1. Product Overview
glabridin-59870-68-7 is the most potent natural skin-brightening active extracted from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. licorice root, known globally as whitening gold in cosmetics. TAIMA supplies premium glabridin-59870-68-7 powder at ≥98% HPLC purity with full analytical documentation.
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| Parameter | Specification |
| Product Name | Glabridin |
| CAS Number | 59870-68-7 |
| EINECS Number | 611-908-7 |
| Molecular Formula | C₂₀H₂₀O₄ |
| Molecular Weight | 324.37 g/mol |
| Botanical Source | Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Licorice Root) |
| Chemical Class | Isoflavonoid / Hydroxyisoflavan |
| Synonyms | Glabridine; (R)-4-(3,4-Dihydro-8,8-dimethyl-2H,8H-benzo[1,2-b:3,4-b’]dipyran-3-yl)-1,3-benzenediol |
| MDL Number | MFCD03427694 |
| FDA UNII | HOC5567T41 |
| HS Code | 29329990 |
2. Physicochemical Properties
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| Property | Value |
| Appearance | White to light brown powder |
| Melting Point | 154–155 °C |
| Boiling Point | 518.6 ± 50.0 °C (Predicted) |
| Density | 1.257 ± 0.06 g/cm³ (Predicted) |
| Flash Point | 267 °C |
| LogP | 4.260 (estimated) |
| pKa | 9.66 ± 0.40 (Predicted) |
| Storage Temperature | Room temperature |
| Stability | Hygroscopic; store in sealed container |
3. Solubility Profile
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| Solvent | Solubility |
| DMSO | Soluble ≥5 mg/mL (clear, warmed) |
| Ethanol | Freely soluble |
| Propylene Glycol | Soluble |
| 1,3-Butanediol | Soluble |
| Water | Practically insoluble |
4. Technical Specifications (TAIMA Standard)
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| Parameter | Specification |
| Assay (HPLC) | ≥98.0% |
| Appearance | White to light brown fine powder |
| Odor | Characteristic |
| Loss on Drying | ≤5.0% |
| Heavy Metals | ≤10 ppm |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤2 ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤1 ppm |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤0.5 ppm |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤1 ppm |
| Total Plate Count | ≤1,000 CFU/g |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤100 CFU/g |
| E. coli | Negative |
| Salmonella | Negative |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Negative |
| Particle Size | 95% through 80 mesh |
| Shelf Life | 24 months (properly stored) |
5. Efficacy & Applications
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Glabridin’s multi-target bioactivities position it as one of the most versatile natural active ingredients in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations:
6.1 Skin Brightening / Whitening
Glabridin is a potent, reversible tyrosinase inhibitor, blocking both monophenolase and diphenolase activities with an IC50 of approximately 0.43 µM. It outperforms common skin-lightening agents including kojic acid (16× more potent) and arbutin. Unlike hydroquinone, Glabridin does not cause permanent depigmentation or cytotoxicity to melanocytes at effective doses. Typical use levels: 0.1%–0.5% in cosmetic formulations.
6.2 Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Glabridin suppresses COX-2 expression and prostaglandin synthesis, inhibits NF-κB activation, and downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). It also reduces iNOS expression, making it highly effective for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and sensitive skin conditions.
6.3 Antioxidant Protection
As a potent free radical scavenger, Glabridin protects cell membranes from lipid peroxidation and reduces UV-induced oxidative stress. Its antioxidant activity complements its skin-brightening effects by inhibiting UV-triggered melanogenesis pathways. Glabridin’s radical-scavenging capacity is comparable to vitamin E.
6.4 Anti-Aging Benefits
Glabridin protects against UVB-induced photoaging by reducing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and preserving collagen integrity. Combined with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Glabridin provides comprehensive anti-aging support in serums, creams, and sun care products.
6.5 Antimicrobial & Additional Benefits
Glabridin demonstrates antimicrobial activity against various pathogens and has been studied for hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and metabolic health benefits in nutraceutical applications. It also shows potential in hair care formulations for scalp health and anti-dandruff products.
6.6 Application Matrix
| Category | Product Types | Recommended Level |
| Skin Brightening | Spot correctors, brightening serums, whitening creams, BB/CC creams | 0.1–0.5% |
| Anti-Aging | Anti-aging serums, eye creams, night repair treatments | 0.1–0.3% |
| Sun Care | Sunscreens, after-sun lotions, UV protection sprays | 0.1–0.3% |
| Sensitive Skin | Calming creams, post-procedure recovery balms | 0.1–0.2% |
| Anti-Acne | Acne spot treatments, oil-control serums | 0.1–0.3% |
| Hair Care | Anti-dandruff shampoos, scalp serums | 0.05–0.2% |
| Nutraceuticals | Dietary supplements, functional beverages | As per formulation |
7. Glabridin vs. Other Skin-Brightening Agents
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| Agent | Type | Tyrosinase IC50 | Key Features | Limitations |
| Glabridin | Natural (Licorice) | ~0.43 µM | Most potent natural inhibitor; multi-functional (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory); non-cytotoxic | Higher cost; limited water solubility |
| Kojic Acid | Fungal metabolite | ~7.0 µM | Widely used; cost-effective; well-studied | Unstable; potential skin irritation and sensitization; instability in formulations |
| Arbutin (α/β) | Natural/Semi-synthetic | ~5–10 mM (β-arbutin) | Mild; stable; widely accepted; safe profile | Slower action; significantly less potent; requires higher concentrations |
| Hydroquinone | Synthetic | N/A (direct melanocyte toxicity) | Gold standard for efficacy; fast results | Banned/restricted in many countries; cytotoxic; causes ochronosis with long-term use |
| Vitamin C (L-AA) | Natural/Synthetic | N/A (antioxidant mechanism) | Potent antioxidant; stimulates collagen; brightens overall tone | Highly unstable; pH-dependent; irritating at high concentrations |
| Niacinamide | Synthetic (Vitamin B3) | N/A (melanosome transfer inhibition) | Multi-functional; well-tolerated; barrier repair | Moderate efficacy alone; slower visible results |
8. Why Choose TAIMA Glabridin?
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| Advantage | Details |
| Premium Purity | ≥98% HPLC assay guaranteed with comprehensive certificate of analysis (COA) for each batch. |
| Global Certifications | ISO9001:2015, ISO14001:2015, KOSHER, and HALAL certified — compliant with international regulatory requirements. |
| Rigorous Quality Control | Full analytical documentation: HPLC chromatograms, heavy metals testing, microbiological analysis, and residual solvent profiles. |
| Flexible Packaging | Available from 1 kg R&D samples to commercial bulk orders. Custom packaging options upon request. |
| Supply Chain Reliability | Consistent sourcing from premium licorice root with stable year-round supply. Dedicated account management for long-term partnerships. |
| Technical Support | Free formulation guidance, stability data, and regulatory documentation support for your product development needs. |
9. Market Outlook
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The global Glabridin market was valued at approximately USD 50 million in 2024, with projections to reach USD 100 million by 2033, growing at a robust CAGR of 8.5%. Asia-Pacific leads regional demand, driven by the K-beauty and J-beauty markets’ strong consumer preference for natural skin-brightening ingredients.
Key market growth drivers include:
- Rising consumer demand for natural, plant-derived skincare actives over synthetic alternatives
- Increasing clinical evidence validating Glabridin’s multi-target skin benefits
- Advancements in extraction technology (supercritical CO₂, green chemistry) improving yield and purity
- Favorable regulatory landscape favoring natural bioactives in cosmetics (FDA, EFSA, CFDA)
- Expanding applications beyond cosmetics into nutraceuticals, functional foods, and oral care
- Growing clean beauty movement and “skinimalism” trend demanding fewer, more potent ingredients
The licorice extract segment — in which Glabridin is the star active — continues to see double-digit growth in prestige skincare lines globally. As regulatory restrictions on hydroquinone tighten worldwide, Glabridin is positioned as the premier natural replacement in high-end skin-brightening formulations.
