Licorice Root Benefits for Skin: What the Research Shows
Licorice root has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, but modern research is now examining what its compounds actually do — particularly when it comes to skin health. The findings are worth understanding, alongside the factors that shape how different people respond.
What Makes Licorice Root Relevant to Skin Health?
The skin-related interest in licorice root centers on a handful of bioactive compounds found in the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra and related species. The most studied include:
- Glabridin — a polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
- Licochalcone A — a flavonoid studied for its ability to regulate sebum and reduce redness
- Glycyrrhizin — the primary sweet compound, which also has anti-inflammatory activity
- Liquiritin — linked in some studies to pigmentation modulation
These compounds work through different mechanisms, which is why licorice root shows up in research across multiple skin concerns — from uneven tone to sensitivity.
What the Research Generally Shows 🌿
Hyperpigmentation and Skin Tone
The most consistent body of evidence involves hyperpigmentation — dark spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory discoloration. Glabridin and liquiritin have been studied for their ability to inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme central to melanin production in the skin.
Several clinical studies and in vitro (lab-based) trials have found that topical licorice root extracts can visibly reduce pigmentation over time. However, most studies are small, and results vary based on skin type, concentration of the extract used, and the specific pigmentation pattern being addressed. These are not definitive large-scale clinical trials, and the evidence — while promising — should be understood as emerging rather than established.
Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Licochalcone A and glycyrrhizin have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory and some clinical research. This has drawn attention in the context of sensitive skin, rosacea-like redness, and conditions where skin barrier disruption plays a role.
Research suggests these compounds may help calm certain inflammatory pathways in skin cells. How much of this translates into real-world topical benefit depends heavily on formulation — specifically, how deeply a compound penetrates the skin barrier and in what concentration it's delivered.
Antioxidant Properties
Like many plant-derived compounds, glabridin functions as an antioxidant, meaning it can neutralize free radicals that contribute to oxidative stress in skin tissue. Oxidative stress is associated with accelerated skin aging and environmental damage.
The antioxidant activity of licorice root extracts has been confirmed in multiple lab-based studies. Whether topical or oral use produces meaningful antioxidant effects in human skin at typical doses is less clear — this area remains under active investigation.
Sebum Regulation
Some research on licochalcone A specifically suggests it may help regulate sebaceous gland activity, which is relevant for oily or acne-prone skin types. Early studies show potential, but this evidence is more limited and primarily comes from smaller trials and industry-funded research, which carries its own limitations in terms of independence and generalizability.
Topical vs. Oral: Two Very Different Conversations
It's important to distinguish between topical application (creams, serums, masks) and oral supplementation with licorice root, because the research, the mechanisms, and the risk profiles are quite different.
| Form | Primary Research Context | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Topical extract | Pigmentation, inflammation, antioxidant effects on skin | Formulation quality, concentration, skin type |
| Oral supplement | Systemic effects (gut, hormones, inflammation) | Glycyrrhizin content, dosage, duration, health status |
Oral licorice root — particularly forms containing significant glycyrrhizin — has a well-documented safety concern: elevated blood pressure and potassium depletion with regular or high-dose use. This is one of the more established findings in the research and is relevant to anyone considering supplementation rather than topical use. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is a processed form that removes most glycyrrhizin, often used to reduce this risk.
Factors That Shape Individual Outcomes 🔬
Even where evidence is reasonably strong, several variables determine whether licorice root produces a meaningful skin benefit for a specific person:
- Skin type and tone — responses to pigmentation-related compounds can vary significantly across skin tones and underlying conditions
- Cause of hyperpigmentation — whether discoloration stems from sun damage, hormonal changes, or post-inflammatory sources affects how it responds to any treatment
- Formulation and concentration — extract quality and active compound concentration vary widely across products
- Oral health status — for anyone considering supplementation, cardiovascular health, blood pressure, kidney function, and hormone-sensitive conditions all factor into the risk picture
- Medications — glycyrrhizin can interact with antihypertensives, corticosteroids, and other medications; this is a general caution, not a complete list
- Duration and consistency — most topical studies that showed results measured outcomes over weeks to months of regular use
Where the Evidence Is Limited
Research on licorice root and skin is genuinely promising in some areas — particularly topical use for pigmentation and redness. But much of the evidence still comes from small trials, in vitro studies, and animal models, which don't always translate directly into human outcomes. Large, independent, well-controlled clinical trials are lacking across most claims. That gap matters.
What the research shows about licorice root's compounds is meaningful context. Whether that context applies to your skin, your health history, and your current circumstances is the part that can't be answered here.
