Licorice Extract In Beauty Products

It may not be your favourite candy but it should be one of your favourite skincare ingredients.

Here’s why you’ll want licorice extract in beauty products!

What Is It?

Liсоriсе iѕ a leafy grееn рlаnt with small purple/раlе bluе flоwеrѕ. It’s the root of the flower that you’ll find in cosmetics.

Look out for licorice by its Latin name “Glycyrrhiza glabra” on cosmetic ingredient lists.

What Does Licorice Do In A Cosmetic?

Licorice is an excellent skin brightening ingredient because it contains a compound called “glabridin”. This has properties similar to natural oestrogen, which helps to helps to fade hyper-pigmentation and sun damage, like dark spots. Best of all, it does this safely, by blocking the production of melanin that prevents hyper-pigmentation from forming in the first place. In addition, glabridin can assist to moisturise and keep skin smooth.

Liquirtin is the second component in licorice that helps in the treatment of melаѕmа. Melasma is a common form of skin discoloration that occurs particularly in women, and results in blotchy patches appearing on the face and body. Women who are pregnant, taking the pill or who are exposed to intense sunlight are particularly susceptible to melasma, and it can be tricky to get rid of.

In addition, licorice also provides antioxidants and mild skin smoothing properties.

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Who Should Use Licorice

Licorice is an ideal ingredient for those suffering from:

1 Melasma

2 Pigmentation

3 Red spots

What Results Will You Notice From Using It?

Cosmetics containing licorice assist to brighten the skin, and are perfect for dull complexions.

Regular use of a serum or moisturiser with licorice will help to reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and redness.

Our Favourite K-beauty Products With Licorice

Korean Beauty loves a good plant extract, especially one with brightening properties. You’ll find licorice extract in heaaaaps of different K-Beauty products, but some of the best are:

Subi Brightening Powder Cleanser - We love powder cleansers and this is one of the best ones on the market. Formulated with centella asiatica, ceramides and licorice this beautifully fine powder cleanser has a low PH balance making it ideal for all skin types. 

iUNIK Black Snail Restore Serum – iUNIK’s anti-aging serum combines the regenerative properties of black snail with licorice, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate and more.

Beauty of Joseon Snail Serum has a luxurious texture filled with moisture. It provides a soft and silky finish to skin.

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Ex - This post cleanse preparatory serum features JAUM Balancing complex, licorice extract and walnut seed extract to hydrate and balance the skin for a healthy glow. 

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