In the complex landscape of skincare, where potent actives often come with a risk of irritation, finding an ingredient that is both powerful and exceptionally gentle is the holy grail. Meet Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate—a humble yet mighty compound that acts as your skin’s personal firefighter, expertly extinguishing the flames of inflammation and irritation.
If your skin is reactive, prone to redness, or constantly feels uncomfortable, this ingredient is the gentle, scientific solution you’ve been searching for. It doesn’t just mask the symptoms; it works at a cellular level to restore peace and balance. This guide will explore the science behind this superstar soother, how it works, and why it has become an indispensable tool for dermatologists and anyone struggling with stressed skin.
At a Glance: Key Benefits
- Powerful Soothing: Rapidly calms redness, itching, and signs of irritation.
- Scientifically Proven: Its anti-inflammatory effects are well-documented in dermatological studies.
- Extremely Gentle: Exceptionally safe and well-tolerated, even by the most sensitive skin types.
- Hydration Support: Helps your skin retain its natural moisture by protecting hyaluronic acid.
- Barrier Friendly: Supports a healthy, resilient skin barrier.
What Is Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate? Meet Your Skin’s Guardian
From Ancient Herb to Skincare Star: The Power of Licorice Root
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate is not a harsh, synthetic chemical. It is a salt derived from the star active compound of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Glycyrrhizic Acid. For centuries, licorice root has been a cornerstone of traditional medicine, prized for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Modern science has allowed us to isolate and purify its most potent component, creating Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate—a water-soluble ingredient that is easy for cosmetic formulators to work with and highly effective on the skin.
Why It’s a Go-To for Dermatologists and Formulators
Dermatologists love this ingredient because it offers effects comparable to mild corticosteroids in calming inflammation, but without the potential side effects like skin thinning or rebound sensitivity. Its stellar safety profile and proven efficacy make it a reliable choice for formulations aimed at sensitive, compromised, or inflamed skin conditions. It provides powerful relief while being gentle enough for daily, long-term use.
The Core Benefits: How Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Calms Your Skin
This ingredient’s magic lies in its multi-pronged approach to restoring skin health. It doesn’t just do one thing; it orchestrates a symphony of calming actions.
Benefit 1: A Powerful Anti-Inflammatory and Redness Reducer (Its Superpower)
This is the primary and most celebrated benefit. When your skin is exposed to irritants, allergens, or UV radiation, it triggers a complex inflammatory cascade, resulting in redness, swelling, and a burning or itching sensation. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate acts as a master switch to turn down this response.
- How It Works: It works by inhibiting key inflammatory mediators in the skin. Think of it like this: when your skin is irritated, it sends out alarm signals (like prostaglandins and histamine). Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate intercepts these signals, preventing them from creating chaos. This targeted action effectively “puts out the fire,” leading to a visible and palpable reduction in redness and irritation.
- Case in Point: Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): Eczema is characterized by intense inflammation and a compromised skin barrier. Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of licorice-derived compounds in managing its symptoms. For instance, a clinical study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment involved patients with atopic dermatitis. A cream containing 2% licorice extract (with glycyrrhizic acid as the main component) was applied twice daily. After two weeks, the study found a significant reduction in erythema (redness), edema (swelling), and itching compared to the placebo group. This confirms its powerful role in managing chronic inflammatory skin conditions.
Benefit 2: The Hydration Guardian: Preserving Your Skin’s Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrated skin is healthy skin. Our bodies naturally produce Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a molecule that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, keeping our skin plump and moist. However, an enzyme called hyaluronidase acts as a “moisture thief,” constantly breaking down our precious HA.
- The Science Explained: Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate has been shown to inhibit the activity of this destructive hyaluronidase enzyme. By acting as a guardian for your skin’s natural hyaluronic acid, it helps maintain higher moisture levels from within. This leads to improved skin hydration, reduced flakiness, and a restoration of suppleness, making it a fantastic supporting ingredient in any hydrating routine.
Benefit 3: A Helper for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Inflammation is a key driver of acne. A pimple isn’t just a clog; it’s an inflammatory response to bacteria within the pore.
- Regulating Sebum and Calming Breakouts: Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate tackles acne from two angles. First, it helps regulate sebum production, reducing the excess oil that can lead to clogged pores. Second, and more importantly, its powerful anti-inflammatory action calms the redness and swelling around an active breakout, making blemishes appear less angry and helping them heal faster.
Benefit 4: Promoting an Even, Bright Skin Tone
Many people struggle with dark marks left behind after a pimple has healed. This is called Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH), and it’s caused by an overproduction of melanin triggered by the initial inflammation.
- More Than Just Calming: Fading Post-Inflammatory Marks: Because Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate is so effective at curbing inflammation, it helps prevent this entire process from starting. By calming the initial breakout quickly, it significantly reduces the likelihood of a dark, stubborn mark forming. While it’s not a direct bleaching agent, it’s a highly effective brightening ingredient through its preventative, anti-inflammatory pathway.
Who Should Use Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate?
While it is beneficial for almost any skin type, it is a non-negotiable hero ingredient for the following groups:
- Sensitive and Reactive Skin: If your skin easily flushes, stings, or reacts to products, this is one of the safest and most effective calming agents you can use.
- Skin Prone to Rosacea and Eczema: Its proven ability to manage redness and inflammation makes it a cornerstone of routines aimed at these conditions.
- Post-Procedure Skin: After professional treatments like chemical peels, microneedling, or non-ablative lasers, the skin is in a fragile, inflamed state. Using products with Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate can significantly speed up recovery, reduce downtime, and calm post-treatment redness.
- Acne-Prone Skin: To soothe existing breakouts and prevent the red marks they leave behind.
Is Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Safe? Unpacking the Facts
Absolutely. For topical cosmetic use, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate has a stellar safety record.
It has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, which deemed it safe for use in cosmetics. It is non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and generally well-tolerated by all skin types.
- Topical Use vs. Ingestion: A Crucial Distinction: You may have heard about health risks associated with consuming large amounts of licorice, such as elevated blood pressure. It’s critical to understand that these risks are linked to the high-dose, systemic ingestion of glycyrrhizic acid. The amount used in topical skincare products is minuscule by comparison and is not absorbed into the bloodstream in a way that would cause these systemic effects. Its safety for topical application is well-established.
How to Incorporate It into Your Routine
- Finding It on the Ingredient List: Look for “Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate” on the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) list. You will find it in a wide range of products, from cleansers and toners to serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens.
- Perfect Pairings: Ingredients That Work Well With It: Its gentle nature makes it an excellent team player. It pairs beautifully with other barrier-supporting and calming ingredients to create a powerful soothing cocktail. Look for it in formulas with:
- Ceramides: To rebuild the skin barrier.
- Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5): For hydration and repair.
- Niacinamide: To further help with redness, oil control, and barrier function.
- Centella Asiatica (Cica): Another powerful soothing and healing agent.
It’s also an ideal buffer to use alongside potentially irritating actives like retinoids (e.g., Tretinoin) or exfoliating acids (AHA/BHA) to minimize their sensitizing side effects.
よくある質問（FAQ）
Is Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate better than Licorice Root Extract?
Not necessarily “better,” but different. Licorice Root Extract contains a complex mix of beneficial compounds. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate is the purified, standardized salt of its single most potent anti-inflammatory component. This makes it highly predictable, stable, and easy to formulate with, which is why it’s often preferred in clinical-style formulations.
Is it natural?
Yes, it is derived from a natural source—the licorice plant.
Can it cause breakouts?
No, it is non-comedogenic. In fact, due to its anti-inflammatory and sebum-regulating properties, it is more likely to help prevent breakouts than cause them.
The Takeaway: Your Gentle Solution for Resilient, Calm Skin
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate stands out as a true skincare hero. It offers scientifically-backed, powerful relief from the most common skin complaints—redness, irritation, and inflammation—all while being exceptionally gentle and safe. Whether you are battling a chronic sensitive skin condition, recovering from a procedure, or simply want to build a more resilient and calm complexion, incorporating this licorice-derived powerhouse into your routine is one of the smartest moves you can make for your skin’s long-term health and comfort.
さらなる読書と研究のために
To explore the science behind Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and its benefits, consult these authoritative sources:
Paula’s Choice Ingredient Dictionary: A trusted resource providing a clear, evidence-based summary of cosmetic ingredients.
Paula’s Choice – Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
INCI Decoder: A website dedicated to breaking down and explaining skincare ingredient lists in simple terms.
INCI Decoder – Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
PubMed – National Library of Medicine: A database of biomedical literature where you can find original clinical studies. Searching for terms like “glycyrrhizic acid atopic dermatitis” or “licorice extract rosacea” will yield relevant research papers.
Example Study: A cream containing licorice extract in atopic dermatitis treatment
Japanese 
English 
French 
German 
Italian 
Korean 
Russian 
Spanish 
Portuguese