Overview

Derived from the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, this botanical extract is celebrated in skincare for its rich flavonoids, glabridin glycyrrhizin, and liquiritin. Taken together these flavonoids disperses melanin, inhibit melanin biosynthesis, and reduces cyclooxygenase activity, thereby decreasing free radical production. Additionally, Glabridin has demonstrated significant protective effects against UVB-induced pigmentation, and glycyrrhizin provides critical protection to melanocytes from oxidative damage, leveraging the Nrf2 pathway to induce HO-1, enhancing cellular defense mechanisms.

Skin benefits

Prevents and reduces hyperpigmentation Has anti-inflammatory effects Inhibits melanin production

What research has shown

Licorice contains more than 20 triterpenoids and 300 flavonoids, many of which confer health benefits among others anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects. Licorice extract improves hyperpigmentation by dispersing the melanin, inhibition of melanin biosynthesis and inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity thereby decreasing free radical production. Glabridin, a polyphenolic flavonoid is the main component of licorice extract. Studies have shown that glabridin prevents Ultraviolet B (UVB) induced pigmentation and exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting superoxide anion and cyclooxygenase activity. In vitro studies show that glabridin is among the most potent tyrosinase inhibitors in nature. Another component of licorice extract is liquiritin, which has shown strong clinical efficacy against melasma. A 2% liquiritin topical treatment is more effective than a 4% hydroquinone. Apart from dispersing melanin, liquiritin also has anti-inflammatory effects - specifically by inhibiting IL-6 and IL-8 inflammatory cytokines.

Peer reviewed science

• Planta medica (2015)
• Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists (2009)
• Journal of Functional Foods (2017)