One of its hero ingredients Series • Liquorice root extract
One of its Hero ingredients series - Liquorice root extract in our Face Scrub
Ten reasons why liquorice is GREAT for skin
Liquorice extract: great in sweets, and even better for your skin.
Liquorice was found in King Tut’s tomb in Egypt, was used by the Japanese Geishas and is a fundamental herb in traditional Chinese medicine. Known best to us as a tasty treat or an additive for tea or tobacco, Liquorice has been used for 4,000 years and boasts a ton of health and skin care benefits.
Liquorice is derived from the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra meaning “sweet root” in Greek. The plant is a legume, much like a bean, and is native to Africa, Southern Europe and parts of Asia including India. The secret to reaping the sought-after health benefits lies within the plant’s root. Liquorice root extract is removed from the plant and melted through a boiling process that absorbs much of the water. The two important parts extracted from the root are Glycyrrhizin acid, which is 50 times sweeter than sugar and gives Liquorice it’s notable flavour, and Glabridin, which hosts a ton of medicinal purposes, like helping treat hepatitis, stomach ulcers and congestion. Together, these enzymes combine to form a super syrup or powder that’s also great for natural skin care.
Still having a hard time believing in the benefits of Liquorice? Here’s 10 reasons why you should add this super herb to your daily beauty routine:
1. Brighten Skin
If you suffer from hyperpigmentation, a condition where patches of skin become darker than the surrounding skin due to extra melanin deposits in those spots, Liquorice can restore the skin to a lighter colour when applied daily to the darkened area. Today, the leading treatment for hyperpigmentation and skin spots is a chemical called hydroquinone. Liquorice is an exciting all-natural treatment option that offers a brilliant alternative for those looking to avoid putting a chemical on their skin. If you are suffering from melasma (known as the mask of pregnancy), it’s a great natural remedy to help lighten the skin after delivery.
2. Hide Sun Damage
Dark spots and age spots caused by the sun can wreak havoc on the body by giving away your age. Applying Liquorice in topical form can help bring your skin to a smooth, lighter tone thanks to the Glabridin that stops the skin from darkening after sun exposure. And since sun damage is a primary cause of discoloration of the skin, Liquorice also contains UV blocking enzymes that help protect you from future damage.
3. Fade Dark Scars
When injuries from falls or other mishaps leave a scar on your body, it can take years before they fully match your normal skin tone. Liquorice helps to speed up the process by blocking the melanin production and evening out the skin tone of dark scars. Though, it won’t help much on light-coloured ones.
4. Treat Skin Conditions
Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema) are skin conditions that leave scaly patches all over the skin. Liquorice contains anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling and itching or burning of the skin. Studies have shown that eczema patients can either use a topical cream or drink a Liquorice tea twice a day to stave off symptoms.
5. Ease inflammation
Many things can disrupt your skin and leave behind itchy, swollen and red spots. From poison ivy to bug bites, you would use a hydrocortisone cream to calm the sting. The Glycyrrhizin found in Liquoriceis helpful in relieving redness and swelling in the exact same way that hydrocortisone helps soothe the pain.
6. Firm and tighten skin
Who doesn’t want to keep their skin feeling baby soft? Liquorice helps regenerate elastin and collagen for skin that’s smooth to the touch and stretches easily. It also contains amino acids, which have long been known to help moisturize and rehydrate the skin.
7. Treat Acne
Acne is a condition marked by red bumps that is caused by excessive oil production in the glands. Liquorice helps control oil production and will also help reduce the redness experienced by those with Rosacea, which causes a flushed face with red, patchy skin.
8. Banish Athlete's Foot
Everyone hates the itchy, sometimes painful results of having forgotten to wear your flip-flops in the hotel shower. Rubbing on a topical cream, can help eliminate the symptoms of Athlete’s foot and treat the problem.
9. Heal Wounds and Skin Infections
Liquorice has natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties and is great for wound cleaning. It also helps to keep swelling and redness to a minimum. The Liquorice works by reducing the amount of bacteria on the skin and allowing the skin to repair faster.
10. Fight Wrinkles
No one wants to have crow’s feet but sun damage can bring them on faster than you can say sunscreen. Thankfully, UV blocking enzymes help to ward off sun damage that can cause wrinkles to accelerate at an unwanted rate. Liquorice is also full of antioxidants that help block free radicals and keep your skin from aging prematurely.
Your skin is your most important organ. From the day you are born, it guards you from the impurities of the daily grind. You are constantly bombarded with UVB rays, pollution and other damaging free radicals. It’s imperative that you add as many natural beauty products to your daily routine as possible. You want to make sure you treat your skin with the upmost of care and that’s why adding natural alternatives, like liquorice root extract, is great for treating common skin ailments and helping you have a beauty routine that is 100 percent good for you.