Below is every ingredient in Licorice & Lactic Acid Body Wash explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin by loosening bonds between corneocytes, promoting cell turnover, and acting as a humectant to improve hydration, texture, and tone. It is commonly used at concentrations ranging from low (hydration) to higher peel-strength formulations.
Salicylic acid is a lipid-soluble beta-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin surface and penetrates sebaceous pores to loosen and dissolve keratin and debris. It is widely used to treat acne, blackheads, and conditions involving thickened or scaly skin.
Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products.
Salix Alba (White Willow) Bark Extract is a botanical source of salicin, which can be converted to salicylic acid, offering mild exfoliating, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties. It is commonly used in formulations targeting acne-prone, oily, or congested skin as a gentler alternative to synthetic salicylic acid.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (licorice) Root Extract is a botanical ingredient containing glycyrrhizin and glabridin, valued for its anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening properties. It is commonly used to calm irritation, reduce redness, and help fade hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase activity.
Chamomilla Recutita (German chamomile) flower extract is a plant-derived ingredient used in skincare for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, attributed to compounds such as bisabolol, chamazulene, and flavonoids. It is commonly added to formulations intended to calm sensitive, irritated, or reddened skin.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin dryness or barrier disruption with excessive contact | Uncommon | Frequent or prolonged exposure to water, especially hot or hard water, can disrupt the skin barrier and contribute to transepidermal water loss. |
| Irritation from impurities or hard water minerals | Rare | Reactions are attributed to contaminants, chlorine, or mineral content rather than water itself. |
| Skin irritation | Uncommon | Generally well tolerated, but mild irritation can occur, particularly with high concentrations or compromised skin barrier. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Documented as a contact allergen in some patch-test studies, occasionally cross-reacting with other alkyl glucosides. |
| Eye irritation | Uncommon | May cause stinging or irritation on direct eye contact, relevant in cleanser and shampoo formulations. |
| Mild skin irritation | Uncommon | Generally well tolerated, but possible with high concentrations or prolonged contact. |
| Dryness or barrier disruption | Rare | Possible with frequent use, though milder than traditional sulfate surfactants. |
| Skin or eye irritation | Uncommon | Mild stinging or irritation, more likely in concentrated or rinse-off products and around the eyes. |
| Cross-reactivity with related surfactants | Rare | Patch-test reactions may overlap with chemically related amphoteric or amine-containing surfactants. |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Uncommon | More likely at high concentrations or on compromised/broken skin. |
| Tacky or sticky skin feel | Common | A cosmetic sensation rather than an adverse reaction, more noticeable at higher concentrations. |
| Contact dermatitis or allergic reaction | Rare | True allergy to glycerin is uncommon; patch-test positivity is infrequent. |
| Skin dehydration in very low humidity | Rare | In very dry environments humectants may draw water from deeper skin layers if not paired with an occlusive. |
| Temporary dryness or tightness | Rare | May occur due to the film-forming effect, especially at higher concentrations. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Water Solvent/vehicle | Water is the most common base ingredient in cosmetic formulations, serving as a solvent that dissolves other ingredients and forms the bulk of emulsions and aqueous solutions. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating. |
| Decyl Glucoside Surfactant/Cleanser | Decyl Glucoside is a mild, non-ionic surfactant derived from glucose and fatty alcohols, commonly used as a gentle cleansing and foaming agent in shampoos, facial cleansers, and baby care products. It is valued for its biodegradability and low irritation potential compared to harsher surfactants. |
| Lauryl Glucoside Surfactant/cleansing agent | Lauryl Glucoside is a non-ionic surfactant derived from coconut/palm fatty alcohols and glucose, used as a mild cleansing and foaming agent in skin and hair care products. It is considered gentle and biodegradable, often replacing harsher anionic surfactants. |
| Cocamidopropyl Betaine Surfactant / foaming cleanser | Cocamidopropyl Betaine is an amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, used in cleansers, shampoos, and body washes to provide gentle foaming, viscosity, and to reduce the harshness of stronger anionic surfactants. It is widely regarded as mild but is a recognized contact allergen. |
| Glycerin Humectant | Glycerin is a widely used humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to hydrate the stratum corneum and support barrier function. It is considered safe and well-tolerated across most skin types and concentrations. |
| Acrylates Crosspolymer Film former / rheology modifier | Acrylates Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer used in skincare and cosmetics primarily as a thickening agent, emulsion stabilizer, and film former. It helps control product texture, viscosity, and spreadability rather than providing a direct therapeutic skin benefit. |
| Lactic Acid Key active Chemical exfoliant (AHA) | Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin by loosening bonds between corneocytes, promoting cell turnover, and acting as a humectant to improve hydration, texture, and tone. It is commonly used at concentrations ranging from low (hydration) to higher peel-strength formulations. |
| Salicylic Acid Key active Beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) exfoliant / keratolytic | Salicylic acid is a lipid-soluble beta-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin surface and penetrates sebaceous pores to loosen and dissolve keratin and debris. It is widely used to treat acne, blackheads, and conditions involving thickened or scaly skin. |
| Betaine Humectant / osmolyte | Betaine is a naturally derived amino acid derivative (trimethylglycine) used in skincare as a humectant and osmoprotectant that attracts and retains moisture while helping stabilize skin barrier function. It also improves the texture and mildness of formulations. |
| Allantoin Key active Soothing/skin-conditioning agent | Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products. |
| Sodium PCA Humectant | Sodium PCA (sodium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and a component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). It is widely used in cosmetics as a water-binding humectant to hydrate and soften the skin. |
| Panthenol Humectant / skin-conditioning agent | Panthenol (provitamin B5) is converted to pantothenic acid in the skin, where it acts as a humectant and helps support skin barrier function and hydration. It is also used for its soothing and mild anti-inflammatory properties in topical formulations. |
| Salix Alba Bark Extract Key active Natural exfoliant / anti-inflammatory | Salix Alba (White Willow) Bark Extract is a botanical source of salicin, which can be converted to salicylic acid, offering mild exfoliating, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties. It is commonly used in formulations targeting acne-prone, oily, or congested skin as a gentler alternative to synthetic salicylic acid. |
| Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Key active Soothing / brightening agent | Glycyrrhiza Glabra (licorice) Root Extract is a botanical ingredient containing glycyrrhizin and glabridin, valued for its anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening properties. It is commonly used to calm irritation, reduce redness, and help fade hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase activity. |
| Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Key active Soothing/anti-inflammatory botanical extract | Chamomilla Recutita (German chamomile) flower extract is a plant-derived ingredient used in skincare for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, attributed to compounds such as bisabolol, chamazulene, and flavonoids. It is commonly added to formulations intended to calm sensitive, irritated, or reddened skin. |
| Parfum Fragrance | Parfum (fragrance) is a blend of aromatic compounds added to cosmetic products to impart a pleasant scent or mask the base odor of other ingredients. It serves a sensory/formulation purpose rather than providing any skin benefit. |
| Disodium EDTA Chelating agent | Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent used in cosmetics to bind metal ions, improving product stability, preventing rancidity, and enhancing the efficacy of preservatives. It is a formulation/base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Microcrystalline Cellulose Texturizer/bulking agent | Microcrystalline cellulose is a purified, partially depolymerized cellulose derived from plant fibers, used in skincare and cosmetics as a bulking agent, texture modifier, anti-caking agent, and emulsion stabilizer. It is inert and primarily serves formulation purposes rather than providing active skin benefits. |
| Lactose Humectant/moisturizing agent | Lactose is a disaccharide sugar derived from milk, used in skincare primarily as a humectant and mild moisturizing agent that helps attract and retain water in the stratum corneum. It may also serve as a bulking agent or carrier in certain formulations. |
| Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Thickener/film-former | Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) is a semi-synthetic cellulose derivative used in skincare and cosmetics as a thickening agent, emulsion stabilizer, film former, and binder. It is generally considered safe, non-toxic, and non-irritating in topical formulations. |
| Tocopheryl Acetate Key active Antioxidant | Tocopheryl acetate is a stable, esterified form of vitamin E used in skincare as an antioxidant and conditioning agent. It is converted to active tocopherol in the skin, helping protect against oxidative stress and supporting the skin barrier. |
| Sodium Hydroxide pH adjuster | Sodium hydroxide (lye) is a strong alkaline compound used in small amounts to adjust and stabilize the pH of cosmetic formulations. At regulated low concentrations in finished products it is considered safe, though it is corrosive in concentrated form. |
| Phenoxyethanol Preservative | Phenoxyethanol is a widely used broad-spectrum preservative that protects cosmetic and skincare formulations from bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at concentrations up to 1% and serves as a formulation/base ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.