Benefits
Skin Brightening (Glabridin)
Glabridin (licorice flavonoid) inhibits tyrosinase — relevant to skin brightening and hyperpigmentation; used in skincare formulations.
Anti-Inflammatory Skin Effects
Licorice flavonoids reduce inflammatory markers in skin; relevant to inflammatory skin conditions.
Reduced Glycyrrhizin (Safety Distinction)
Standard licorice extracts contain glycyrrhizin — causes blood pressure increase and aldosterone effects at high/chronic doses; Glycyrrhizina's flavonoid-focused approach minimizes these concerns while preserving bioactive flavonoids.
Oral Care Applications
Licochalcones have antimicrobial activity relevant to oral care; reduces bad breath and gingival inflammation.
Antioxidant Activity
Multiple flavonoid antioxidants provide cellular protection.
Mechanism of action
Glabridin Tyrosinase Inhibition
Glabridin is one of most potent natural tyrosinase inhibitors — reduces melanin production; mechanism for skin brightening applications.
Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Multiple licorice flavonoids reduce inflammatory pathway activation; relevant to skin and other applications.
Antimicrobial Activity
Licochalcones have documented antimicrobial activity against oral and skin pathogens.
Glycyrrhizin Reduction
Standard licorice's glycyrrhizin causes pseudoaldosteronism (blood pressure increase, potassium loss, edema) at high/chronic doses; Glycyrrhizina's processed approach minimizes these effects.
Clinical trials
Multiple studies of glabridin and licorice flavonoids on skin pigmentation.
Adults with hyperpigmentation concerns.
Skin brightening effects; reduction in melanin markers.
About this ingredient
GLYCYRRHIZINA is BGG's LICORICE FLAVONOID extract (GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA). LICORICE BACKGROUND: roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra; long traditional use in Chinese, Ayurvedic, Western herbal medicine; contains GLYCYRRHIZIN (intensely sweet glycoside) plus FLAVONOIDS (glabridin, licochalcones).
KEY DISTINCTION: REDUCED GLYCYRRHIZIN profile while preserving bioactive flavonoids — addresses primary safety concern (glycyrrhizin's blood pressure and aldosterone effects).
EVIDENCE-BASED USES: (1) SKIN BRIGHTENING (glabridin tyrosinase inhibition); (2) Anti-inflammatory skin effects; (3) Oral care (antimicrobial); (4) Antioxidant activity; (5) Reduced safety concerns vs full-spectrum licorice.
CRITICAL CAUTIONS: (1) GLYCYRRHIZIN CONCERNS — even reduced products may have residual; high/chronic doses cause hypertension, hypokalemia, edema; (2) PREGNANCY — AVOID concentrated licorice in pregnancy regardless of glycyrrhizin level; (3) HYPERTENSION — caution; verify glycyrrhizin reduction; (4) GLYCYRRHIZINA vs DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) — different products; DGL for GI applications; Glycyrrhizina BGG's flavonoid-rich version; (5) DOSE — per BGG specification; (6) FOR SKIN HEALTH — glabridin among most evidence-based natural skin brightening compounds; (7) BRAND VERIFICATION — Glycyrrhizina is BGG product.