea, the Middle East, central and southern Russia. It's sweet and yellow and not only used for licorice all sorts but it's also a skincare superstar thanks to two magic properties:

Nr. 1 magic property is that it has skin-lightening or to say it another way depigmenting properties. The most active part is called glabridin. The topical application (meaning when you put it on your face) of 0.5% glabridin was shown to inhibit UVB caused pigmentation of guinea pigs. Another study even suggested that licorice is more effective than the gold standard skin-lightening agent hydroquinone. All in all, licorice is considered to be one of the safest skin lightening agents with the fewest side effects.

There is just one catch regarding glabridin and licorice: the amount of glabridin in commercial licorice extracts can vary a lot. We have seen extracts with only 4% glabridin as well as 40% glabridin. The latter one is a very-very expensive ingredient, so if you are after the depigmenting properties try to choose a product that boasts its high-quality licorice extract. 

Nr. 2 magic property is that licorice is a potent anti-inflammatory. Glabridin has also some soothing properties but the main active anti-inflammatory component is glycyrrhizin. It’s used to treat several skin diseases that are connected to inflammation including atopic dermatitis, rosacea or eczema. 

Oh, and one more thing: glabridin seems to be also an antioxidant, which is just one more reason to be happy about licorice root extract on an ingredient list. 

Bottom line: Licorice is a great skincare ingredient with significant depigmenting, anti-inflammatory and even some antioxidant properties. Be happy if it's on the ingredient list. :)

Show me some proof

  • Leslie Baumann, MD, Cosmetic Dermatology, 2nd edition, Licorice Extract - pages 281, 318-319
  • Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology, Volume 25 (10) - Oct 1, 2011, Natural options for the management of hyperpigmentation
  • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Volume 9 (3)–Sep 1, 2010, Original Contribution: Top 10 botanical ingredients in 2010 anti‐aging creams

Products with Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Abbott Melaglow Rich Cream Emina Double Bubble Face Wash Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule Nivea Whitening Sensitive Deodorant Roll-on OG Organix Dewy Skin Mist Sidmool Snail Brightening First Treatment Essence Wardah Lightening Gentle Wash AMA Glossage Cream AMPLE:N Centel Calming Shot Ampoule ART&FACT. Face Serum With Salycilic Acid 2% And Licorice Root Extract 3% Ashania Dark Spot Corrector Cream Dearskin Dear Serum Tranexamic Acid 5% Dearskin Tranex Dear Serum Derma Health Pharma Xelite Dermodality Skin Solutions Ageless Moisturizer Druide Pur & Pure Face + Body Lotion Earth Rhythm Cica Gel Eminance Bright Skin Overnight Correcting Cream Fitocose Moisturizing Cream For Reactive Skin Flawless Authentic Arbutin & Licorice Black Soap Glymed Plus Living Cell Clarifier Guerlain Super Aqua-Eye Patches Interpharma Spleet Whitening It's Skin It´s Skin Power 10 Formula Li Effector Serum It's Skin Power 10 Formula Li Effector It's Skin Power 10 Formula Li Effector Jovees Herbal Sun Block Sunscreen LTS Korea Triple Lightening Serum Melanil Anti-Spot Cream NIVEA MEN Extra White 10x Effect Face Moisturizer With SPF 30 Nivea Extra White Body Instant Glow Body Lotion Nokware Morning Brightness, A Daytime Facial Moisturizer Pharmahealth Fair And Pink Cream QEI Paris Lightening Serum - Efficacité Shea Butter QEI Paris Lightening Serum - Extreme Shine Carrot Rejuran Dual Effect Ampoule Rejuran Healer Turnover Ampoule Rejuran Healer Turnover Ampoule Dual Effect Rejuran Turnover Ampoule Dual Effect Royal Skin Jeju Aloe Vera 95% Soothing Gel Simply Hue Eye Got U TAC - The Ayurveda Co. 10% Vitamin C Face Serum haple Licorice Water in her element Low Ph Rose Gel Cleanser Apotheke Niacinamide 10% (30 Ml) Argento Eye Contour Cream Argento Night Cream Botany Bay's Yuvera Herbal Anti-Aging Face Cream Chinoshio Dokudami Natural Skin Lotion Consonant Vitamin C + Licorice Serum
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*INCI is a list of the standardized and internationally accepted names used in the declaration of ingredients on cosmetic and personal care products. It is published by the Personal Care Product Council.
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