Most will know licorice as the pungent candy they loved (or hated) when they were kids. All over the world, it is also used as a sweetener and medicinal treatment. In its original form it is a fuzzy, leafy plant with a large root system; in its dried and trimmed form, it looks like little more than a simple stick.
Here, licorice is relished for its brightening and soothing benefits for dull, lackluster skin. You may have seen licorice root extract on a few of our ingredient lists. While you may enjoy the tangy, herbal taste of this confectionary delight, the benefits of licorice root go way beyond taste!
Health Benefits of Licorice
This simple stick has a host of health benefits hiding in its unassuming presentation. Egypt has been found to implement the root of herbal remedies and medicinal uses in ancient times. Even today, emerging research suggests that licorice root can soothe inside and out.
The active compound in the root not only gives licorice powder its flavor, but also provides the health benefits of antioxidants, as well as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Topically, as licorice powder is antimicrobial, it is a useful and powerful component for anti-acne skin care. It can be used to treat inflammatory conditions like eczema.
Licorice powder also has a healing effect on the body. Studies have shown a significant impact when treating internal inflammation, with conditions such as ulcers, acid reflux, and heartburn. It is also a useful treatment for healing the throat after a cold or viral infection. It has even shown promise with respiratory aid for conditions like bronchitis and asthma.
The root is often included in candies and mints, as it is useful for freshening breath and fighting cavities. Although with excessive internal use there are potential side effects with this root, overall the benefits of this root certainly surprised us.
5 Key Benefits of Licorice Root for Skin
Licorice has a number of active ingredients and properties that give your skin some serious love, especially when it comes to protecting and brightening. Here are some of the reasons why licorice root benefits your skin:
#1: Helps with hyperpigmentation
Improving hyperpigmentation is one of the best-known attributes of this herb. Hyperpigmentation occurs when your skin produces more melanin in certain areas or spots than in others, causing the skin to appear uneven and darker.
This often happens because of exposure to free radicals: free radicals can damage melanin-producing skin cells and cause them to produce excess pigment. Licorice root combats this process by preventing the production of melanin and free radicals. This is partly why gentle and effective makeup removers contain licorice root extract to help even out blemishes.
#2: Door glycyrrhizina powerful antioxidant
Licorice is effective in treating atopic dermatitis, rosacea and psoriasis – and you can thank glycyrrhizin (glys-err-eye-zin) for that! This is the acid responsible for the sweet taste of licorice. The official name of the licorice plant is Glycyrrhize glabra root, which is what you’ll find as a key ingredient in our brightening serum.
Glycyrrhizin is anti-inflammatory, which means less redness and irritation for inflamed and irritated skin. As an antioxidant, it protects our skin against free radicals. Some of the most obvious signs of free radical damage appear on our skin, and sun damage is one of the most common stressors in everyday life. That’s why it’s so important to protect yourself from UV rays with clean, cruelty-free sunscreen!
#3: Contains glabridina great anti-UV ingredient
Glabridin (glab-rye-din) is one of the most active ingredients in licorice root extract. This substance helps reduce dark spots caused by scars or sun damage. It also prevents pigmentation from UVB rays by tyrosinase inhibitionan enzyme that causes dark pigment after sun exposure.
#4: Pregnancy Safe Retinol Alternative
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, mothers have a long list of things to avoid. Unfortunately, this usually includes some of the most potent and transformative aspects of our skincare routines, such as retinol and hydroquinone. As mentioned, licorice root has powerful brightening and toning properties. This makes it a great way to continue treating the skin during and after pregnancy.
*Some research suggests that pregnant women should avoid ingesting licorice root extract during pregnancy, but most research indicates that it is safe for the skin. If you want to use licorice as an alternative to retinol but are still concerned about the potential risks, discuss its topical use with your primary care physician.
#5: Protect the skin with Licochalcone A
This defensive benefit of licorice root comes to us from another active ingredient, Licochalcone A (lick-uh-chal-cone). It helps your skin produce higher levels of antioxidants, strengthening your skin’s defenses and preventing UV damage. Not to mention that it can protect the skin from damage even after unprotected exposure to UV rays.
Nourish skin with licorice root extract
In addition to lightening hyperpigmented skin, you can also use the benefits of licorice to boost dull skin, too! Try our Dark Spot Remover, Brightening Serum or Does It All Sheet Mask for a more radiant and even complexion. You can easily incorporate any or all of these products into your regular skin routine.
If you’re looking for a triple dose of licorice in a regimen focused on brightening and even skin tone, try our fermented rice water products. In each product, sake (fermented rice) illuminates and hydrates while complementing the long list of licorice root benefits. You can use our Fermented Rice Cleanser, Toner and Serum – or just choose what you’d like to try!
PRO TIP:To effectively tame extra pigment, be consistent in your use of lightening products. Prolonged use of skin-friendly lighteners like licorice will result in a noticeably brighter and more radiant complexion.
If you are concerned about sun damage, use serums containing vitamin C and licorice root to not only even out your skin, but also to prevent further UV damage. Both ingredients fade discoloration and contain antioxidant power that we know wards off sun damage. To protect your skin, remember to apply sunscreen afterwards!
Topical gels containing licorice root extract can do a great job at soothes irritated skin. Licorice is extremely beneficial for people with atopic dermatitis or general skin conditions involving redness and irritation (like acne and eczema). You can even try a DIY mask with aloe vera gel and licorice root powder.
Anti-Aging Benefits are another place where licorice root can boast of its protective properties. The extract fights against oxidative stress, known to accelerate the visible signs of aging. It encourages your skin to protect itself against harmful elements and, in turn, will reward you with fresher, more supple skin for longer.
Top Products with Licorice Root
From drier temperatures outside to humid and windy elements, we all struggle with dull skin at one point or another. When dullness sets in, it can leave us with a dull, unhappy complexion. Along with its anti-aging and sun-damage-correcting superpowers, licorice root is a star for boosting dull complexion and soothing irritated skin.
We followed this train of thought to create skincare featuring licorice root along with other star ingredients like caffeine to transform tired, unhealthy skin into a glowing, beautiful complexion. Check out some of our fan favorites:
We created this gentle yet powerful duo to provide a safe and natural alternative to retinol. Our Bakuchiol Rejuvenating Cleanser is a gentle yet powerful cleanser that draws out impurities to stimulate cell turnover for a smoother complexion. Infused with licorice root, this dreamy cleanser brightens age spots and sun spots for a more even skin tone and visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Our antioxidant-rich Bakuchiol moisturizer packs a gentle yet powerful punch to soften and hydrate skin. Formulated with deeply hydrating hyaluronic acid and squalane, plus licorice root, this powerful botanical boosts cell turnover, boosts collagen production, brightens age spots and sun spots while diminishing the appearance of blemishes. wrinkles and fine lines.
If you’re looking for an AM skincare dream team, go for a caffeine boost for daytime use. We love our new Coffee Bean Face Cream, which has been formulated to be gentle, deeply hydrating and rejuvenating to counteract environmental damage and achieve anti-aging skin. Enriched with green coffee extract to boost skin blood circulation and brighten licorice root, this cream transforms the face for supple skin and a healthy, vibrant glow.
The entire face gets a coffee dream with this restorative, brightening, firming and protective coffee bean face serum. Offering the same benefits for your skin but better than our new coffee bean moisturizer, this superstar serum has been formulated to reverse sun damage, and brighten and firm your skin with licorice root for a healthy glow immediate. Fueled with a trifecta of caffeinated skin benefits with Green Coffee Extract, Caffeine, and Green Tea EGCG, this serum boosts skin circulation and transforms complexion for a healthy, glowing glow!
Whether you’re battling freckles and sun spots, acne scars, or just want the skin to look a little brighter, we’re sure licorice is a winner. If you’re looking for a natural alternative to chemical lighteners or a gentle ingredient for inflamed skin, you can’t beat the awesome benefits of licorice!
