18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid: Its Core Biological Properties and Dermatological Applications

June 2019 in “ International Journal of Cosmetic Science ”

Andrea Kowalska, Urszula Kalinowska-Lis

TLDR 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid from licorice root is good for skin and hair treatments but has absorption challenges.

The document from June 28, 2019, explored the biological properties and dermatological applications of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a component of licorice root extract. GA was found to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, making it useful in dermatology and cosmetology. However, its poor bioavailability and low water solubility limit its absorption. Strategies to enhance its transdermal delivery include liposomes and nanoemulsions. GA was effective in treating atopic dermatitis, pruritus, and acne vulgaris, and it also reduced UVB-induced erythema and pigmentation. A study on 18 women showed that a cream containing GA reduced thigh fat thickness. GA's anti-inflammatory activity was beneficial for hair loss treatment as it inhibited DHT formation, a factor in baldness. It also showed antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria but not fungi. High doses of GA were linked to pseudoaldosteronism.

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