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Ammonium Glycyrrhizate

What Ammonium Glycyrrhizate is & what it does

Ammonium Glycyrrhizate is the ammonium salt of glycyrrhizic acid, a compound derived from licorice root. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it is used as a skin-conditioning and soothing agent. It is a water-soluble licorice derivative often chosen for products marketed toward sensitive or easily irritated skin.

What does Ammonium Glycyrrhizate do in skincare?

Ammonium Glycyrrhizate is a licorice root derivative used as a skin-conditioning and soothing agent. It is the ammonium salt of glycyrrhizic acid and is water-soluble, which makes it easy to include in many formulas. It is often chosen for products aimed at sensitive or easily irritated skin.

Is Ammonium Glycyrrhizate safe?

Ammonium Glycyrrhizate is widely used in cosmetics, often specifically for its calming reputation, and is generally considered well tolerated at the levels used. As with any ingredient, sensitive individuals may want to patch test. This is general information, not medical advice.

Is Ammonium Glycyrrhizate natural or synthetic?

Ammonium Glycyrrhizate is nature-derived but processed. The starting glycyrrhizic acid comes from licorice root, and it is then converted into its ammonium salt form. So while the source is botanical, the final ingredient is a refined derivative.

Sunscreens with Ammonium Glycyrrhizate

We rate 16 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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