In the world of skin care, it’s often the most complex, exotic, and otherworldly ingredients that grab our attention. Long names don’t necessarily guarantee results, but we often think otherwise. However, there’s one potent, unknown ingredient that’s proving us wrong: skin glycerin, a staple in many of our favorite face washes.
When we think of moisturizers in skin care, hyaluronic acid is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But glycerin, its less glamorous but highly effective sister, deserves some attention. It’s probably already hiding in some of the products you use, so now’s the perfect time to get to know this unsung hero. To give you all the info on what glycerin is and why it’s so good for your skin, we spoke to the experts.
What is glycerin?
“Glycerin is a naturally occurring compound in the body. In topical skin care, it comes from plants,” Engelman says. In other words, when you apply glycerin, the magic happens deep inside the skin. Once absorbed, it can get to where it’s needed and replenish the moisture your skin has lost.
“Glycerin acts as a humectant, drawing moisture from the air into the stratum corneum (the top layer of the skin), and because of its low molecular weight, it continues to draw moisture into the deeper layers of the dermis. It has a molecular weight of about 92 g/mol, which means it can penetrate deeply into the skin,” Polovyj explains.
We know your skincare dictionary is already bursting at the seams, but trust us, this is one you need to keep and put away.
Benefits of Glycerin for Skin
• It’s an effective humectant: Glycerin is probably already a staple in your medicine cabinet. “Cosmetic chemists use it in most formulations because it hydrates so effectively,” Polovyj says. If you’re battling dry, dehydrated, or cracked skin, add as much moisture as possible.
• It helps protect the skin from harsh products: Glycerin is “commonly used in ointments and recommended by doctors to treat extreme dryness and restore skin elasticity,” Polovyj says.2 It keeps your skin soft, supple, and hydrated, which is important because we use harsh soap products that strip us of our natural oils.”
• It prevents moisture loss: What’s the difference between glycerin and non-glycerin products? “Essential oils and serums are designed to penetrate the skin barrier and be absorbed into the skin. Thicker products, like those containing glycerin, are designed to support the skin barrier by coating the outside,” says Engelman. “They prevent the skin from losing water, allowing the natural oils to nourish and repair.”
What types of products contain glycerin?
Glycerin is a common ingredient in many skin care and beauty products due to its moisturizing and skin-protecting properties. You can find glycerin in face cleansers, moisturizers, serums, body lotions, hand creams, and even some hair products.
Side Effects of Glycerin
There are no known side effects of glycerin as a skin care ingredient; however, it may cause an allergic reaction when used in high concentrations: “In general, glycerin is a very safe skin care product,” says Tzu. “However, as with any product, allergic reactions or irritation are possible, although rare.”
Applications
Almost everything can benefit from a healthy dose of glycerin, which means it can be added to nearly every step of your daily routine.
“Typically, glycerin should already be pre-mixed with many other ingredients to form a carrier for moisturizers or other hydrating skin care products,” says Tzu. “Cosmetic chemists are professionals who usually do the necessary work to find the perfect ratio of ingredients in a moisturizer. I wouldn’t do too many DIY chemistry projects mixing glycerin with other compounds. That should be a chemist’s job. Just sit back, relax and apply the moisturizer to slightly damp skin.”
As Polovyj explains: “It’s one of the most commonly used raw materials in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in chemistry. Glycerin is the building block of most essential lipids (i.e. oils). It’s found in your skin, so it has a strong affinity for it. For this reason, you’ll find it as an ingredient in many skincare products, especially moisturizers, cleansers, and serums.” It’s a quick and easy way to get super soft and hydrated skin without a separate product.
If you’re looking for key active ingredients, these should be high up, but for glycerin, you may need to look a little lower. “It can be a very sticky substance, so it shouldn’t be placed too high up in the ingredient list because it can affect the feel of the product. Generally speaking, it’s ideal if it’s around the third or fourth ingredient and has a typical profile. Use at 10%,” Polovyj explains.
