Food For Your Face | Licorice

Food For Your Face | Licorice

While you may know licorice as the divisive soft candy (team licorice all the way!), the flavouring is derived from the root Glycyrrhiza glabra, a herbaceous perennial legume. Many species of the plant are grown throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. As one of the world’s oldest herbal remedies, licorice has been used to soothe sore throats, treat ulcers, and as a topical application in skin care. Grab a bag of chocolate bullets and let’s dive into the wonderful world of licorice. 

5 Food Facts

1. If you think that licorice flavouring is solely used in confectionary, think again! The flavouring agents from the licorice plant is used across tobaccos, beers, and even brandy.

2. Glycyrrhizin, the component that gives the licorice taste, is 50 times sweeter than sugar.

3. Many licorice products manufactured in the United States actually don’t contain any licorice. Instead, they contain anise oil, which tastes like licorice but isn’t quite the real deal!

4. Sweet tooths beware – Dutch licorice contains a significant amount of salt, reducing the sweetness of the lolly.  

5. While licorice can be devilishly addictive, make sure to consume in moderation. Too much Glycyrrhizin can result in dire consequences. 

5 Fun Facts

1.    Here’s a weird one! Due to the foaming properties of the plant, licorice root is often used in the manufacturing of fire extinguishers.

2.    Ancient Egyptians used licorice as a pharmaceutical to treat all sorts of ailments.

3.    Sticking to the theme of Ancient Egypt, King Tutankhamen was buried with a large quantity of licorice in his tomb.

4.    Licorice is a powerful antioxidant that contains phytoestrogens. This can be very useful to women during menopause but can lower testosterone in men.

5.    Another one for the history books, French General Napoleon Bonaparte was an avid lover of licorice. In fact, he chewed so much of the stuff his teeth went black! 

Face the Facts: Licorice in Skin Care

Out of the lolly jar and into the beauty cabinet, licorice is a powerful ingredient that can be topically applied to treat a myriad of concerns. Treating hyperpigmentation is where licorice really shines. Licorice root extract has been used for centuries as a home remedy for lightening and brightening uneven skin tones. To tackle darks spots and skin discolouration, licorice is useful in reducing excess melanin, calming inflammation (which can lead to dark spots), and inhibiting melanin production.

Licorice contains powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a great fighter of oxidative damage to keep your skin looking young and healthy. In addition, this makes licorice useful for treating skin concerns like eczema, psoriasis, and even acne. Ready to incorporate licorice into your skin care routine? Check out our favourite licorice products below!

Featured Licorice Products

Explore our skin care range today to find the perfect licorice product for your skin. Every ingredient is organically grown and handpicked from our beautiful organic farm in Hungary to ensure you are using only the best products on your skin. 

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