licorice extract?

We looked at licorice extract when we did our research on skin lightening and couldn’t find much data to support that it really works. If you’re concerned about melasma you’re better off with niacinamide or hydroquinone. Licorice extract is supposed to help with redness/irritation but I don’t know the optimal level to use. (The link you shared says 1-7% which seems on the high side.) If you mix it with your moisturizer just before using it, it should be fine but if you pre-mix it it could cause stability problems. 

You guys looked into the same exact thing I did. Lol. I was going to try it out on my friend she has eczema, only if I find some on sale first. I’ll let you know what I come up with. Mostly I just use these oils for diffusion, and memory retention now though. I would avoid Hydroquinone, Not just because of the cancer, but because I also tried on myself. It’s a bit of a skin irritant, EVEN if you do slather youself in sunscreen, and stay out of the sun. And it’s not mean for long term use, so it’s not best to mix into a moisturizure. 

Hey if you’re in the mood to test things like that licorice extract though Sarah, Google Organic Bearberry for the same purpose, And if you try that too, let me know how it works, it’s on my list of “try its” for skin lightening…. Although I don’t think I would notice any diff…. o-O

Check this out, Or if you’re not interested, and just trust me, these are 6 anti-inflammatory essential oils you can get at natural foods store or online. Thyme, clove, rose, eucalyptus, fennel and bergamot.

I typically would rather site the study, but this is really comprehensive, and you can read on  if you want. If you prefer the study postings, I can get that too, just let me know in reply.
http://phys.org/news/2010-01-thyme-oil-inhibit-cox2-suppress.html

I would ALWAYS use ultra pure water on super sensitive skin. Why? because of all the different types of waters, it is what it sounds like. Ultra pure, and the go to for a lot of exps as well when basic clean water is called on in science that is free of contaminants. I say this in case you’re making your cosmetics, Water is like a staple, yet an over looked detail.

NOW onto extracts first be choosy of your method of extraction. Know what oils are being used. and here is an abstract…. I don’t trust them much. BUT. I’m not the one with the schooling yet. So it may be worth checking into. They list more plant and spice based extraction ingredients for inflammatory properties. However it should be noted both of these sites really did not mention whether or not if taken orally or applied topically the healing process takes place, how long, or how often too apply, or how much to use. I suppose it’s a gamble. But that’s the fun of experimenting. Good luck Sarah.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814610003158

Np