Known scientifically as Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice root is a potent botanical that has been revered for centuries. Diving into age-old traditions and historical uses for botanical ingredients is our greatest inspiration for sourcing cutting-edge ingredients that deliver glowing skin results, Licorice root immediately caught our attention. When integrated into your skincare routine, it brings you a spectrum of brightening and soothing benefits.
What Is the History of Licorice Root?
Licorice root, known scientifically as Glycyrrhiza glabra, has an enchanting past that stretches across continents and centuries. Its journey starts in Asia and Europe, where its use was not just limited to a culinary context but was woven into the fabric of traditional medicine and local skincare rituals. Think of it as an heirloom that generations have passed down, deeply ingrained in cultures that realized its unparalleled worth.
The plant itself is a perennial herb, part of the legume family, which further explains its diversified uses. In skincare, it has been used traditionally as a topical application for various skin conditions, from maintaining hydration to supporting an even skin tone.
This reputation places it as a precious botanical in both folklore and scientific research. Its role as an active ingredient dates back to ancient civilizations, cementing its place in the historical archives of skincare.
Glycyrrhiza glabra serves as an enduring connection between the old and the new, between ancestral practices and contemporary formulations, making it an ever-relevant player in skincare's evolving narrative.
What Makes Licorice Root Effective for Skincare?
Let's dive a level deeper into the mesmerizing world of licorice root components. First up are glycyrrhizin and glabridin — two key active compounds that contribute significantly to the root's wide range of skin-supporting properties.
Glycyrrhizin stands out for its ability to soothe and calm the skin. This component can be particularly beneficial when you're looking to alleviate discomfort or reduce the appearance of irritation, making it a popular addition to formulations geared toward sensitive skin or skin that requires extra gentle care.
Glabridin, on the other hand, works to brighten your skincare stage, targeting the appearance of dark spots and helping to even out the look of your skin tone. With the strategic inclusion of this compound, skincare products with licorice root extract can aid in creating a visibly brighter and more radiant-looking complexion.
Yet, glycyrrhizin and glabridin are merely the stars in a sky full of active compounds in licorice root. Let's not forget about other significant elements like licochalcone A, which adds another layer of soothing benefits, or the flavonoids that join forces with other antioxidants to defend skin cell health during exposure to environmental stressors.
One of the best (if you ask us) features of these active compounds is their compatibility. They work synergistically when blended into skincare products, essentially multiplying the benefits each can offer. In other words, with a single application of a product containing licorice root extract, you're reaping a world of benefits beyond brightening or soothing.
Does Your Skin Type Matter?
Absolutely — but the beauty of licorice root is its unparalleled versatility, offering something for everyone. This botanical wonder is not just a one-hit wonder; it plays well with a multitude of skincare products, including cleansers, toners, and moisturizers.
It's this adaptability that makes licorice root a staple in formulations designed to combat everything from dryness to oil production. Whether you're navigating the world of atopic dermatitis or are simply on a quest for better hydration, licorice root promises a world of benefits for various skin types. Regardless of your unique skin condition, this skincare ingredient is bound to resonate with you.
How Does Licorice Root Support Brighter Skin?
One of the best benefits of licorice root is its skin-brightening properties, allowing it to address discoloration due to sun exposure or other factors without the potentially damaging effects of synthetic ingredients like hydroquinone.
Apart from tackling the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation issues, the ingredient works with other active compounds like niacinamide and vitamin C. In a world where sun damage is a frequent concern, the root's brightening properties become increasingly relevant. With regular use, you can expect a significant transformation not just in your skin tone but also in your skin's overall quality and texture. Licorice root turns your skincare routine from a mundane task into an invigorating journey toward luminescent beauty.
Licorice Root and Antioxidants
Beyond its brightening prowess, licorice root is also an antioxidant powerhouse that provides an extra layer of defense. It joins forces with other antioxidants like green tea and hyaluronic acid, creating an all-star skincare team.
This synergy doesn't just brighten and protect; it lays the groundwork for healthier skin in the long run by supporting overall skin cell health during exposure to stressors like free radicals and UV rays. Incorporating licorice root and its antioxidant allies into your regimen is like building a fort around your skin cells, helping them remain vibrant and resilient.
How Does Licorice Root Benefit Irritated Skin?
Licorice root isn't just an emergency salve for occasional irritation, but a long-term best friend for maintaining your skin health as a whole. Whether you’re dealing with mild redness or skin discomfort, the soothing, supportive properties of licorice root can offer an oasis of calm.
In combination with its hydrating attributes, it becomes a comprehensive skincare solution. As it works to soothe irritation or redness, it also deeply nourishes, offering a two-pronged skincare approach that covers immediate relief as well as ongoing comfort. This makes licorice root a reactive measure and a proactive part of a well-rounded skincare strategy.
How Can You Use Licorice Root in Your Routine?
The ingenuity of licorice root truly comes to life in diverse skincare formulations, and our favorite example is our lovingly formulated Starnectar™ Barrier Protect Marshmallow Jelly Cleanser. This extraordinary cleanser masterfully blends the skin-supporting properties of licorice root with the hydrating prowess of marshmallow root and the antioxidant benefits of orange peel.
Imagine cleansing your face and instantly feeling the uplifting vibration of calming Moonstone, leaving your skin thoroughly refreshed, deeply moisturized, and glowing. It's a complete experience that respects the skin's natural balance, making it perfect for all skin types, including sensitive ones.
The cleanser works meticulously to dissolve stubborn makeup and SPF, all without stripping your skin of its vital oils. It's an alchemy of thoughtful ingredients designed for your skin, mind, and spirit. Beyond its cleansing capacity, the formula aims to keep your skin's moisture barrier intact, offering a plump and dewy complexion that feels as good as it looks.
To work this cleanser into your personal ritual, scoop the product with our Reflexology Spoon and place it in your palms with a touch of water. Apply it dry to your face with a gentle massage, and then add some water to your palm and massage again to create a milky, cleansing texture. Remove when you’re finished with a damp, warm washcloth.
After cleansing, finish off your routine with our Moonbounce™ 2% Bio Retinol Irish Sea Moss Plumping Moisturizer and your daily SPF for radiant, balanced skin.
The Root of Flawless Skin
Licorice root proves itself as a cornerstone in the world of skincare, with its power to support brighter and more radiant skin, while also soothing irritated or sensitive skin. The licorice plant provides us with a wide range of benefits and is one of those natural alternatives to chemicals and additives that we can’t get enough of. And since we source our ingredients sustainably, it’s also a skincare ingredient you can truly trust.
As you make it a part of your skincare regimen, we have no doubt that you’ll soon agree with us when it comes to the invaluable nature of this ancient botanical ingredient.
Sources:
Licorice Root | National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
A History Of The Therapeutic Use Of Liquorice In Europe | National Library of Medicine
