Vitamin C vs Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza): which Korean skincare ingredient?
Vitamin C vs Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza): Vitamin C leans toward dark spots & tone, while Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) targets dark spots & tone. Can you use both? Yes — they layer well together.
| Vitamin C | Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Best in the AM under sunscreen. Pure L-ascorbic acid is potent; derivatives are gentler for sensitive skin. | 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. |
| Best for | Dark spots & tone, Dullness & glow, Anti-ageing & firmness | Dark spots & tone, Redness & sensitivity, Melasma & stubborn patches, Reactive & easily-stung skin |
| When to use | AM | BOTH |
Which should you choose?
Choose Vitamin C if your priority is Dark spots & tone; choose Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) for Dark spots & tone. Many Korean routines use both — yes — they layer well together.
Vitamin C guide →Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza) guide →
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🙋 People also ask
Can you use vitamin C and niacinamide together?
Yes, current understanding is that vitamin C and niacinamide can be used together safely, and many Korean formulas combine them. The old warning that they cancel out is largely outdated. If your skin is sensitive, you can still apply them at different times of day to be cautious.
Can I use vitamin C and retinol together?
Not in the same layer, but easily in the same routine — vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night. That split suits both: vitamin C partners with sunscreen, and retinoids are degraded by light.
✍️ 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.