Glycerin for Skin: Benefits, Types, and Effects

Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a versatile ingredient across various industries, including skincare. It is naturally derived from fats and oils, can be synthesized by our body and is found on the skin’s surface. Nonetheless, using additional glycerin in skincare products is beneficial.

Glycerin is a key ingredient in topical products from moisturizers to lotions, serums, toners, mists, soaps and face washes. Its effects are pronounced in moisturizers and lotions as they stay on relatively longer.

This guide discusses the benefits of glycerin for your skin, its types, side effects and even alternatives. Dive in to explore why this ingredient deserves its spot in your skincare routine.

What Does Glycerin Do for Your Skin?

Being a humectant, glycerin draws moisture from the environment to hydrate the skin, no surprise it offers benefits such as hydration, cell rejuvenation, barrier protection, anti-aging, and so on. Let's explore these benefits and see how glycerin helps you achieve them:

4 Benefits of Glycerin for Your Skin

1. Hydration

The primary use and benefit of glycerin for the skin is its hydrating and moisturizing properties. As a humectant, glycerin draws moisture into the skin ensuring that it is well-hydrated and healthy. As a result, it eradicates flakiness, dryness and dullness, making it particularly advantageous to people with dry skin or in dry environments. Apart from pulling in moisture, it locks in existing moisture resulting in smoother and more even skin texture.

2. Anti-Aging Effects

Dryness is one of the main causes of premature ageing, as dry skin increases the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and saggy skin. By hydrating the skin, glycerin counteracts these effects, resulting in healthier-looking skin.

3. Cell Rejuvenation and Barrier Protection

Glycerin’s use and benefits are not only limited to hydration but also extend to cell rejuvenation and renewal. It promotes the regeneration of skin cells and strengthens the skin's natural barrier, protecting against environmental stressors, pollution, and harmful microorganisms. Glycerin’s benefits extend beyond hydration to include cell rejuvenation and renewal. Additionally, its healing properties aid in managing conditions such as atopic dermatitis and eczema and speeding up recovery.

4. Skin Type Friendly

Whether your skin is sensitive, dry, or oily, glycerin has you covered. If you have sensitive skin, plant-based glycerin helps you soothe and fight against inflammation while alleviating temporary skin discomfort. For dry skin, glycerin lock in moisture, keeping your skin hydrated, and if your skin is oily, glycerin helps manage sebum production and is non-comedogenic to boot, so you do not have to worry about clogged pores.

Glycerin for Skin Care

While glycerin is beneficial for skincare, using it correctly is just as important as the product being used. That said, when using glycerin for skin care, ensure the following:

Ensure you cleanse your skin before applying any glycerin-based product.
Apply to your face paying attention to areas that require extra hydration.
Do not apply excessively in a bid to moisturize as less is more and just the right amount will do wonders.
You can use synthetic glycerin or products containing glycerin like serums, oils or moisturizers. Both are just as effective, but the latter is recommended because it contains other helpful minerals and has glycerin in just the right measure.
Pure glycerin may be too raw/highly concentrated and if used undiluted, you will not get the best of it. As such, dilute pure glycerin with water or mix it with other ingredients like oils before use.
Avoid guessing the concentration of dilute glycerin, instead get pre-formulated products for the most effective results.

What are the Types of Glycerin for Skin?

There are two main types of glycerin: natural glycerin and synthetic glycerin. Let's explore them below:

Natural Glycerin:

Natural glycerin is derived from plants like coconut oil or palm nuts. It is somewhat crude, hence it may contain slight impurities even after distillation. However, it is cheaper than synthetic glycerin and should be diluted before applying to the skin.

Synthetic Glycerin:

Synthetic glycerin is derived from petrochemicals or petroleum. It typically has relatively higher purity than natural glycerin due to its stringent production process and is predominantly used in pharmaceuticals. Despite being synthetic, it is safe and stable.

What are the Side Effects of Glycerin on Your Skin?

The side effects of glycerin mostly stem from not diluting it with blistering and dehydration being the most common issues.

Safety Tips

Stick to glycerin-containing products like soaps or lotions, and discontinue use if any adverse reactions occur.
Always dilute glycerin when necessary, adjusting the concentration based on your specific use, and monitor for any potential side effects. If you experience an allergic reaction, discontinue use immediately.

Can Glycerin Lighten Your Skin?

Glycerin helps improve the skin barrier and may even out skin tone by stimulating skin regeneration, but it cannot lighten your skin. Although it is found in some skin-lightening products, there is no evidence to suggest that it is the ingredient responsible for lightening.

Glycerin Alternatives for Skin Care

If you're looking for alternatives to glycerin for skincare, here are some effective options that provide similar humectant or moisturizing benefits:

1. Hyaluronic Acid: Like glycerin, hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the skin. It attracts and retains water, keeping your skin hydrated.

2. Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is a moisturizing plant with soothing properties. It is excellent for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

3. Sodium PCA: Sodium PCA is a naturally-occurring humectant derived from amino acids. It is often used in skincare products like moisturizers, cleansers, and toners. It offers lightweight hydration and supports the skin’s natural barrier.

4. Propylene Glycol: Propylene Glycol is synthetic humectant commonly used as a glycerin substitute in skin care formulations to help retain moisture.

Final Thoughts

Glycerin is a powerful skincare ingredient known for its moisturizing properties; no surprise, it is a key component of many skincare products and medications. However, to avoid irritation, only use diluted glycerin, preferably in a formulated product rather than in its pure form.