Licorice Root Infused Oil

Licorice Root Infused Oil is one of the most targeted and well-supported brightening ingredients available in oil-soluble form for skin care formulation. Made by macerating dried licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) in a carrier oil base to extract its oil-soluble active compounds, most importantly glabridin, it delivers the melanin-inhibiting and anti-inflammatory properties of licorice directly into oil-based formulations, facial oils, serums, and creams. Known in Urdu as Mulethi ka tail (ملٹھی کا تیل), it builds on the same deep traditional reputation of licorice root in South Asian skin care, now in a format that integrates seamlessly into modern cosmetic formulation. CosmetiHub supplies cosmetic-grade Licorice Root Infused Oil in Pakistan from 30ml to 1L, alongside Licorice Root Powder for water-based applications, giving formulators both formats for complete coverage across product types.

What is Licorice Root Infused Oil?

Licorice Root Infused Oil is produced by macerating dried, powdered licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) in a carrier oil at controlled temperature over an extended period, allowing the oil-soluble bioactive compounds from the root to transfer into the oil base. The result is a carrier oil enriched with licorice's key oil-soluble actives, primarily glabridin, along with liquiritin, isoliquiritigenin, and other flavonoid compounds that collectively drive its skin-brightening and anti-inflammatory activity.

It is a distinct product from Licorice Root Powder (also available at CosmetiHub), which is the dried ground root used in water-based formulations, masks, and powder blends. These two products are complementary, not interchangeable. Licorice Root Powder dissolves in water-based systems. Licorice Root Infused Oil integrates into oil phases, facial oils, and anhydrous formulations. A formulator building a complete brightening skin care range benefits from having both.

In Urdu it is known as Mulethi ka tail (ملٹھی کا تیل). Mulethi has been used in traditional Pakistani and South Asian skin care for generations as a complexion-brightening and skin-softening ingredient, applied in various forms in home remedies for dull, uneven skin.

Key Benefits

For Skin

• Hyperpigmentation and Dark Spot Reduction: glabridin, the primary active compound extracted from licorice root into the oil, inhibits tyrosinase, the key enzyme responsible for melanin production in the skin. This directly reduces the formation of new dark spots and gradually fades existing hyperpigmentation with consistent use over 8–12 weeks. Glabridin is oil-soluble, making the infused oil the correct format for oil-phase brightening formulations
• Post-Acne Mark Fading: one of the most common and well-supported applications for licorice root actives. The combination of tyrosinase inhibition and anti-inflammatory action directly addresses the two mechanisms behind post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the inflammation that triggers melanin overproduction and the melanin accumulation itself
• Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Calming: licorice flavonoids, particularly liquiritin, have documented anti-inflammatory activity at the skin level. This makes Licorice Root Infused Oil valuable not only for brightening but for calming reactive, redness-prone, and sensitized skin in both targeted treatments and base formulations
• Complexion Evenness and Radiance: consistent use delivers a visible improvement in overall skin evenness, reducing the patchiness and dullness associated with chronic UV exposure, hormonal pigmentation, and post-inflammatory marks over 8–12 weeks
• Sun Damage Recovery: the tyrosinase-inhibiting action makes licorice root actives particularly effective for addressing solar lentigines and sun-induced hyperpigmentation, where excess melanin production is the primary mechanism
• Antioxidant Protection: the polyphenol content contributes antioxidant activity that protects skin from ongoing free-radical damage, slowing the progression of oxidative aging and UV-induced pigmentation changes
• Gentle Enough for Sensitive Skin: unlike synthetic brightening agents such as hydroquinone or high-concentration kojic acid, licorice-derived glabridin delivers melanin inhibition with a significantly lower irritation and sensitization risk, making it usable on sensitive and reactive skin types

Applications

The following are inspirational starting points for how Licorice Root Infused Oil can be incorporated into your skin care routine or formulation work. Incorporate it into your products based on your specific formulation needs and your skin's response.

Brightening Facial Oil Licorice Root Infused Oil works beautifully as a standalone facial brightening oil or blended with complementary carriers. Apply a few drops to clean skin morning and evening, or incorporate it into your oil-phase formulations alongside brightening companions like Rosehip Seed Oil and Carrot Seed Oil from CosmetiHub for a multi-mechanism approach to uneven skin tone and dullness.

Targeted Dark Spot and Post-Acne Treatment For concentrated brightening work on specific areas — dark spots, post-acne marks, uneven patches, apply a few drops directly to the areas of concern and allow to absorb fully. Consistent, patient application over several weeks is what drives visible results with any melanin-inhibiting ingredient.

Oil-Phase Inclusion in Serums and Creams Incorporate Licorice Root Infused Oil into the oil phase of your emulsified serums, face creams, and facial oils to add its glabridin and licorice flavonoid payload to a wider formulation system. It blends easily with other oil-phase ingredients and works alongside antioxidants, vitamin derivatives, and other brightening actives in professional formulation.

Underarm and Body Brightening Licorice glabridin is widely used in brightening formulations for underarm and body skin where hyperpigmentation and uneven tone are common concerns. Apply a few drops to affected areas or incorporate the oil into a targeted body brightening formulation for a gentle, skin-compatible brightening approach.

Scalp and Hair Care Incorporate Licorice Root Infused Oil into scalp treatment blends to take advantage of its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties for an irritated or sensitive scalp. It blends naturally with antimicrobial carriers such as Black Seed (Kalonji) Oil and Neem Oil from CosmetiHub for a calming, nourishing scalp oil.

Complete Brightening Range with Licorice Root Powder For formulators building a full-spectrum brightening product range, use Licorice Root Infused Oil in oil-phase products, facial oils, serums, creams, and Licorice Root Powder from CosmetiHub in water-based applications, face masks, and powder formulations. The two products together provide complete coverage across every product format in a brightening skin care line.

Technical Specifications

Safety Information

Patch Test Required: As with all botanical-infused oils, conduct a patch test before first full application, particularly for customers with sensitive or reactive skin. Apply a small amount to the inner forearm and wait 24 hours before full use.

Not a Replacement for Sunscreen: Licorice Root Infused Oil inhibits new melanin production and helps fade existing pigmentation, but it does not block UV radiation. For any brightening treatment to be effective, consistent daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential — without sun protection, UV exposure will continuously re-trigger melanin production and counteract the brightening effect.

Not for Internal Use: Supplied for external cosmetic use only.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry, and dark place. Keep the bottle tightly sealed after each use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Licorice Root Infused Oil called in Urdu? It is known as Mulethi ka tail (ملٹھی کا تیل), meaning oil of the licorice root. Mulethi has been used in traditional Pakistani and South Asian skin care for generations for brightening and softening the complexion, and this infused oil delivers those benefits in a format compatible with modern oil-based skin care formulation.

What is the difference between Licorice Root Infused Oil and Licorice Root Powder? They are complementary products serving different formulation systems. Licorice Root Powder is the dried, ground root used in water-based formulations, face masks, scrubs, and powder blends. Licorice Root Infused Oil delivers the oil-soluble actives, particularly glabridin, into oil phases, facial oils, and creams. For a complete brightening skin care range, both products are useful. Both are available at CosmetiHub.

How does glabridin brighten skin? Glabridin is a potent tyrosinase inhibitor. Tyrosinase is the enzyme that drives melanin production in skin cells, when UV exposure, inflammation, or hormonal changes trigger overproduction, excess melanin results in dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. Glabridin blocks this enzyme, directly reducing new melanin formation while existing excess pigment fades through natural skin cell turnover over 8–12 weeks.

How long before brightening results are visible? Expect the first visible improvement in evenness and reduction of dark spots at around 8 weeks of consistent use. Significant results for deeper hyperpigmentation typically require 12 weeks. Melanin in existing skin cells does not disappear overnight — it fades as those cells turn over through the skin's natural renewal cycle, and meaningful change requires multiple cycles.

Does it work for melasma? Licorice root glabridin is one of the better-tolerated and more evidence-supported natural options for melasma management. It inhibits tyrosinase without the irritation or safety concerns associated with hydroquinone. However, melasma is a hormonally driven, chronic condition, consistent sun protection is non-negotiable alongside any brightening treatment, as UV exposure will continuously re-trigger the pigmentation without it.

Can it be used with Vitamin C? Yes, licorice glabridin and vitamin C derivatives target melanin production through different but complementary pathways. Using both in a formulation or routine creates a synergistic brightening effect that is stronger than either alone. This is a well-established combination in professional brightening skin care formulation.

What CosmetiHub products pair best with Licorice Root Infused Oil? For a brightening facial oil, combine with Rosehip Seed Oil and Carrot Seed Oil. For a targeted anti-aging and brightening blend, pair with Bakuchi Seed Oil and Apricot Kernel Oil as a lightweight base. For water-based brightening formulations and face masks, use Licorice Root Powder from CosmetiHub. For a soothing scalp oil blend, combine with Black Seed (Kalonji) Oil and Neem Oil.

Why Choose CosmetiHub?

At CosmetiHub, we supply Licorice Root Infused Oil at cosmetic grade quality — consistent, clear, and formulation-ready. Whether you are building a professional brightening facial oil, a targeted dark spot treatment, a clean-beauty hyperpigmentation serum, or a soothing scalp oil, our Licorice Root Infused Oil delivers the glabridin and licorice flavonoid content that makes this ingredient one of the most effective brightening materials available in oil-soluble form. We also supply Licorice Root Powder for water-based applications, giving you both formats from a single supplier.

Suitable for professional cosmetic formulators, skin care makers, brightening product developers, DIY enthusiasts, and anyone building a serious hyperpigmentation or skin-evening treatment routine.