When you hear licorice, skincare probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind.
But licorice root has a long history as a botanical ingredient. Today, compounds found in licorice root are being studied for their potential role in pigmentation, inflammation, and oxidative stress, making licorice an interesting ingredient in modern skincare.
And that's where the story gets interesting.
More Than Just a Sweet Name
Licorice extract comes from the root of the Glycyrrhiza plant. One of its most studied compounds is glabridin, a naturally occurring isoflavonoid found in Glycyrrhiza glabra root.
Research has shown that glabridin can inhibit tyrosinase activity, an enzyme involved in melanin production. Studies have also investigated its effects on UV-induced pigmentation and inflammatory pathways.
Other compounds found in licorice root have also demonstrated tyrosinase-inhibiting activity in laboratory studies.
In simpler terms?
Licorice is an interesting botanical for skincare focused on supporting a more even-looking complexion.
Why Does Skin Become Uneven in the First Place?
Uneven-looking skin can have many stories behind it.
A breakout can leave a visible mark.
Sun exposure can contribute to pigmentation.
Inflammation can influence how pigmentation develops.
And everyday environmental stress can affect the way skin looks and feels.
That's why caring for uneven-looking skin isn't necessarily about using the strongest possible brightening ingredient.
A more considered approach is about supporting the skin while incorporating ingredients that can help improve the appearance of uneven tone over time.
The Botanical Side of Brightening
Licorice is particularly interesting because its story goes beyond pigmentation.
Research has explored glabridin for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, alongside its effects on melanogenesis.
Recent research continues to investigate how glabridin interacts with different pathways involved in melanin production and transfer. However, researchers also note that more clinical research is needed to establish its effectiveness in treating pigmentation conditions in people.
This makes licorice an interesting botanical ingredient, not a miracle solution, but one with a growing body of research behind it.
Why Licorice Extract Belongs in Hydrobloom
At Long Story, we don't look at an ingredient in isolation.
Hydrobloom brings together Centella Asiatica Extract, Avocado Extract, Licorice Extract, Jojoba Extract, Aloe Vera Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and Vitamin E.
Within the formula, Long Story positions CICA and Licorice Extract as botanicals that help soothe, calm and brighten stressed skin. The brand also describes Licorice Root Extract as helping brighten the appearance of post-acne marks.
Licorice therefore becomes one part of a larger formulation story.
The idea isn't to rely on a single ingredient to do everything.
It's about bringing together different ingredients that each have a purpose, creating a formula designed to hydrate, soothe and support the skin.
From Root to Routine
There's something fitting about using a botanical like licorice in modern skincare.
It starts with something remarkably simple: a plant root.
From there comes extraction, formulation and careful ingredient pairing. Eventually, it becomes something that sits on your bathroom shelf as part of a routine you probably don't think twice about.
That's the fascinating part of skincare.
An ingredient can have a long story behind it, while its role in your routine can be wonderfully simple.
Apply.
Massage.
Move on with your day.
The Essence of Licorice
Licorice extract isn't a miracle ingredient, and it doesn't need to be.
Its value lies in what it can contribute to a thoughtfully formulated routine: supporting a more even-looking complexion while working alongside other ingredients designed to hydrate and care for the skin.
Because skincare isn't really about one ingredient doing everything.
It's about knowing why each ingredient is there.
And sometimes, the quietest ingredients have the most interesting stories.