Green Tea Extract vs Licorice Root Extract

Green Tea Extract: EGCG, one green-tea component, has limited human acne evidence. Licorice Root Extract: Some licorice-derived compounds are studied for uneven pigmentation.

Research updated 2026-10-25

Five green tea serum bottles lined up on white with pale green gel swatches behind them

Five licorice root products on white, including two Acwell bottles, Éminence, Horbäach liquid extract and Versed

Which one?At a glance What it helps Diagrams Using both Strengths Results Safety How it works Products Questions

Which one is right for you?

Choose Green Tea Extract if…

Consider as optional acne-supporting skincare, with modest expectations.

Mild acne or oiliness
You want a gentle antioxidant
Modest expectations

Choose Licorice Root Extract if…

Consider as an optional pigment ingredient; independent clinical evidence is limited.

Mild uneven tone
Sensitive skin that dislikes stronger pigment actives
Modest expectations

Often combined

Can you use both?

Both are soothing plant extracts; often found together in calming products.

At a glance

● Green Tea Extract

● Licorice Root Extract

Type

Botanical antioxidant mixture

Botanical pigment-targeting mixture

What it does

EGCG, one green-tea component, has limited human acne evidence.

Some licorice-derived compounds are studied for uneven pigmentation.

Best for

Acne; Oiliness

Melasma; Uneven Skin Tone

Studied concentrations

A small study tested topical EGCG; commercial extracts need not match it.

Extracts are not standardized; the cited small study used a liquiritin cream.

When to use

Morning or night, as directed by the finished product.

On the schedule specified for the product or prescribed treatment.

Time to results

Often 8–12 weeks in small cosmetic studies; results may be subtle

Usually assessed over 8–16 weeks

Irritation

May cause irritation or a contact rash; avoid assuming all extracts are gentle.

Botanical extracts can cause allergy or stinging; check the complete formula.

Sensitive skin

Choose a simple formula and test a small area first. Individual tolerance matters more than an ingredient’s reputation for being gentle.

Choose a simple formula and test a small area first. Avoid actively inflamed or broken skin unless the product is specifically directed for it.

Available

Cosmetic or OTC products; some high-strength procedures are separate treatments.

Prescription or cosmetic status depends on the active, formula and country; check the label.

What it helps

Compare uses by strength of evidence. Evidence level describes confidence in a benefit, not its size.

Evidence level

Green Tea Extract

Licorice Root Extract

Limited evidenceEarly or small studies

Acne

A small split-face trial reported improvement with topical EGCG.

Oiliness

Laboratory and preliminary clinical work suggest a possible sebum effect.

Flat tan patches with soft irregular edges across the forehead and upper cheek of an adult with light skin, the surface completely smooth.

Melasma

A small study investigated a specific liquiritin cream.

Uneven Skin Tone

Possible pigment benefit is based on small compound-specific studies.

Insufficient evidence

Redness and fine superficial vessels across a light-skinned cheek and nose.

Rosacea

The cited acne study did not establish rosacea treatment.

Melasma

The reviewed sources do not establish this ingredient as a treatment for this concern.

A relaxed forehead with pronounced deep horizontal furrows.

Deep Wrinkles

The reviewed sources do not establish this ingredient as a treatment for this concern.

Acne

The reviewed sources do not establish this ingredient as a treatment for this concern.

Rosacea

The cited pigment study did not test rosacea.

The front of a forearm on fair skin. Two pale patches with sharp edges sit against lightly tanned skin, and the difference between the patch and the skin around it is subtle.

Vitiligo

The reviewed sources do not establish this ingredient as a treatment for this concern.

How it works

Green Tea Extract mechanism diagram. Affects signaling in lab models: EGCG influences inflammatory and sebum pathways. Extracts are not equivalent: Concentration and stability affect the formula. — Open full-size diagram
Diagram explanation and sources
Affects signaling in lab models: EGCG influences inflammatory and sebum pathways. Extracts are not equivalent: Concentration and stability affect the formula.
Schematic illustration; not a measurement of skin penetration. Effects vary with ingredient identity and formulation. Some illustrated pathways are experimental; laboratory findings do not establish a clinical treatment benefit.
Source 1

Licorice Root Extract mechanism diagram. Contains several active compounds: Glabridin and liquiritin have different actions. May help uneven pigmentation: Extracts and clinical evidence vary. — Open full-size diagram
Diagram explanation and sources
Contains several active compounds: Glabridin and liquiritin have different actions. May help uneven pigmentation: Extracts and clinical evidence vary.
Schematic illustration; not a measurement of skin penetration. Effects vary with ingredient identity and formulation.
Source 1

Using both in one routine

Built from where each one usually sits in a routine. Introduce one at a time.

Morning

Step 1

Cleanser

Step 2

Green Tea ExtractMorning or night

Step 3

Licorice Root ExtractMorning or night

Step 4

Moisturizer

Step 5

Sunscreen

Night

Step 1

Cleanser

Step 2

Green Tea ExtractMorning or night

Step 3

Licorice Root ExtractMorning or night

Step 4

Moisturizer

Strengths and forms

Concentrations

Green tea extract and purified EGCG are different preparations. Their percentages cannot be compared without knowing the amount and stability of the relevant catechins.

Choosing a strength: Look for a standardized extract or named catechin and human evidence for the finished formula.

Higher strengths: A higher extract percentage has not been established as better for acne or routine skin care.

Formula matters: A small clinical study of topical EGCG does not establish a universal percentage range for green tea toners, creams, or serums.

Licorice root extract contains multiple compounds, including liquiritin and glabridin. Whole-extract percentages do not reveal the dose of these individual compounds.

Choosing a strength: Look for the named extract or purified compound and evidence for the finished product.

Higher strengths: There is no established universal percentage range or proof that higher whole-extract concentrations improve pigmentation.

Formula matters: A small study of liquiritin cannot establish a recommended strength for every licorice extract, species, or formulation.

Forms

Serum · Cream

When you’ll see results

Approximate windows, not promises.

● Green Tea Extract

● Licorice Root Extract

First few weeks

First few weeksAssess tolerance and texture; immediate softness can come from the base formula.

First few weeksAssess tolerance first; pigment change is usually slower.

4–8 weeks

4–8 weeksSubtle changes may appear in some tested products; evidence varies.

4–8 weeksSome studied regimens begin showing pigment improvement.

8–12 weeks

8–12 weeksCompare photographs in the same lighting and reassess benefit.

8–12 weeksA useful review point for benefit and irritation.

3–6 months

3–6 monthsPhotoaging trials often need several months; expect modest rather than dramatic change.

3–6 monthsMany melasma trials assess results over three to four months; recurrence is common.

6–12 months

6–12 monthsLong-term evidence is limited for many cosmetic actives; continue only if useful.

6–12 monthsLong-term use depends on the active; follow a monitored plan rather than extending treatment automatically.

Safety and sensitive skin

Common reactions

May cause irritation or a contact rash; avoid assuming all extracts are gentle.

Botanical extracts can cause allergy or stinging; check the complete formula.

When to stop

Stop for persistent burning, swelling, blistering or a new rash. Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty or a severe allergic reaction.

Sensitive or inflamed skin

Choose a simple formula and test a small area first. Individual tolerance matters more than an ingredient’s reputation for being gentle.

Choose a simple formula and test a small area first. Avoid actively inflamed or broken skin unless the product is specifically directed for it.

Important limits

Do not use a cosmetic product as a substitute for diagnosis of an unexplained, changing or persistent skin problem.

Pregnancy

Data are limited; ask the clinician managing your pregnancy.

How it works

In the skin

On the skin. The finished product delivers green tea extract in a particular vehicle.

Entering skin. No single molecular mass. The 500 Da guideline cannot be applied to this whole ingredient family or mixture.

Conversion. No activation step is established as necessary for its intended topical role.

Skin response. EGCG affects sebum and inflammatory pathways in experimental models; extracts differ in concentration and stability.

Additional effects. Proposed pathways do not establish a measured depth of delivery or clinical benefit beyond the studies cited.

On the skin. The finished product delivers licorice root extract in a particular vehicle.

Entering skin. No single molecular mass. The 500 Da guideline cannot be applied to this whole ingredient family or mixture.

Conversion. No activation step is established as necessary for its intended topical role.

Skin response. Compounds such as liquiritin and glabridin have different pigment-related actions; they are not interchangeable extracts.

Additional effects. Proposed pathways do not establish a measured depth of delivery or clinical benefit beyond the studies cited.

Getting in

No single molecular mass. The 500 Da guideline cannot be applied to this whole ingredient family or mixture.

Product examples

Green Tea Extract

Some By Mi Bye Bye Blackhead 30 Days Miracle Green Tea Tox Bubble

Licorice Root Extract

Anua Azelaic Acid 3 Cica Skin Clarifying Toner

Common questions

Green Tea Extract:What should I choose green tea extract for?

Consider as optional acne-supporting skincare, with modest expectations.

Green Tea Extract:How strong is the evidence?

An eight-week randomized split-face study examined EGCG alongside laboratory work. It does not establish all green-tea products as acne, rosacea or melasma treatments.

Licorice Root Extract:What should I choose licorice root extract for?

Consider as an optional pigment ingredient; independent clinical evidence is limited.

Licorice Root Extract:How strong is the evidence?

A 20-woman split-face study tested a specific liquiritin cream for four weeks with sun protection. It does not establish that all licorice extracts treat melasma or rosacea.

Sources