Ingredient Encyclopedia

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Discover what’s inside your skincare — from retinol to aloe vera — with clear guides on benefits, uses, and safety.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Licorice Root Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Licorice Root Extract (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a time-tested botanical powerhouse that has earned its place in modern "calm-brightening" routines.1 Unlike acids that resurface the skin through friction or peeling, Licorice Root utilizes bioactive compounds like Glabridin (2$C_{20}H_{20}O_{4}$) and Liquiritin to inhibit tyrosinase activity at the source.3 It is particularly valued for its dual-action personality: it simultaneously interrupts the pigment-production pathway while providing significant anti-inflammatory benefits.4 This makes it a "precision tool" for fading post-blemish marks and evening out tone in sensitive or reactive skin types that cannot tolerate aggressive chemical exfoliants.5