Picking out pregnancy-safe skincare can seem complicated. I have an entire page on pregnancy beauty, dedicated to which skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or IVF.
Today is about licorice and pregnancy.
There is a general consensus that oral licorice is contraindicated in pregnancy.
As for use as a topical agent in skin care products, it sees acceptance or disapproval depending on which resource you refer to.
Previous blog posts have dealt with similar contentious topics like:
Is willow bark in skincare products pregnancy & lactation safe?
– A: Yes, it is.
Is topical salicylic acid safe in pregnancy & lactation?
– A: Yes, but with certain caveats.
Is bakuchiol (plant-based retinol alternative) pregnancy & lactation safe?
– A: No, it is not.
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What is licorice?
Licorice is the root of the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is commonly used in traditional systems of medicine as a remedy for ailments like acidity, cough, viral infections, etc. However, if you’re wondering, ‘Is licorice root safe for pregnancy?’ or ‘Is licorice root safe for breastfeeding?’ it’s essential to consider its safety profile during these periods.
The Sanskrit name is ‘Yashti-madhu,’ which literally means ‘sweet root’ and is used as a natural sweetener in edibles like candy, chewing gum, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, etc.
In what type of products is it found?
It is found as a:
- Food sweetener.
- Health supplement.
- In skincare.
The label might read:
- Licorice
- Licorice root
- Glycyrrhiza
- Glycyrrhizin
- Glycyrrhizinate dipotassium
- Glycyrrhetinic acid
- Glabridin
- Sweetroot etc.
Licorice is used as a natural food sweetener in candies, alcohol and nonalcoholic beverages, teas, ice creams, chewing gum, cookies, etc.
It is also commonly sold in supermarkets as a health or herbal supplement for acidity, cough, viral infections, hot flushes, etc.
It requires no prescription, is USFDA approved and derives its popularity from a belief that being natural, it is harmless and can be consumed liberally.
However, not everything natural is good for you, and the supplement market is not just unregulated, but you might not actually need them in the first place: Nutritional Supplements or a Sucker’s Delight?
If you are a consumer, be aware that the excess or chronic use of oral licorice has been linked to hypertension and electrolyte disturbances, and begets caution if you are over 40 with a history of heart disease, hypertension, or both.
In skincare, it is used as an antioxidant, skin brightener, and to fade hyperpigmentation marks. Due to its beneficial property, it is often combined with other skin actives like vitamin c, azelaic acid, and niacinamide- all of which are safe to use in pregnancy.
The problem with licorice consumption in pregnancy.
Oral licorice is contraindicated in pregnancy.
Issues arising from its consumption when pregnant have been well documented. Studies have shown that children exposed to it in-utero had multiple issues:
- Earlier delivery than non-exposed babies.
- Lower score on intelligence & memory tests.
- Behavioral problems (poor attention, aggression, rule-breaking)
- Early puberty in girls that has been linked with depression, hormone-sensitive cancers, adult obesity, and cardiometabolic disorders.
A possible mechanism of these dysfunctions could be that the glycyrrhizin in licorice potentiates the effects of the stress hormone cortisol as it inhibits the enzyme that inactivates cortisol. While cortisol is essential to the development of a fetus, in large amounts, it is damaging.
It is important to note that, as yet, there is no defined safe exposure limit in human pregnancy, as the deleterious effects have been shown to show a linear correlation (i.e., two factors change together at a constant rate; e.g., the more salt you put in your food, the saltier it gets).
However, in small amounts, it is believed to be safe.
Is licorice consumption safe while breastfeeding?
Licorice is a herbal medicine in certain traditional medicine systems and is touted to increase maternal milk production.
This still needs to be verified by scientific clinical trials.
As a matter of fact, chronic consumption of licorice has been shown to reduce prolactin levels which can reduce milk secretion.
Chronic excess use of licorice has been shown to increase blood pressure, disturb the electrolyte balance of the body, and cause abnormalities in sex hormones in the body of the consumer.
Due to the above reasons, the National Institute of Health considers that oral licorice should probably be avoided while breastfeeding.
Is licorice in skincare pregnancy safe?
While oral licorice is unquestionably unsafe for use while pregnant, its use in skincare products has different opinions.
We do not have any data, as it is unethical to experiment on pregnant women.
The data on oral licorice that we have is due to its traditional and common use as a popular snack in some countries like Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, etc.
The amount found in skin care products is low, and as of yet, it has not proven to be unsafe…or safe, for that matter.
The support in favor of NOT using licorice in skincare is manifold:
- It is not an essential ‘medicine,’
- Other pregnancy-safe ingredients like vitamin c and azelaic acid can duplicate the beneficial effects of it on the skin.
- Pregnancy is an important and major milestone of your life that may last only for 9 months but comes with a long-term commitment. It is best to steer clear of any chemical that comes with uncertainty about its safety.
It is always advisable to err on the side of caution and avoid skincare products containing licorice while pregnant.
To reiterate, the label on the product bottle might read:
- Licorice
- Licorice root
- Glycyrrhiza
- Glycyrrhiza glabra
- Glycyrrhizin
- Glycyrrhizinate dipotassium
- Glycyrrhetinic acid
- Glabridin
- Sweetroot etc.
Is licorice in skincare safe for breastfeeding?
As with licorice use, while pregnant, we have no data about its use while breastfeeding.
We do not know how much of it gets excreted in breast milk, but generally speaking, very little of a product, if any, applied on the skin reaches the breast milk.
It might be safe to use skincare products containing licorice while breastfeeding.
However, consult with your treating physician first, and make sure your baby does not accidentally ingest the product (e.g., giving you sloppy kisses when you have just lathered a cream on your face).
Do not use it if you have doubts and are uncertain.
Remember that there are other options in place of licorice for the management of hyperpigmentation while pregnant:
Pregnancy Safe Melasma & Hyperpigmentation Treatment.
Top 10 Pregnancy & Lactation Safe Sunscreens For Melasma & Hyperpigmentation.
Takeaway
- Licorice is commonly used as a natural sweetener, a herbal supplement, and in skin care for hyperpigmentation.
- Consumption of licorice during pregnancy has been associated with early delivery, cognitive and behavioral issues, and early puberty onset in girls.
- The NIH does not recommend consumption during breastfeeding.
- It is advisable to refrain from using licorice-based skincare during pregnancy.
- While breastfeeding, using licorice-based skincare might be okay.
