murphyGlycyrrhizic Acid
AKA: Glycyrrhizin, Glycyrrhizinic acid, 1405-86-3, Glycyron, Potenlini, Beta-Glycyrrhizin, Glycyrrhetinic acid glycoside, Glizigen, 18beta-Glycyrrhizic acid
Synthetic
Humectant
Skin Conditioner
Acid
Not Clean
Glycyrrhizic acid is extracted from the root of the licorice plant; Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is a triterpene glycoside with glycyrrhetinic acid that possesses a wide range of pharmacological and biological activities. When extracted from the plant, it can be obtained in the form of ammonium glycyrrhizin and mono-ammonium glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizic acid has been developed in Japan and China as a hepatoprotective drug in cases of chronic hepatitis. From January 2014, glycyrrhizic acid as part of the licorice extract was approved by the FDA as an existing food sweetener. It was approved by Health Canada to be used in over-the-counter products but all the products are currently on the status canceled post marketed.
Solubility Easily soluble in hot water
Formula
C42H62O16
Mol. Weight
822.90
CAS #
1405-86-3
Form
Liquid
State
Solid with intensely sweet taste; [Merck Index] Crystalline plates or prisms; [MSDSonline]
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Redness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Functions
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks In Moisture
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
Human test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 349)
Not a Sensitizer
2 studies / 2 not sensitizing (CIR 349)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
5 studies / 2 irritating / 1 mixed / 2 not irritating / reactions slight to moderate (CIR 349)
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR