Licorice Root
What is licorice root?
Licorice is a flowering plant in the pea family, Glycyrrhiza glabra, native to southern Europe and western Asia. Its sweet roots have been used in traditional herbal preparations for thousands of years. In skincare, an extract of the root is used to help skin look brighter and more even.
What is in it
| Compound | What it is |
|---|---|
| Glabridin | The compound licorice extract is best known for in skincare, studied for its effect on uneven-looking tone |
| Flavonoids | Plant compounds with antioxidant activity |
| Glycyrrhizin | The compound that gives licorice its sweetness, studied for its calming activity |
Why we chose it
Dark spots and uneven tone are often treated with strong acids or harsh brightening actives that sensitive skin cannot tolerate. Licorice root offers a gentler path. It is in Bio Retinol Elixir to help skin look more even and radiant over time, without irritation.
What does the research show?
In a 1998 study published in Pigment Cell Research, glabridin from licorice reduced the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme skin uses to make pigment, in pigment-producing cells. Applied to skin in the same study, it also reduced the darkening and redness caused by UV light.
That study used purified glabridin in a laboratory setting. It explains why licorice is such a trusted ingredient for uneven tone, but it does not measure any one product.
How we use it
Licorice root extract is part of Bio Retinol Elixir, our day face oil, alongside bakuchi, rosehip, gotu kola and sea buckthorn. It contains no retinol, no water and no synthetic fragrance.
Use 6 drops each morning on clean skin, pressed in gently, then follow with SPF. Daily sunscreen is the most important step for more even-looking skin.
Frequently asked questions
Is licorice root extract the same as the sweet?
They come from the same plant, but skincare uses an extract of the root rather than anything you would eat.
Is licorice root good for sensitive skin?
Licorice root extract is generally considered gentle, which is why it is often chosen over stronger brightening actives. Patch test first, as with any new skincare.
Can I use licorice root with vitamin C?
Yes. Apply water-based serums such as vitamin C first, let them absorb, then press in Bio Retinol Elixir.
Which Sapphire Botanics product contains licorice root?
Bio Retinol Elixir, our day face oil. It is also included in the Discovery Set and Power Couple.
Sources
- Yokota T, Nishio H, Kubota Y, Mizoguchi M. The inhibitory effect of glabridin from licorice extracts on melanogenesis and inflammation. Pigment Cell Research. 1998;11(6):355-361.