Licorice root is a potent skin brightening ingredient. It is more potent than kojic acid, ascorbic acid (Vit C), and hydroquinone. Its root is sweet to taste and was used in Ancient Egypt & India. It is used in traditional medicine to treat cough and sore throat. It is used topically in cosmetics for skin brightening/lightening purposes. This is a pure, dried 20x extract meaning that each part of this extract equals to 20 parts of the fresh ingredient.