A dark mark from one breakout can take months to fade, and the inflammation around it keeps prompting more pigment while it lasts. Licorice root works on both sides of that problem, slowing the excess pigment behind dark spots and calming the redness and irritation that trigger more of it.

The short answer

Licorice root slows how much excess pigment your skin produces and calms irritated skin, which makes it especially useful when dark marks and redness show up together. Expect redness and stinging to settle first and dark spots to fade gradually after that. It is gentle enough for reactive skin and works alongside other brightening ingredients. Daily use, with sunscreen every morning, is what gives you results.

A pigment cell with a coral enzyme making dark granules, teal glabridin droplets on the enzyme and few granules reaching the surface.
Glabridin slows the enzyme pigment cells use to build melanin, which means less excess pigment reaches the surface.

What it does

Licorice root slows how much excess pigment your skin produces and calms irritated skin, which makes it especially useful when dark marks and redness show up together. Expect redness and stinging to settle first and dark spots to fade gradually after that. It is gentle enough for reactive skin and works alongside other brightening ingredients. Daily use, with sunscreen every morning, is what gives you results.

What a dark spot actually is

Your skin makes pigment, called melanin, as a defense system. Pigment cells sit at the base of the top layer of your skin and pass melanin up to the surface cells around them. Sun, heat, hormones and inflammation all tell pigment cells to make more. When one group of cells keeps producing more than its neighbors, you see a dark spot or a patch of uneven tone, which also makes skin look duller, because light reflects unevenly off it. That extra melanin is what we mean by excess pigment.

Inflammation is one of the root causes of aging skin, and it is why breakouts come up red and sore. Inflammation is also what can make rosacea look flushed. Irritated cells release chemical messengers that widen small blood vessels near the surface, which is the redness you see. Some of the same messengers prompt nearby pigment cells to make more melanin, which is why a breakout can leave a dark mark long after it has healed. Deeper skin pigments much easier, which is why these marks are more common on deeper skin tones. Licorice calms inflammation while it works on excess pigment, which makes it a good option for deeper skin.

How licorice root works

On excess pigment. Pigment cells build melanin with an enzyme called tyrosinase. Glabridin, the main active compound in licorice root extract, slows tyrosinase down, which means the overactive cells make less melanin. In laboratory research it did this without harming the cells. Liquiritin, another licorice compound, helps disperse melanin that has already formed so it sits more evenly instead of piling up in one patch.

On redness and irritation. Dipotassium glycyrrhizate and glycyrrhetinic acid calm the inflammation your skin produces when it is irritated, and glabridin showed anti-inflammatory activity in the laboratory too. For you, that means less redness and stinging, and fewer of the signals that tell pigment cells to make more melanin.

Where licorice root comes from

Licorice is a plant in the pea family. The species used most in skincare, Glycyrrhiza glabra, grows across southern Europe and western Asia, and skincare uses its root. The root holds glabridin and liquiritin, along with glycyrrhizin, the compound that gives licorice its sweet taste.

Dipotassium glycyrrhizate and glycyrrhetinic acid are made from glycyrrhizin. A related species, Glycyrrhiza inflata, supplies licochalcone A, another calming compound.

Two skin cross-sections: inflammation messengers driving a pigment cell to form a dark patch, and a calmer version with even tone.
Inflammation prompts pigment cells to make more melanin. Calming it means fewer signals reach the cells that leave dark marks.

What the research shows

In laboratory research, glabridin slowed melanin production in pigment cells, and on animal skin it reduced the darkening and redness that followed UV exposure.

The studies in people are small. In one, 20 women with melasma used a liquiritin cream on one side of the face and a plain cream on the other for four weeks. Most liquiritin sides responded well, and the plain sides did not. In another, 90 people with melasma used one of three pigment creams for eight weeks, and most of those using liquiritin improved. A systematic review found licorice compounds promising for pigment, while noting the trials are few and short.

On redness, a Glycyrrhiza inflata extract reduced redness after controlled UV exposure in 12 volunteers. In 24 people with mild rosacea, a glycyrrhetinic acid cream reduced redness within ten days, compared with the same cream without it.

What to look for on a label

The names it goes by

Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract and glabridin are there mostly for excess pigment, although the root extract does a little of both jobs. Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, glycyrrhetinic acid and licochalcone A are there mostly to calm redness. Choose by your main concern.

Where it sits in your routine

A licorice serum goes on after cleansing and before your moisturizer. If yours is in a cream, that is your moisturizer step. Cleansers do a weaker version of what serums do, because they are rinsed off, which makes a licorice cleanser a small bonus rather than where your licorice should be coming from.

What works best with licorice root

Licorice compounds do not exfoliate, which means licorice works alongside retinoids and exfoliating acids without adding exfoliation of its own. It pairs especially well with ingredients that reach pigment at a different stage. Glabridin slows how much melanin your pigment cells make, while niacinamide reduces how much of it is passed up to your surface cells. Vitamin C neutralizes the unstable molecules sun creates in your skin and also slows pigment production.

Sunscreen every morning, reapplied through the day. UV is one of the strongest triggers of excess pigment, and licorice does not block it.

Common questions

Will licorice help my melasma?

Yes, it can help as part of a fuller routine, and the two small trials described in What the research shows are a promising start. One hot summer can bring much of your melasma back, even if you wear sunscreen every day, because heat darkens it too. Licorice is gentle enough to use all year, which suits a concern that needs steady care.

Does eating licorice do the same thing?

No. We have not found research showing that eating licorice or drinking licorice tea fades dark spots. The licorice compounds in skincare have to be applied topically to reach the pigment cells in your skin. Large amounts of licorice by mouth can also raise blood pressure, which makes supplements and teas a question for your doctor.

How soon will I see something?

Redness often looks calmer within two to four weeks of daily use. Dark spots usually take eight to twelve weeks to fade visibly, and older marks can take three to six months. Around week four is when many people decide nothing is changing, and that is the time to keep going without changing anything.

Is it safe in pregnancy?

There is no research on topical licorice in pregnancy, which is true of almost every skincare ingredient, because they are not tested on pregnant people. For pigment, azelaic acid and mandelic acid are commonly used in pregnancy, vitamin C and niacinamide are generally considered safe, and most retinoids are avoided. Check with your OB or midwife before starting anything new.

A licorice plant with a long golden root and arrows leading from the root to three small vials in teal, blush and coral.
One root holds several useful compounds. Glabridin and liquiritin work on pigment, and glycyrrhizin is the source of calming ingredients.

How to use it

  • Use licorice once or twice a day, every day. Consistent use is what fades dark spots, and using it only from time to time will not.
  • For a mark from an occasional breakout, applying licorice only to that mark is fine. For frequent breakouts, widespread marks, sun spots or melasma, apply it across the whole area.
  • Introduce one new product at a time, about two weeks apart, which tells you which product is responsible if your skin reacts.
  • Photograph your skin in the same spot, in natural daylight, every four weeks. Gradual fading is easy to miss in the mirror.
  • Broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning, reapplied through the day.
Evidence and sources
  • Yokota T, Nishio H, Kubota Y, Mizoguchi M. The inhibitory effect of glabridin from licorice extracts on melanogenesis and inflammation. Pigment Cell Research, 1998;11(6):355-361. Pigment cell and guinea pig study: glabridin slowed tyrosinase without affecting cell growth, reduced UVB darkening and redness, and showed anti-inflammatory activity. Read the study
  • Amer M, Metwalli M. Topical liquiritin improves melasma. International Journal of Dermatology, 2000;39(4):299-301. Split-face, vehicle-controlled trial in 20 women with epidermal melasma, twice daily for four weeks. Read the study
  • Zubair S, Mujtaba G. Comparison of efficacy of topical 2% liquiritin, topical 4% liquiritin and topical 4% hydroquinone in the management of melasma. Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists, 2009;19(3):158-163. 90 people with melasma, three groups, eight weeks of use. Read the study
  • Hollinger JC, Angra K, Halder RM. Are natural ingredients effective in the management of hyperpigmentation? A systematic review. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2018;11(2):28-37. Summarizes the glabridin and liquiritin research and notes the trials are few and short. Read the review
  • Kolbe L, Immeyer J, et al. Anti-inflammatory efficacy of Licochalcone A: correlation of clinical potency and in vitro effects. Archives of Dermatological Research, 2006;298(1):23-30. Laboratory work plus a vehicle-controlled UV redness test in 12 volunteers using a licochalcone A-rich Glycyrrhiza inflata extract. Read the study
  • Cameli N, Mariano M, Zanniello R, Berardesca E. Clinical and non-invasive instrumental evaluation of the efficacy of a non-steroid anti-inflammatory 18-beta glycyrrhetinic acid cream for the treatment of erythema in rosacea. Dermatologic Therapy, 2020;e14224. 24 people with mild rosacea, cream compared with the same cream without glycyrrhetinic acid. Read the study
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. Final report on the safety assessment of glycyrrhetinic acid, potassium glycyrrhetinate, disodium succinoyl glycyrrhetinate, glyceryl glycyrrhetinate, glycyrrhetinyl stearate, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, glycyrrhizic acid, ammonium glycyrrhizate, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, disodium glycyrrhizate, trisodium glycyrrhizate, methyl glycyrrhizate, and potassium glycyrrhizinate. International Journal of Toxicology, 2007;26(Suppl 2):79-112. Safe as used in cosmetics; not irritating, sensitizing or phototoxic at the concentrations used. Read the review
  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Licorice Root: Usefulness and Safety. Fact sheet, last updated April 2025. Safety of licorice taken by mouth, including blood pressure. Read the fact sheet

A note on the evidence. The way glabridin slows pigment production is well described in the laboratory. The studies in people are small and short, between 12 and 90 people, and at least one was run by researchers working for a company with an interest in the ingredient. They show what those formulas did, which is a real result and not the same as years of data. The timelines in the Common questions section are general guidance rather than results from a licorice trial.

Products with Licorice Root

  • SkinBetter Science

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    If you want to start an effective anti-aging routine but don’t know where to begin, the SkinBetter A-Team Duo Kit is the perfect place to start. These two powerhouse basics help maintain skin health and repair damage, and even our most reactive clients love them. Our clients always tell us they see a noticeable difference in just a few weeks, which is why we recommend this kit so often.

    Laziza SFounder & Head Esthetician

    Comprehensive Antioxidant & Retinoid Power

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    Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum

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    AlphaRet Overnight Cream

    Winner of 16 industry awards, AlphaRet merges a potent retinoid with lactic acid for exceptional renewal benefits with minimal irritation. In as little as four weeks, it visibly softens wrinkles, smooths uneven texture, and improves clarity, while added hydration counters the dryness often associated with retinoid use.

    A Powerful Start to a Professional Regimen

    Together, these two products create a streamlined AM/PM routine that helps protect by day and repair by night. Apply Alto Advanced under sunscreen each morning, and layer AlphaRet over it at night. Regular use leaves skin looking smoother, firmer, and more even-toned, making the A-Team Duo Kit a good starting point if you want a clinically proven routine for visible aging.

  • SkinBetter Science

    Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum

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    Antioxidant-rich serum that defends against oxidative stress and improves tone and texture.

    If you’re struggling with redness, dullness, or uneven tone, Alto Advanced is hands-down one of the best antioxidant serums out there. It’s packed with powerful antioxidants that protect your skin from daily damage while helping it look brighter, calmer, and healthier. Our clients love how quickly their skin feels more resilient and radiant when they add this into their routine.

    Laziza SFounder & Head Esthetician

    Intensive Antioxidant Power for Visible Skin Renewal

    SkinBetter Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum delivers a dual-defense approach, protecting skin from external environmental aggressors and internal oxidative stress. Packed with 19 antioxidants, this serum shields against free radicals and pollution while boosting the skin's natural renewal process. Apply one pump to clean, dry skin as your first serum after your hydrator, morning and night.

    Comprehensive Protection Inside and Out

    This formula combines vitamins C and E with advanced proprietary blends and rare botanical extracts. The result is a broad-spectrum defense system that helps prevent premature aging from daily environmental exposure while targeting internal oxidative stress. Allyl PQQ, a patented antioxidant technology, neutralizes free radicals from the body's natural processes.

    Soothing, Hydrating, and Restorative

    Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum is enriched with bisabolol and ginger root extract to visibly reduce redness and restore comfort. Niacinamide, licorice extract, and peptides work together to improve hydration, brighten dull areas, and support firmer-looking skin. Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, also supports collagen production and skin radiance.

    Daily Defense for Long-Term Results

    Designed for both morning and evening application, this serum is a must-have for anyone looking to protect their skin from the visible signs of aging while actively improving its tone and texture. With consistent use, skin looks brighter, feels stronger, and is better equipped to handle the stresses of modern life.

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    Alto Defense Serum

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    Broad antioxidant protection to brighten skin, calm redness, and shield against environmental damage.

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    Advanced Antioxidant Protection for Healthy, Radiant Skin

    SkinBetter Alto Defense Serum is a daily antioxidant powerhouse that helps shield skin from the visible effects of environmental stress. Packed with a proprietary blend of Vitamins C and E plus 17 additional antioxidants, it works to defend against oxidative damage caused by sun exposure, pollution, and other daily aggressors.

    Boosts Clarity and Radiance

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    Soothes and Strengthens the Skin

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  • Anfisa

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    Clearer, Calmer, More Even Skin

    AN-DEW is a powerful yet gentle serum featuring 10% azelaic acid and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) to reduce redness, refine texture, and even skin tone. It is designed to help with breakouts, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and skin sensitivity, making it a versatile solution for clearer, healthier-looking skin. It also helps with congestion and excess oil, and it is pregnancy-safe.

    Dual-Action Formula for Results Without Irritation

    Azelaic acid calms inflammation and fades discoloration, while PHAs provide mild, gentle exfoliation. This combination helps unclog pores, smooth roughness, and support cell renewal, all while maintaining a strong skin barrier. Hexylresorcinol adds brightening and antioxidant support, and gluconolactone, a PHA, hydrates as it exfoliates, which suits sensitive or reactive skin.

    Ideal for Sensitive and Acne-Prone Skin

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  • Face Reality

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    4.9 out of 5.0 stars

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    It is normal for acne sufferers to have sticky dead cells which prevent product penetration and create congestion when they get trapped in pores mixed with oils.

    Face Reality Antioxidant Scrub is great for any type of non-inflamed acne, congestion, and/or heavy dead cell build-up on the surface (we do not want to scrub inflammation). We also recommend this scrub to clients who cannot use AHA/BHAs.

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    Gentle Daily Exfoliation, Powered by Antioxidants

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  • Hale & Hush

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    5.0 out of 5.0 stars

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    Barrier-friendly acne wash for reactive skin, breakouts, redness, and congestion.

    Hale & Hush Clarify Wash works really well for clients who are acne-prone but also reactive or easily irritated. For oilier or more congested skin, we often recommend using it as a dry cleanse on areas with congestion or texture by applying it onto dry skin first and massaging it in for 20 to 30 seconds before adding water and spreading the cleanser around. This gives the acids more time to focus on those areas before being diluted with water.

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    Deep Cleans Pores and Controls Excess Oil

    Oily and acne-prone skin benefits from a cleanser that removes not just surface dirt and makeup but the excess sebum and debris inside pores. Clarify Wash does this with mandelic acid, which penetrates the pore lining to loosen trapped oil and dead skin cells, and gentle surfactants that lift them away without over-stripping. With twice-daily use, breakouts become less frequent.

    Exfoliates and Smooths Texture With Every Wash

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    For oily and acne-prone skin, discoloration is often the most persistent concern, since breakouts can leave marks behind. Clarify Wash helps interrupt this cycle at the cleansing step, delivering mandelic acid and stable vitamin C that work together to fade existing marks and help prevent new ones. With regular use, skin becomes progressively brighter and more even.

    Active But Gentle on the Skin Barrier

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  • GlyMed

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    4.9 out of 5.0 stars

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    A soothing, aloe-rich cream that calms irritation and hydrates post-procedure or sensitive skin.

    Comfort Cream has been one of our top recommendations for years. It’s acne-safe, deeply soothing, and ideal for calming the skin after actives or procedures. It gives just the right amount of moisture without clogging pores, apply as the last step in your routine.

    Laziza SFounder & Head Esthetician

    Instantly Calm Irritated or Stressed Skin

    Comfort Cream with Aloe Vera is formulated to deliver immediate relief to stressed, inflamed, or post-procedure skin. It is powered by ultra-pure, 200% concentrated Aloe Vera extract to soothe discomfort and support healing without clogging pores. Use it in place of your moisturizer, morning or night, whenever your skin needs extra calm.

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    Whether you have had extractions, waxing, permanent makeup, or just too much sun, Comfort Cream steps in to reduce redness and irritation. It is gentle enough for daily use, yet powerful enough to support recovery after professional procedures or exfoliation. It is also acne-safe, giving just the right amount of moisture without clogging pores.

    Botanical Relief Meets Barrier Support

    This formula is all about calming irritation while keeping the skin comfortable and balanced. It helps reduce redness, supports repair when your barrier feels compromised, and leaves the skin soft, hydrated, and refreshed without heaviness. Allantoin smooths and soothes, while licorice root brings calming, anti-inflammatory benefits alongside the aloe.

    Made for Reactive or Recovering Skin

    Use Comfort Cream as a daily moisturizer for sensitive or dry skin, or apply it after procedures to support recovery and minimize visible irritation. It absorbs smoothly and leaves the skin feeling soft, nourished, and instantly more at ease. Allantoin and licorice root add calming, smoothing support alongside the aloe.

  • GlyMed

    Diamond Bright Skin Illuminator

    5.0 out of 5.0 stars

    $82.00

    An advanced brightener that targets stubborn discoloration and dark spots for radiant, even-toned skin.

    If you’re struggling with dark spots, melasma, or uneven tone, Diamond Bright is such an exciting option. It targets only the damaged pigment cells, so it brightens safely without irritating the skin. Our clients love how much more even, clear, and radiant their skin looks with continued use.

    Laziza SFounder & Head Esthetician

    Visibly Brighten Skin and Fade Discoloration

    Diamond Bright Skin Illuminator targets hyperpigmentation with advanced technology designed to even out skin tone and reduce dark spots. Using intelligent peptide delivery, it focuses on overactive pigment-producing cells while leaving healthy skin untouched, revealing a clearer, brighter complexion over time. It suits all skin types, so it can fit into most routines as a dedicated brightening step.

    Precision-Formulated to Target Melanocytes

    Diamond Bright uses drone peptide technology to pinpoint damaged melanocytes, the pigment cells at the root of uneven tone, without affecting the rest of your skin. It is well suited to anyone dealing with sun spots, melasma, or post-inflammatory pigmentation. Oligopeptide-51 is the peptide that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven tone.

    A Blend of Smart Ingredients That Do More

    This formula combines lactic acid and vitamin C derivatives with skin-supportive peptides and antioxidant-rich plant extracts like licorice, green tea, and mulberry leaf. Together, they help fade discoloration, smooth texture, and defend against environmental damage for lasting clarity. Gamma polyglutamic acid, a humectant that attracts and holds moisture, helps plump the skin and soften the look of fine lines.

    Lightweight and Easy to Layer

    Diamond Bright absorbs quickly and fits easily into your routine, working well under moisturizers or sunscreen. With continued use, expect a noticeable boost in skin tone uniformity, brightness, and radiance, without added irritation. Apply it to the face, neck, and dΓ©colletΓ© after cleansing, morning and night, then follow with your other serums and moisturizer.

  • Pavise

    Dynamic Age Defense SPF 30

    4.7 out of 5.0 stars

    From $52.00

    Multi-tasking mineral SPF that protects, hydrates and improves skin tone.

    This SPF lasts 8 hours!!! MIT Tested it, I tested it and it's true. I use 2 pumps on the face. We recommend Dynamic Age Defense to all our clients after I tested it for a year myself! It regenerates skin, fades stubborn discoloration, reduces acne, helps calm redness while supporting overall skin repair for anti-aging. As a bonus it also tackles fine lines and excess oil, leaving your skin looking smooth, radiant, and refreshed. It's truly a game changer!

    Laziza SFounder & Head Esthetician

    Daily Defense with a Boost

    Pavise Dynamic Age Defense shields your skin with reef-safe DiamondCore zinc oxide while delivering antioxidant-rich protection that actively combats signs of aging. It works double duty to block UVA/UVB rays and support smoother, healthier-looking skin over time. The formula also calms inflammation, making it a trusted choice for stressed or sensitive skin.

    Invisible, Universal Coverage

    This silky, sheer formula blends seamlessly across all skin tones without a white cast. Lightweight and breathable, it layers well under makeup or other skincare without piling or residue. The hydrating finish leaves skin looking smooth and naturally radiant, with no greasy feel. Massage two pumps into the face and one into the neck and dΓ©colletage.

    Technology Meets Skin Longevity

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    Ideal for Everyday Use

    Pavise Dynamic Age Defense is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive or acne-prone skin. The non-comedogenic, fragrance-free formula supports barrier strength and reduces oxidative stress with every application. It is an effortless daily step toward smoother, healthier, and more resilient skin. Tranexamic acid and licorice root also help even out tone and soothe visible redness.

  • Face Reality

    HydraRemedy Gel Serum

    4.9 out of 5.0 stars

    $46.00

    Hydrating serum that strengthens the barrier and reduces inflammation and PIE, especially for dry skin.

    If you’re dealing with PIE from acne, very dry skin, or reactive redness, HydraRemedy is such a great fit. πŸ’™ It’s the next step up if HydraBalance isn’t giving you quite enough hydration. We love it as a first serum before layering other actives, and it contains one of our favorite ingredients, Beta Glucan, which helps activate the skin’s healing process for deep repair and soothing hydration.

    Laziza SFounder & Head Esthetician

    Instant Relief for Dry, Irritated Skin

    The Face Reality HydraRemedy Gel Serum is a water-light hydrator formulated to deliver deep moisture and calm irritation fast. Whether your skin is dehydrated from acne products or reacting to environmental stress, this serum helps restore balance and comfort without clogging pores. Beta glucan, one of its key ingredients, brings soothing, hydrating, and barrier-strengthening support.

    Supports Barrier Repair and Recovery

    This gentle formula is packed with skin-repairing ingredients like sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, and beta-glucan. It soothes redness, reduces tightness, and reinforces the skin barrier, making it ideal for use alongside actives like benzoyl peroxide or exfoliating acids. Ceramides help retain moisture and protect against environmental stressors, and the formula helps calm the look of post-acne redness (PIE).

    Perfect for All Skin Types

    Oil-free and non-comedogenic, HydraRemedy is suitable for oily, dry, or combination skin, even those prone to sensitivity. It layers easily under moisturizers or SPF and absorbs quickly without stickiness, making it a seamless addition to both morning and evening routines. Use one to two pumps after toning, or after serums such as Mandelic or GlowTone.

    Ideal for Flare-Ups, Post-Procedure, or Everyday Use

    Whether you are navigating a seasonal skin shift, recovering from a professional procedure, or just looking for a boost of hydration, this serum delivers immediate comfort and long-term support. Skin feels smoother, softer, and more resilient with every use. During flare-ups or very dry spells, layer an extra pump for more hydration, morning or night.

  • SkinBetter Science

    Solo Hydrating Defense MEN

    5.0 out of 5.0 stars

    $180.00

    Once-daily moisturizer with antioxidants designed to reduce oil and protect men’s skin.

    Our male clients love Solo Hydrating Defense MEN because it’s simple, just once a day in the morning. It helps keep oil and skin tone balanced while preventing ingrown hairs, and the antioxidants and peptides make it a powerful anti-aging step. It’s especially great post-shave for repairing the barrier, and you can add it at night with AlphaRet for extra anti-aging.

    Laziza SFounder & Head Esthetician

    Daily Defense for Men’s Skin

    Solo Hydrating Defense MEN is designed specifically for the unique needs of male skin, delivering a powerful blend of antioxidants, hydrators, and skin-supporting ingredients. This once-daily formula helps protect against environmental stressors like sun, pollution, and blue light while supporting a healthier, more resilient complexion.

    Improves Skin Tone and Texture

    With consistent use, this lightweight, fast-absorbing formula helps refine skin texture, minimize visible pores, and improve skin tone. It also reduces surface oiliness for a fresher, more balanced look, ideal for men who want a polished appearance without unwanted shine. Licorice root adds brightening and soothing benefits to the mix.

    Hydration Without Heaviness

    Formulated to keep skin hydrated and calm, even post-shave, this cream absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. Soothing plant extracts help maintain comfort, while water-binding ingredients provide lasting moisture throughout the day. Ceramides help retain moisture and strengthen the skin barrier, and grape seed extract helps soothe inflammation.

    Clinically Tested Performance

    Solo Hydrating Defense MEN has been clinically tested across diverse skin types and tones, proving effective at reducing redness, balancing oil production, and improving the appearance of stressed, fatigued skin. It is an ideal one-step solution for men seeking visible results with minimal effort. Apply it in the morning after cleansing, or twice a day if you prefer.

  • Face Reality

    Soothing Radiance Toner

    5.0 out of 5.0 stars

    $32.00

    Soothing toner that hydrates and calms redness for balanced, radiant skin.

    It smells like fresh cucumber and feels amazing on the skin, calming, soothing, and lightweight. I use it all over after removing makeup, even around the eyes (cleansing my lashes with it made such a difference πŸ‘€). It also replaced my morning cleanser, just a gentle swipe to refresh without stripping. πŸ’§

    Laziza SFounder & Head Esthetician

    Calm and Glow in One Step

    Face Reality Soothing Radiance Toner is a hydrating, calming, and brightening toner designed to rebalance the skin while reducing visible redness. It is a lovely daily addition for those with sensitive or reactive skin who also want a subtle, healthy, long-lasting glow. Licorice and tiger grass provide immediate comfort and help minimize the look of redness.

    Supports Skin Barrier and Brightens Tone

    Packed with antioxidants, nourishing plant extracts, and niacinamide, this toner helps reinforce the skin barrier, brighten uneven tone, and reduce the appearance of redness over time while keeping sensitive skin comfortable. Green tea and knotweed deliver antioxidant protection against environmental damage, and cucumber extract nourishes and hydrates to improve moisture retention with a subtle, refreshing aroma.

    Ideal for Dry, Sensitive, or Redness-Prone Skin

    This toner is made for skin that feels tight, looks blotchy, or overreacts to typical products. Whether you are dealing with barrier sensitivity or simply need a gentle reset, Soothing Radiance Toner helps soften, soothe, and refresh the skin. It is also pregnancy safe and suits all skin types, including sensitive skin.

    A Gentle Touch That Works Daily

    Use it after cleansing to prep the skin and set the tone for the rest of your routine. Sweep it over the skin with a cotton pad or clean fingertips, bridging the gap between cleansing and the serums that follow. It layers easily under actives and hydrators and brings balance to both acne-prone and sensitive skin types throughout the day.

  • SkinBetter A-Team Duo Kit
    5.0 out of 5.0 stars
    $185.00

    SkinBetter Science

    A-Team Duo Kit 5.0 out of 5.0 stars

    $185.00

    Brightens, repairs, and rejuvenates with antioxidant and retinoid power for stronger, clearer skin.

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  • Face Reality Antioxidant Scrub
    4.9 out of 5.0 stars
    $34.00

    Face Reality

    Antioxidant Scrub 4.9 out of 5.0 stars

    $34.00

    Clears dead skin buildup and congestion, ideal for non-inflamed acne or AHA/BHA-sensitive skin.

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  • GlyMed Comfort Cream
    4.9 out of 5.0 stars
    $45.00

    GlyMed

    Comfort Cream 4.9 out of 5.0 stars

    $45.00

    A soothing, aloe-rich cream that calms irritation and hydrates post-procedure or sensitive skin.

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  • Face Reality HydraRemedy Gel Serum
    4.9 out of 5.0 stars
    $46.00

    Face Reality

    HydraRemedy Gel Serum 4.9 out of 5.0 stars

    $46.00

    Hydrating serum that strengthens the barrier and reduces inflammation and PIE, especially for dry skin.

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Bisabolol for Calming Redness and Irritation

Bisabolol is the calming compound first found in chamomile, and it quiets the inflammation behind redness, stinging and itch. Here is how it works, who it suits and how to use it.

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Centella for Redness and Reactive Skin

Centella calms inflammation, helps skin hold on to water and supports repair after irritation. Here is what the research shows, what cica means on a label and how to use it.

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