Licorice Extract Benefits for Hair Care
Quick Facts
Botanical Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
INCI Name: Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Ingredient Type: Botanical root extract
Benefits: Scalp soothing, antioxidant support, oil-balance support and emerging follicle research
Best Uses: Conditioner and scalp-focused hair care
Overview
Licorice extract contains glycyrrhizin, licochalcone A, glabridin and other flavonoids that give it an interesting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant profile. In hair care, we value it primarily for scalp comfort and balance.
What the Science Says
- A double-blind human trial found topical licorice gel improved erythema, edema and itching in atopic dermatitis, supporting licorice's skin-soothing potential.
- Licorice compounds have broad anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in laboratory and review literature.
- Emerging multi-ingredient hair-growth research that includes licorice root has shown activity in human dermal papilla cells, making follicle support an interesting research direction even though the effect cannot be assigned to licorice alone.
Key Compounds / Chemistry
- Glycyrrhizin: Associated with soothing and anti-inflammatory activity.
- Licochalcone A: Antioxidant compound studied for sebum and inflammatory pathways.
- Glabridin: Flavonoid with antioxidant activity.
Hair & Scalp Benefits
- Helps dry, itchy or irritated-feeling scalps feel calmer.
- Supports a balanced scalp environment.
- Adds antioxidant protection to scalp-focused formulas.
- Has emerging formulation-level research relevant to follicle and hair-retention pathways.
Why Natural Escapes Body Uses It
We use licorice extract in conditioner because it adds a soothing botanical element where it matters most: the scalp. It complements the moisturizing and conditioning ingredients in the formula so hair feels softer while the scalp feels calm and comfortable.
Products Featuring This Ingredient
Related Guides
Safety Notes
- Licorice extract is generally well tolerated in rinse-off hair-care formulas; patch test if your scalp is highly reactive.
FAQs
Why use licorice extract in conditioner?
It adds anti-inflammatory and antioxidant botanical support, helping the scalp feel calmer while the rest of the formula conditions the hair.
Does licorice have hair-growth research?
There is emerging formulation-level and cell research relevant to hair-growth pathways. The evidence is interesting, but not yet strong enough to say licorice alone is a proven human hair-growth treatment.
