Licorice root is the root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant. It grows about 2 feet tall, has yellow flowers, and bears seeds. The licorice plant is known for its sweet flavor and fragrance. They are used as a flavoring agent in baked goods, candies, cake frosting, and soft drinks.
Not many people know that licorice root can be taken alone as a supplement and eaten as part of a healthy diet.
Licorice root is a super-effective medicinal herb that people have been using for thousands of years. This herb is an ingredient in several Ayurvedic medicines that not only improves skin health but also supports the entire body on a cellular level. It helps treat various ailments, including digestive problems, respiratory issues, and inflammation.
Moreover, it aids in healing damaged tissue and reduces wrinkle formation, thus often used in many personal care products.
Read: How to Make Licorice Extract For Skin at Home
In this article, let’s take a deep dive into the skin benefits of licorice root. Here are some skin benefits of using licorice root:
1. Soothes and Moisturizes Skin
Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which has anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties.
The flavonoids (a type of antioxidant) and triterpenes in licorice roots moisturize skin and reduce puffiness.
The moisturizing ability of licorice helps hydrate dry patches on your face, making it look radiant again. It is beneficial for dry or mature skin as it helps maintain the moisture balance in your skin, making it an ideal ingredient for anti-aging skincare products.
Licorice root is especially beneficial for sensitive skin as it is non-irritating and anti-inflammatory.
2. Reduces Redness and Inflammation
Anti-inflammatory properties of licorice roots can help reduce redness in the skin caused by acne or sunburns, thus helping to calm irritation. Its extract can reduce redness in just one week of use!
It can also help to reduce inflammation by inhibiting histamine release from mast cells. Also, it can reduce swelling associated with breakouts or allergic reactions, such as eczema flare-ups. It makes licorice root an excellent choice for those suffering from rosacea or sensitive skin conditions, such as psoriasis.
3. Boosts Collagen Production
The ability to increase collagen production is another benefit of licorice root for the skin.
Collagen is a protein that keeps our skin elastic, plump, smooth, and young-looking. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, and our skin begins to lose its elasticity and firmness, causing wrinkles and fine lines to form on our faces.
Licorice root contains glycyrrhetinic acid and allantoin, which stimulates fibroblast cells that produce collagen in the dermis (the middle layer of skin). When taken orally or applied topically, it may help reduce wrinkles and improve elasticity.
Also, licorice root contains isoquinoline alkaloids, which are known to have antioxidant properties and are believed to prevent free radical damage that leads to premature aging.
The root stimulates collagen production by increasing the activity of an enzyme known as lysyl oxidase (LOX). This enzyme helps build connective tissue, including collagen, elastin, and keratin fibers in the dermis layer of your skin.
By using licorice root products daily, you can boost collagen production, which will keep your skin looking youthful and fresh!
Read: 7 Ways How Collagen Can Benefit Your Skin
4. Reduces Dark Spots
One of the truly remarkable benefits!
Licorice root is rich in vitamins A and C and minerals like potassium and iron. These nutrients improve skin tone and keep it hydrated, making it an excellent choice for those with dry or oily skin types.
It also brightens the complexion by reducing pigmentation, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage or acne scarring.
Since it has antioxidant properties, licorice root reduces dark spots, which protects skin against free radical damage caused by environmental toxins in our air, water, food, and even our homes! It includes pollution from cars, factories, and cigarette smoke which can contribute to sun damage on our skin over time, causing dark spots or hyperpigmentation on our skin.
This herb can help treat skin conditions, such as hyperpigmentation (dark spots), melasma, freckles, or age spots due to its anti-inflammatory properties that inhibit melanin synthesis. The best part is that this herb is safe and does not have any side effects like other products on the market containing hydroquinone or other harsh chemicals.
5. Heals Scars
Yes, licorice roots can heal scars when applied topically to open wounds.
The healing properties of licorice root are due to its high levels of glycosides, which help reduce inflammation during wound healing. Antioxidants in it can help protect the skin from sun damage and pollution while promoting new cell growth in damaged tissue.
As stated above, the herb stimulates collagen production, which helps strengthen the skin and prevent scarring at wound sites. It also reduces inflammation associated with scarring on the body. This is an extraordinary skin benefit of using licorice roots.
A herbal skincare treatment that is effective with minimum side effects, licorice root may be a perfect choice. It contains beneficial vitamins and minerals that fight free radicals, soothes inflammation, and reduce redness and under-eye bags.
Conclusion
Now that you know some of the top benefits of licorice root for your skin, you may be wondering how to include it in a routine.
For best results, start by drinking licorice tea several times a week.
In addition, choose your lotions and creams which contain licorice root extracts. Also, make sure you use licorice root in your homemade face masks once or twice a week.
However, before you purchase any product, do your research. Several brands state they include licorice root in their products but it is either in small quantities or none at all. Always read the label or product description before you buy anything.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to incorporate licorice root into your beauty routine!
Give it a try next time your skin is on the mend, and you will get to know why licorice root is such a favorite among herbalists. It is refreshing, smells great, and is quite cleansing. it can make your skin healthier than ever before — and who doesn’t want that?
We hope you enjoyed reading the blog. For more such useful information, keep visiting our space.
