Glycyrrhizic Acid

Glycyrrhizic Acid

AKA “glycyrrhizin, Glycyrrhizinic acid, 1405-86-3, Glycyron, potenlini, beta-Glycyrrhizin, Glycyrrhetinic acid glycoside, Glizigen, 18beta-Glycyrrhizic acid”

Acid

Ingredient Facts

Glycyrrhizic acid

AKA: Glycyrrhizin, Glycyrrhizinic acid, 1405-86-3, Glycyron, Potenlini, Beta-Glycyrrhizin, Glycyrrhetinic acid glycoside, Glizigen, 18beta-Glycyrrhizic acid

Acid · Humectant · EWG: 4

Synthetic

Humectant

Skin Conditioner

Acid

Not Clean

Glycyrrhizic acid is extracted from the root of the licorice plant; Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is a triterpene glycoside with glycyrrhetinic acid that possesses a wide range of pharmacological and biological activities. When extracted from the plant, it can be obtained in the form of ammonium glycyrrhizin and mono-ammonium glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizic acid has been developed in Japan and China as a hepatoprotective drug in cases of chronic hepatitis. From January 2014, glycyrrhizic acid as part of the licorice extract was approved by the FDA as an existing food sweetener. It was approved by Health Canada to be used in over-the-counter products but all the products are currently on the status canceled post marketed.

Solubility Easily soluble in hot water

Formula

C42H62O16

Mol. Weight

822.90

CAS #

1405-86-3

Form

Liquid

State

Solid with intensely sweet taste; [Merck Index] Crystalline plates or prisms; [MSDSonline]

See origin →

Functions

Humectant

A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.

Skin Conditioning

A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.

Locks In Moisture

Traditional Use

The primary active saponin compound in licorice root, chemically isolated in the early 20th century. Studied extensively from the 1970s onward for anti-inflammatory and skin-conditioning effects in modern skincare.