Science
Mechanism of Action
This active compound strengthens keratinocytes' natural antioxidant defenses, effectively mitigating UVA-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. It significantly boosts cellular ATP production and overall energy, which helps restore cell vitality and proliferation. By inhibiting mitochondrial uncoupling, Liquiritigenin aids in preventing photoaging and stimulating the synthesis of new collagen. It also acts as a selective estrogen receptor β (ERβ) agonist and a partial ERα agonist, contributing to its anti-inflammatory profile, and modulates COX-1 while binding strongly to COX-2. While some in vitro studies suggest potential for melanogenesis via p38 and PKA signaling pathways at high concentrations, its presence within Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract has shown tyrosinase inhibitory activity.
Research
Clinical Evidence
Medium confidenceN/A
Transparency
Dusting Analysis
The Formula
Formulation
Stability
Liquiritigenin presents formulation challenges despite being soluble in both water and various organic solvents. Its estimated water solubility is 873.5 mg/L at 25°C, with good solubility in organic solvents like DMF (30 mg/ml), DMSO (30-125 mg/mL), and Ethanol (25 mg/ml). However, it is reported to 'hardly dissolve in water and general oil' and can be unstable, prone to consolidation and coloring in extract form. Sonication may be required for dissolution, and complex delivery systems such as liposome-in-hydrogel are beneficial for enhancing skin permeability.
Safety
Safety Profile
No dedicated safety assessments from regulatory bodies such as CIR, SCCS, or FDA for pure Liquiritigenin are currently available in the literature. While licorice extracts, from which Liquiritigenin is derived, are widely utilized in cosmetic formulations, the specific safety profile of the isolated compound requires further comprehensive evaluation.
Your Skin
Skin Compatibility
Our Assessment
Verdict
Liquiritigenin holds valuable potential for skincare, particularly in anti-aging and photoprotection, supported by strong in vitro and animal mechanistic data, though further human topical efficacy and safety studies for the pure compound are needed to define optimal usage parameters.
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