Skincare without the upsell.
Gl

Glycyrrhetinic Acid (and derivatives)

Glycyrrhetinic Acid · 18-Beta-Glycyrrhetinic Acid · Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate · Potassium Glycyrrhetinate · Glycyrrhetinyl StearateSoothing

The oil-loving soothing component of licorice root, and the esters made from it — used to calm redness in sensitive-skin and barrier formulas.

What it does

Glycyrrhetinic acid (also called enoxolone or 18-beta-glycyrrhetinic acid) is the lipophilic compound left when the sugar is removed from glycyrrhizin, licorice root's main saponin. Where dipotassium glycyrrhizate is the water-soluble licorice derivative, glycyrrhetinic acid and its esters — stearyl glycyrrhetinate is the most common — are the oil-soluble ones, so they show up in the cream and balm phase of soothing, redness-calming, and barrier-supporting formulas. Its recognized role is conditioning and calming for reactive skin; specific skin-benefit claims belong with their own cited evidence.

Also known as

18-beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, enoxolone, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, potassium glycyrrhetinate, glycyrrhetinyl stearate

Pairs worth knowing

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) · works together ↗Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5) · works together ↗Centella Asiatica (Cica) · works together ↗Licorice Root Extract · works together ↗

Browse all 668 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.

This page is public so a shared ingredient card always has its sources behind it — and so you can check them without an account.
Want more like this?
Every evidence-based flag cites its source, Drop tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more. The app launches on iOS and Android in October 2026. Rate my routine works today at /rate — no sign-in.
See what Drop doesHow Drop works