Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) vs Kojic Acid: which Korean skincare ingredient?
⏱ 1 min read
⚡ Quick answer: Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) vs Kojic Acid: Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) leans toward dark spots & tone, while Kojic Acid targets dark spots & tone. Can you use both? Yes — they layer well together.
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) vs Kojic Acid: Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) leans toward dark spots & tone, while Kojic Acid targets dark spots & tone. Can you use both? Yes — they layer well together.
| Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) | Kojic Acid | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Gamcho is one of the most-used herbs in Korean traditional medicine and it carried straight over into hanbang skincare, where it does double duty as a soother and a gentle tone-evener. | A by-product of the same koji fermentation used to make sake and soy sauce. It can be sensitising for some people, so it is usually formulated at modest levels and in company with gentler brighteners. |
| Best for | Dark spots & tone, Redness & sensitivity, Melasma & stubborn patches, Reactive & easily-stung skin | Dark spots & tone, Melasma & stubborn patches, Dullness & glow |
| When to use | BOTH | PM |
Which should you choose?
Choose Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) if your priority is Dark spots & tone; choose Kojic Acid for Dark spots & tone. Many Korean routines use both — yes — they layer well together.
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) guide →Kojic Acid guide →
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⏭ Up next⚖️ Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) vs 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid: which Korean skincare ingredient?
✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-08-23.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.