GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE)

📋 Quick facts

Description: GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE) — CIR reviewed: safe as used in cosmetics. Report: Final Report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel: Safety Assessment of Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Rhizome/Root, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Juice, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Powder, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Water, Glycyrrhiza Inflata (Licorice) Root Extract and Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract.

Quick Facts:

• Category: other

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Licorice has been studied for vaginal atrophy, a common issue after menopause
• A 2% licorice vaginal cream was tested in a controlled trial with 70 postmenopausal women over 8 weeks
• The licorice group showed significant improvements in vaginal cell maturation compared to placebo
• Vaginal pH levels decreased significantly with licorice treatment
• Research is limited to one small trial; more studies would strengthen confidence in these findings

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Vaginal atrophy is a real condition affecting postmenopausal women where vaginal tissues thin and become less healthy. One small randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (2020) examined whether a 2% licorice cream could help. #1: Vaginal cell maturation improved dramatically in the licorice group—jumping from 0% of participants with healthy maturation indices at the start to 82.9% after 8 weeks, compared to only 11.4% in the placebo group (J Tradit Complement Med, 2020). The researchers measured this using something called the maturation value index, which tracks whether vaginal cells are in a healthy state.

#2: The types of cells lining the vagina shifted from baseline toward intermediate and superficial cells in both groups, but the effect was stronger with licorice (J Tradit Complement Med, 2020). #3: Vaginal pH—a measure of acidity that matters for vaginal health—decreased significantly over time in the licorice group (J Tradit Complement Med, 2020). The study was relatively small (35 women per group) and only lasted 8 weeks, so larger and longer studies would help confirm whether these benefits hold up over time and in different populations.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Sadeghi M et al. (2020). Impact of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) vaginal cream on vaginal signs and symptoms of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A randomized double blind controlled trial. J Tradit Complement Med.

🧴 Products Containing GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE)

• Lavera EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER
• pixi Clarity Tonic
• LOOPS Dark Spot Mask
• Lavera Mineral Compact Powder – Ivory 01
• nautilus
• Sally Hansen Complete Care 7-in-1 Nail Treatment
• Himalaya Xylitol Toothpaste
• bliss bright idea vitamine C+ tri-pepride sérum au collagène protecteur
• Paula’s Choice Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
• Skinfood Egg White Perfect Pore Cleansing Foam
• Shiseido Future Solution LX Sérum Intensif Contours Fermeté Shiseido
• Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash
• Mario Badescu Mario Badescu Caffeine Eye Cream, Hydrates, Revitalizes, Reduces Wrinkles, Dark Circles And Puffiness
• rael beauty collagen plump and smooth facial sheet masks
• sephora
• yes to
• First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Deep Cleanser with Red Clay
• StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream PLUS
• It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream Anti-Aging Moisturizer
• Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
• Harry’s Post-Shave Balm
• First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser
• Guerlain Orchidée Impériale White – Le concentré anti-âge éclat
• Weleda Gel nettoyant purifiant
• Rimmel BB cream radiance 9 en 1 SPF 25 – 00? très claire
• Rimmel BB cream radiance 9 en 1 SPF 20 – 001 claire
• Erborian Solid Cleansing Oil
• Dove Complete Care
• Weleda Men 24h Deo Roll-On
• Lavera Shampooing Sensitiv
• Lavera Zahncreme
• belif Pore Cleaner Foam Cleanser
• Erborian Black Cleansing Oil
• Skinfood Egg White Pore Foam
• hopes
• Rimmel BB cream radiance 9 en 1 SPF 25 – 002 medium
• Hayaseï Effet express soin choc antifatigue eye patch
• Bubbly, Maxbrands Bubble mask
• OMG, Oh My Glow Bright Booster UV Barrier Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
• sand