Licorice Root Extract: what it is in skincare

A licorice-derived extract that helps brighten the look of dark spots and soothes the skin.

What it does

Function: brightening/soothing. Soothing actives help comfort the look of redness and sensitivity — a defining strength of Korean cica/centella and heartleaf formulas.

How to spot it on a label

On a Korean product's INCI list, look for Licorice Root Extract. Ingredients are listed high-to-low by amount, so its position hints at how much is in the formula. See all soothing / calming →

✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed 2026-06-21.

General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.