Moderate evidence

Licorice Root for Melasma

A gentle Asian-skincare brightener derived from licorice root. Fades dark spots and calms redness, and it's a pregnancy-safe alternative to stronger fade ingredients.

Why it works for Melasma

Fades patches by slowing pigment production and calming sun-driven inflammation. The effect is modest but real. It is a useful add-on in pregnancy-safe routines where stronger fade ingredients are off the table.

How Licorice Root works

Contains glabridin and liquiritin; inhibits tyrosinase and quenches inflammatory cytokines without affecting cell viability.

Evidence

4 citations from our ingredient database. Full citation list on the Licorice Root ingredient page.

journal2026

Glabridin Inhibits Melanogenesis and Melanin Transfer via Wnt/beta-Catenin Pathway and Rho Family GTPase-Mediated Dendritic Formation Suppression, Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2026;19(3) — glabridin (the licorice-root active) suppressed melanin synthesis and keratinocyte melanin transfer in vitro via Wnt/beta-Catenin and Rho-GTPase dendrite suppression

journal2025

Liu Y et al., Glycyrrhiza glabra extract as a skin-whitening agent: Identification of active components and CRTC1/MITF pathway-inhibition mechanism, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2025;349:119948 — identifies glabridin as the principal active and maps skin-whitening mechanism via CREB/CRTC1/MITF suppression

journal2020

Wang JY et al., Preparation of compound liquorice microemulsion gel and its pharmacodynamics evaluation, Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi (China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica) 2020;45(21):5193-5199 — compound licorice (Glycyrrhiza) microemulsion gel significantly reduced ear swelling and inflammatory infiltration in chronic eczema mouse model

review2019

Kowalska A, Kalinowska-Lis U (Poland), 18-beta-Glycyrrhetinic acid: its core biological properties and dermatological applications, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2019;41(4):325-331 — licorice-derived 18-beta-glycyrrhetinic acid offers anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial benefits for inflamed and photoaged skin

Products with Licorice Root in our catalog

These are the catalog products that list Licorice Root as a tracked ingredient.

Paula's Choice

10% Niacinamide Booster

$49 · Serum

SkinCeuticals

Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier

$110 · Serum

Paula's Choice

1% Retinol Booster

$60 · Treatment

Paula's Choice

Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

$67 · Treatment

Sunday Riley

Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment

$122 · Treatment

numbuzin

No.1 Pure-Full Calming Herb Toner

$22 · Toner

Full Licorice Root guide →Melasma overview →