The Tamesis
Most of us know licorice for its sweet, spicy flavor in candies and drinks, or perhaps as a soothing remedy for heartburn and gastrointestinal problems. In skin care, however, licorice plays a more impressive role: Its extract is a powerful active ingredient known for evening skin tone, enhancing radiance and visibly reducing discoloration.
Licorice extract acts as a whitening agent. Best of all, if used consistently, it can even deliver near-professional-level results. Its anti-aging properties help prevent the formation of fine lines, improve overall brightness, and regulate excess melanin production (one of the leading causes of dark spots). At the same time, it supports cell renewal and accelerates the healing of minor skin injuries, making it particularly effective on stressed and blemish-prone skin. When formulated into a daily cream or serum, it provides gradual, reliable whitening results that are gentle enough for those with sensitive skin. Its brightening effects rival even hydroquinone (one of the most effective ingredients for hyperpigmentation), but with far fewer side effects and a much gentler skin condition.
What is licorice extract?
Licorice extract is extracted from the roots of licorice Licorice glabra plant. It’s rich in glycyrrhizin, a compound prized for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. This makes it especially useful for calming redness, irritation, itching, and sensitivity.
Licorice extract is suitable for all skin types, including reactive and damaged skin, helping to counteract damage associated with eczema, dermatitis and allergic reactions. It’s also rich in antioxidants, specifically glabridin, a flavonoid known for inhibiting excess melanin production.
The role of licorice extract in skin care products
- Helps fade dark spots and discoloration
- Soothes redness and irritation
- Supports skin affected by eczema or dermatitis
- Provides antioxidant protection to prevent premature aging
- Improve overall shine and tone
Licorice extract skin care benefits
Licorice extract improves pigmentation on multiple levels. Its main effect is to reduce the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for triggering the production of melanin. Helps prevent new dark spots from forming by addressing pigmentation problems at their source.
Meanwhile, licorice extract works directly on existing hyperpigmentation. Compounds like liquiritin help disperse accumulated melanin, gradually fading visible discoloration. In addition to brightening your skin, its flavonoids fight oxidative stress, calm inflammation associated with acne or skin reactivity, and help regulate sebum production, making it a multitasker for aging and blemish-prone skin.
How to use licorice extract in your daily life
For best results, licorice extract is best used in serums, where the concentration of active ingredients is usually higher. As with any whitening agent, it’s wise to use it gradually to give your skin time to adjust and minimize the risk of irritation.
As with most whitening agents, daily use of sunscreen is crucial when incorporating licorice extract into your daily routine. Keep in mind that UV exposure can exacerbate hyperpigmentation, so sun protection will help maintain results while enhancing the brightening effects of the extracts. If used consistently every day, licorice extract might just be the ingredient you didn’t know could help your skin become clearer, calmer, and more radiant.
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