Licorice Root

HOW DOES LICORICE ROOT BENEFIT YOUR SKIN?

Licorice Root helps brighten the look of dark spots and uneven tone while comforting visible signs of irritation. Its combination of tone-supporting and soothing properties makes it especially valuable in formulas designed for a clearer, calmer and more even-looking complexion.

Known for: Brightening

Also supports: Soothing

About

Licorice Root is a botanical skincare ingredient obtained from plants in the Glycyrrhiza family. Its roots contain naturally occurring compounds—including glabridin and glycyrrhizin-related components—valued for supporting visible brightness, clarity and skin comfort. In cosmetic formulas, licorice may appear as Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract or in a licorice-derived form such as Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate.

Science

Licorice Root contains flavonoids such as glabridin that help reduce the activity of tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in producing melanin. By helping limit excess pigment formation, it can gradually soften the appearance of dark spots and uneven tone. Other licorice-derived compounds help calm processes associated with visible redness and discomfort, allowing skin to appear brighter, more balanced and less reactive-looking.

History

Licorice Root has been valued for thousands of years across Asian, Middle Eastern and European traditions. As botanical and cosmetic science advanced, researchers identified specific compounds within the root that help explain its enduring use in soothing and complexion-enhancing preparations.

Origin

The licorice plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a perennial member of the legume family native across a broad region extending from the central Mediterranean through western and central Asia to Mongolia and Pakistan. The cosmetic ingredient is prepared from its roots and underground stems, where many of its characteristic compounds are concentrated.

Did You Know?

The botanical name Glycyrrhiza comes from Greek words meaning “sweet root.” Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a naturally occurring compound approximately 50 times sweeter than sugar—even though the ingredient is prized in skincare for entirely different benefits.