Licorice Root (Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate)
A licorice-root-derived active used for the appearance of a calmer, more even tone, often included alongside stronger brighteners as a gentle supporting ingredient. It is a salt form of glycyrrhizin, the same compound behind licorice root’s traditional use in soothing skincare, chosen for being more water-soluble and easier to formulate at meaningful levels than the raw extract. It rarely appears as a serum’s sole active; more often it rounds out a brightening or barrier formula alongside actives like niacinamide, vitamin C or alpha arbutin.
Studied for
- ·The appearance of a more even tone
- ·The look of calmer, less-reddened skin
- ·Supporting the look of a brighter complexion alongside other actives
- ·The appearance of reduced visible redness in sensitive-prone skin
How it’s thought to work
A licorice-derived compound studied for association with the appearance of soothed skin and a more even-looking tone. It is thought to have a mild calming effect on visibly reactive skin while also supporting a brighter-looking complexion, which is why it is frequently layered underneath or alongside stronger brightening actives rather than used as a standalone treatment.
In adults with sensitive, easily irritated skin, dipotassium glycyrrhizin emollients were linked with calmer, more comfortable looking skin over 12 weeks.
Investigating the efficacy of dipotassium glycyrrhizin emollients in adult atopic dermatitis: A focused randomized parallel-controlled clinical study. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 2025.
View on PubMed (PMID 40735556) ↗Questions
- Is dipotassium glycyrrhizate the same as licorice root extract?
- It is derived from licorice root, specifically a salt form of glycyrrhizin chosen for how well it dissolves and formulates, rather than the whole raw extract.
- Can it be used with stronger brighteners like vitamin C or tranexamic acid?
- Yes, it is usually formulated as a supporting player alongside them rather than as the main active, and it is gentle enough to layer without adding much irritation risk.
- Is it good for sensitive or redness-prone skin?
- Yes, its soothing profile makes it a common pick for people who want a brightening formula that is less likely to add visible irritation.