Melasma, Age Spots, and the Licorice Root

As we age, though, many of us develop melasma and age spots, which are those annoying discolorations on our skin that appear out of the blue and multiply like rabbits.

Melasma is the result of excess production of melanin in your skin. (Melanin causes the pigmentation, or coloring, in your skin, including when you tan.) Melasma is also known as “pregnancy mask” because it’s common among pregnant woman. This hyperpigmentation may be triggered by hormones.

Age spots, also known as liver spots or sunspots, are flat brown or dark spots appear on fair skin, and most often on sun-exposed areas like your face, hands, arms, shoulders, and upper back.

While these discolorations are harmless, most of us want to make them less noticeable. Genetics, skin aging, the sun, and other forms of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure (think: tanning beds!) may all contribute to hyperpigmentation.

Out, Out, Melasma

Just because you worshiped the sun in your younger days, or are genetically prone to age spots, doesn’t mean you’re stuck with them forever.

There are a number of ways to remove, or at least lighten, hyperpigmentation including prescription medications and bleaching creams. These products frequently contain hydroquinone or retinoids like tretinoin which can take several months to fade your age spots. They also make your skin more sensitive to UV damage and spots tend to reappear quickly soon after you stop using them.

Other medical procedures, including pulsed light treatment, chemical peels, dermabrasion, and cryosurgery, are also used, but each procedure risks uncomfortable side effects and complications, not to mention their cost.

A Healthy Alternative

At LuxeOrganix, we prefer a healthier alternative to lightening and evening skin tone. That’s why we use Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root extract in our Kakadu Vitamin C Brightening Serum.

Licorice Root extract is the most important ingredient in Japanese Kampo medicine and traditional Chinese medicines, where it’s been used for centuries. It’s also taking modern skincare products to a whole new level.

How It Works

One of the most potent and active compounds of licorice root extract is glabridin. Glabridin lightens skin and prevents the production of the enzyme tyrosinase, which darkens skin after it is exposed to the sun. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help with eczema and psoriasis, and may also reduce the inflammation associated with acne and rosacea. Glabridin is really beneficial to and can soothe sensitive skin.

Another compound found in licorice root extract is liquiritin. Among liquiritin’s many benefits is that it suppresses UV-induced skin injuries.

In plain English, that means that it works to prevent the formation and to remove any excess melanin. It has natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other stresses, including sunlight.

Free radicals cause your skin to age prematurely, so removing them means your skin will look younger for longer.

Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which is a potent antioxidant with antimicrobial properties. Gycyrrhizin’s antimicrobial properties make it ideal for treating skin conditions like acne and eczema, and some studies show that these antimicrobial properties help combat Staphylococcus Aureus, a bacteria which causes skin infections.

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, licorice root contains licochalcone, which helps regulate the production of oil in the skin.

Licorice root extract also helps regenerate elastin and collagen to leave you with skin that’s soft and smooth to the touch and doesn’t sag. It also contains amino acids, which have been known to help moisturize and rehydrate your skin. All of this prevents and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.

We Licorice

We do love the anise-flavored licorice that you eat, but in this article, we definitely mean that we LOVE the Licorice Root extract we’re using in our Kakadu serum. With regular use, it naturally:

• Decreases hyperpigmentation
• Brightens your complexion
• Moisturizes and smoothes
• Reduces inflammation and scarring
• Softens fine lines and wrinkles
• Soothes sensitive skin
• Controls oil production

After daily use of our Kakadu Vitamin C Serum, the Princess lived happily, spot-free, ever after!  👸

Where You Can Find It

We use Licorice Root extract in our Kakadu Vitamin C Brightening Serum, ReNew Exfoliating Face Mask Polishing Scrub, and Brilliant Eyes Daily Eye Cream. Daily use of these products will help lighten melasma and age spots, even your skin tone, clear and control acne, and brighten your overall complexion. Give it a try!

Brilliant Eyes Bio-Advanced Daily Eye Cream