Licorice has several properties that are useful for cosmetic applications. They include:
Glabridin, the main compound in the hydrophobic fraction of licorice extract is known for its beneficial effects on the skin due to its anti-inflammatory and skin whitening properties. Glycyrrhizin and glychrrhetinic acid are also known to have anti-inflammatory properties. The hydrophobic fraction containing glabridin and other flavonoids is known to have an inhibitory effect on melanogenesis. Some researchers have established that this effect may be due to the constituents ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity.