What does Licorice Root Extract do?#
Licorice root extract contains naturally derived brightening compounds that help promote a more even, luminous-looking complexion. It gently addresses the appearance of dark spots while also supporting a calmer, less irritated-looking skin tone.
- Helps promote a brighter, more even-looking complexion
- Supports a calmer appearance, helping to reduce the look of redness and irritation
- Gentle enough for daily use on all skin types, including sensitive skin
- Contains multiple naturally derived compounds that support both brightening and calming benefits
How it works
Licorice root extract contains several naturally derived compounds, each contributing something different: some help even out the look of dark spots, while others help calm the appearance of redness and irritation. Its gentle, soothing nature makes it one of the most well-tolerated brightening ingredients available, suitable for sensitive skin and daily use.
How to use Licorice Root Extract#
- Morning or evening, after cleansing and before moisturizer. Both suit it, and twice a day is fine.
- Across the face, or just on the areas you want to even out.
- Daily from the first day. There is no need to build up slowly, no settling-in period to push through, and no purge.
- Expect it to work gradually. This is a several-weeks ingredient rather than a several-days one, so the useful thing is to keep going.
- It is one of the gentlest brightening ingredients there is, which is why it suits sensitive skin and sits comfortably next to almost anything else in a routine.
- Wear sunscreen daily. Sun exposure is what drives the marks you are working on — licorice root itself does not make skin more sun-sensitive.
- If your skin is broken or actively irritated, let it settle before you start.
Discontinue use if unexpected discomfort occurs.
The form you will see it in
Licorice root brightening serum
- Where it goes
- Before moisturizer
Using Licorice Root Extract with other ingredients
Pairs well with Licorice Root Extract
Niacinamide
Works well togetherComplementary brightening support — together they help promote a more even, radiant-looking complexion from two different angles.
Tranexamic acid
Works well togetherTogether they provide multi-level brightening support for a more uniform appearance, especially for stubborn dark spots.
Vitamin C
Works well togetherVitamin C in the morning and licorice root in the evening — the pair supports a brighter, more even-looking complexion better than licorice root on its own.
What not to use with Licorice Root Extract
Nothing flagged. None of the ingredients this wiki covers needs to be kept apart from Licorice Root Extract — check the label of anything not covered here.
Who should avoid Licorice Root Extract?#
Six situations change whether Licorice Root Extract suits your skin right now. Each one is either a reason to skip it, a reason to go slowly, or nothing to watch for.
- Maternity & Nursing
- Go slowly
- Fragile or Sensitive
- Go slowly
- Recent Facial or Laser
- No caution
- Prone to Redness
- No caution
- Dry or Itchy Patches
- No caution
- Recent Shave or Wax
- No caution
Maternity & Nursing — If you are pregnant or nursing, you may prefer to check with your healthcare provider before use.
Fragile or Sensitive — Use it less often — or stop — if it feels uncomfortable, and keep it off skin that’s broken, cut or sunburned.
Cosmetic strength limits for Licorice Root Extract where you live#
| Region | Maximum strength |
|---|---|
| United States | No explicit cap |
| Canada | No explicit cap |
| European Union | No explicit cap |
| Great Britain | No explicit cap |
No cosmetic regulator in these four markets sets a maximum strength for licorice root extract. That is a limit on the rules, not a signal to use more: how much goes into a product is the formulator's decision.
Products with Licorice Root Extract#
We may earn a small commission when you buy through these links.
Licorice root brightening serum · 2
Common questions about Licorice Root Extract#
When should you apply Licorice Root Extract?
- Morning or evening, after cleansing and before moisturizer. Both suit it, and twice a day is fine.
How often can you use Licorice Root Extract?
- Daily.
Where do you apply Licorice Root Extract?
- All over the face. Keep it away from your eyes and lips.
Does Licorice Root Extract make skin more sensitive to the sun?
- No. Licorice Root Extract is not flagged as increasing sun sensitivity.
What should you not use with Licorice Root Extract?
- Nothing flagged. None of the ingredients this wiki covers needs to be kept apart from Licorice Root Extract — check the label of anything not covered here.
Who should avoid Licorice Root Extract?
- Go slowly with Maternity & Nursing and Fragile or Sensitive.
Is there a cosmetic limit for Licorice Root Extract?
- No. No cosmetic regulator in the United States, Canada, the European Union or Great Britain sets a maximum strength for it. That is a limit on the rules, not a signal to use more.
Related ingredients#
How we check this#
Everything on this page traces to the sources listed below — regulators' own publications and published studies. Where the evidence does not answer a question, it is left unanswered.
Our review is AI-assisted and is not a named expert's opinion. Last reviewed August 6, 2026.
Think something here is out of date or wrong? Email us at wiki@skinintelligence.ai with your reasoning and where you read it. We read what people send, and we update the page when the sources support it.
Regulators and official bodies · 7
- S1Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Potassium Glycyrrhetinate, Disodium Succinoyl Glycyrrhetinate, Glyceryl Glycyrrhetinate, Glycyrrhetinyl Stearate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium Glycyrrhizate, Trisodium Glycyrrhizate, Methyl Glycyrrhizate, and Potassium Glycyrrhizinate. Int J Toxicol. 2007;26(Suppl 2):79–112. PMID 17613133 · DOI 10.1080/10915810701351228.
- S2Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). European Union herbal monograph on Glycyrrhiza glabra L.; Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat.; Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., radix. Final – Revision 1. EMA/HMPC/108399/2024, adopted 04 March 2026.
- S3Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex II (prohibited substances) — retained text, legislation.gov.uk/eur/2009/1223/annex/II.
- S4Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III (restricted substances) — retained text, legislation.gov.uk/eur/2009/1223/annex/III.
- S5Health Canada. Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist: Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients (hotlist table), fetched 2026-08-04.
- S621 CFR 184.1408 — Licorice and licorice derivatives. eCFR, title 21 current as of 2026-07-31.
- S7FDA. Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients in Cosmetics.
Studies and references · 44
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