What is Liquorice Root in Skincare?
The root of the liquorice plant has been used for medicinal purposes and confectionary for years, but it's also the source of a skincare game-changer.
Liquorice root extract is used in skincare as a skin brightener.
When applied topically, liquorice can do everything from being an antioxidant or anti-inflammatory to helping fade dark spots.
Its action on pigmentation disorders is due to the inhibition of the production of an enzyme [tyrosinase] essential to the production of melanin.
It also contains liquiritin, a compound that can help with the dispersion and removal of excess melanin in the skin.
In other words, not only can it help prevent the formation of new spots, it assists in the fading of existing ones as well.
As we all know, when it comes to fading spots, hydroquinone is the gold standard ingredient however there are numerous drawbacks to the use of this product including but not limited to general irritation.
Liquorice root provides many of the same benefits with a lower chance of that irritation.
With that in mind, however, this ingredient should not be used in conjunction with hydroquinone or retinol.
Like most plant-based extracts, liquorice contains a flavonoid, an antioxidant-rich component that decreases reactive oxygen species, which both age and discolour the skin.
The generation of reactive oxygen species by UV radiation is one of the mechanisms through which UV light/ sun damage can be detrimental to skin health.
Theoretically, liquorice root can help reverse some of the damage that the sun has done to the skin or potentially prevent further damage from occurring.
While the flavonoid is anti-inflammatory in and of itself, there's yet another molecule, licochalcone A, which inhibits two inflammatory markers that trigger the inflammatory cascade.
Liquorice root is ideal for anyone looking to reap the spot-fading, skin tone evening benefits the ingredient has to offer as well as cashing in on those soothing benefits.
It also serves as a wonderful alternative for those who cannot use hydroquinone either due to sensitivities, allergy or pregnancy.
Get into it, yuh:
Incase you want to geek out:
the JBeauty Collection | 5 Skincare benefits of licorice root extract (glycyrrhizinate)
This post was originally written for the all who wonder blog by Praise and has been shared with permission. Post links may contain commission codes which go towards fair pay for writers.