What it does
An anti-inflammatory active derived from licorice root. Calms redness, supports barrier recovery, and adds a soothing layer to active-heavy formulas.
Best for
Sensitive or reactive skin, redness-prone skin, and lifting creams with stronger actives like retinoids or high-concentration peptides.
The full picture
Glycyrrhetinic acid is the active anti-inflammatory compound in licorice root extract. It works in part by inhibiting the inflammatory cascade similar to (but milder than) hydrocortisone, without the long-term thinning concerns of a topical steroid. In lifting creams it appears at low concentrations as a soothing counterweight to actives like retinoids, vitamin C, or stronger peptides. Found in SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced at approximately 1% as part of the brand's tolerability profile.
Evidence
Topical glycyrrhetinic acid has been shown to reduce skin inflammation, redness, and irritation in clinical studies.
Read the source: PubMed: glycyrrhetinic acid and skin inflammation ->