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Soothing

Glycyrrhetinic Acid

A potent anti-inflammatory compound derived from licorice root, offering more concentrated soothing and calming benefits than whole licorice extract.

Anti-inflammatorySoothingBrightening
✓ Safe
Comedogenic Rating
0/5
Irritation Potential
0/5

What is it?

A triterpenoid compound derived from glycyrrhizin, the primary bioactive saponin found in licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), used in cosmetics for its concentrated anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Provides potent anti-inflammatory and calming effects for reactive, irritated skin, while also contributing mild tyrosinase-inhibiting activity that supports a more even skin tone.

Key Benefits

✦
Potent Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Demonstrates significant calming activity for redness and irritation, often more concentrated than whole licorice extract due to its purified, active form.
◈
Skin Barrier Support
Helps calm and support compromised or reactive skin barriers, making it useful in formulations for sensitive and irritated skin.
✧
Complementary Brightening
Contributes mild tyrosinase-inhibiting activity alongside its primary anti-inflammatory role, supporting overall skin tone evenness.

Suitable for

Sensitive skinReactive skinRosacea-prone skinAll skin types

Main Actions

✓ Anti-inflammatory✓ Soothing✓ Brightening
More Concentrated Than Whole Licorice

While whole licorice root extract offers a broad spectrum of beneficial compounds, glycyrrhetinic acid isolates and concentrates specifically the anti-inflammatory triterpenoid fraction, offering more potent calming activity in a smaller formulation footprint.

CategorySoothing Ingredients

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Glycyrrhetinic Acid do for skin?
Provides potent anti-inflammatory and calming effects for reactive, irritated skin, while also contributing mild tyrosinase-inhibiting activity that supports a more even skin tone.
Who should use Glycyrrhetinic Acid?
Glycyrrhetinic Acid is suitable for: Sensitive skin, Reactive skin, Rosacea-prone skin, All skin types.
Are there any warnings about Glycyrrhetinic Acid?
While whole licorice root extract offers a broad spectrum of beneficial compounds, glycyrrhetinic acid isolates and concentrates specifically the anti-inflammatory triterpenoid fraction, offering more potent calming activity in a smaller formulation footprint.

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