What Is Glycerin?
Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is the primary component of many essential lipids (fatty compounds found within your skin). It's widely considered the most effective humectant in the personal care industry. Humectants pull water from the air and your skin's deeper layers (dermis) into your skin's surface (epidermis), helping to hydrate and soften the skin.
Glycerin is odorless, colorless, non-comedogenic and nonirritating, so it's versatile and generally well tolerated by all skin types. You'll often find it in water-based skincare products and products formulated to beat dry skin.
What Is Glycerin Used For?
If you look at your daily products' labels, you'll probably see glycerin (or glycerol) listed more than you expected. Glycerin is used in many common personal care products, including lotions, hair conditioners, shaving creams, makeup, deodorants and eye drops. For scope, one study reported glycerin in 15,654 cosmetic products.
Glycerin is also found in foods to improve texture and retain moisture and in pharmaceuticals (e.g., cough syrup and oral tablets) to improve taste and texture.
Where Does Glycerin Come From?
Glycerin occurs naturally in animal and vegetable fats and oils in combination with other fatty acids. When derived from animal fats, glycerin is usually made from mutton or beef fat, while vegetable glycerin is extracted from palm, soy, olive and coconut oils. It can also be manufactured synthetically.
In 1779, a Swedish chemist successfully produced glycerin for the first time. This marked the beginning of glycerin's wide use in personal care products.
How To Incorporate Glycerin Into Your Skincare Routine
If you want to add more of this moisturizing agent to your skincare routine, look for it in body lotions, face moisturizers, lip balms, cleansers and makeup removers. Here are some other tips for adding it to your routine.
Avoid Undiluted Glycerin
While you can buy pure glycerin over the counter, it's generally recommended to use a product with diluted glycerin. Direct contact with undiluted glycerin can cause dryness and blisters. Glycerin is also viscous and can have a sticky texture, so avoid products with glycerin at the very top of the ingredients list to skip this effect.
Consider Your Skin's Needs
Choose glycerin-based products that best support your skin type and concerns. For example, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends creams and ointments containing glycerin to help soothe dry skin. If you have sensitive skin, look for glycerin-based soap as a gentle cleansing option.
Apply to Damp Skin
Apply to damp skin after cleansing to support absorption.
Pair With Supporting Ingredients
Glycerin is often paired with occlusives to lock in the moisture it pulls from the deeper layers of your skin's surface. You can also combine glycerin with other hydrating ingredients, like ceramides or hyaluronic acid, to help it work its magic.
While glycerin is generally considered gentle, any new product or ingredient can cause an allergic reaction or irritation in some people. So, always do a patch test before applying a glycerin-based product all over your skin.
FAQ
