What is Glycerin?
A humectant naturally found in the skin that attracts moisture and helps it maintain a soft, moisturised, healthy look. Used topically in combination with other emollients and antioxidants, glycerin is a natural compound that is highly effective at restoring skin health and resilience. Glycerin is often derived from vegetable oils and animal fats, though plant-based sources are more common in skincare products.
How does Glycerin work?
Glycerin in skincare has numerous benefits, but it primarily serves to hydrate and help the skin retain moisture effectively. When paired with hyaluronic acid, glycerin enhances hydration levels, providing long-lasting moisture and skin plumpness. Glycerine’s benefits also include:
- Helping to shield skin from environmental sources of irritation
- Working with emollients and oils to make dry skin feel amazingly soft and supple
- Fortifying and strengthening the skin’s natural barrier
- Providing protection against environmental irritants and dehydration
- Enhancing the penetration of other skincare products ingredients into the skin’s uppermost deeper layers
- Helping to improve skin texture, resiliency and youthful look.
Who should use Glycerin?
Glycerin can be used on all types of skin including oily skin. Research has shown that glycerine mimics what’s known as the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF), which is why it’s compatible with all skin types, of all ages.
How is Glycerin used?
Due to its ability to draw moisture and effectively hydrate the skin, glycerin can be found in a variety of skincare formulations, including body washes, lotions, oils and creams.
Can Glycerin be used on the body?
Glycerin is relevant for body and face use due to its long history of safe use in the skin care routine, and its non-allergenic properties. It helps to keep your skin beautifully soft and supple, whilst providing increased hydration to the skin. Unlike heavier oils, glycerin does not clog pores, making it an excellent choice for maintaining hydration without causing breakouts. When used in its pure form, glycerin provides a concentrated boost of hydration, making it ideal for dry or cracked skin.
How can Glycerin benefit different skin conditions?
Glycerin is a powerful humectant that helps draw water into the skin and hold it there. By boosting hydration and supporting the skin’s protective barrier, glycerin can help improve comfort, softness and resilience – especially when skin is dry, irritated or prone to sensitivity.
- Dry skin: Helps relieve dryness and tightness by attracting moisture to the skin and reducing flakiness.
- Eczema / dermatitis: Supports a weakened skin barrier and helps reduce dryness and discomfort associated with irritated, sensitive skin.
- Psoriasis: Helps soften rough, scaly-feeling patches by improving hydration and smoothing dryness-related texture.
- Acne-prone skin: Hydrates without feeling heavy, which can help balance skin and reduce dehydration that sometimes worsens oiliness or irritation.
- Cracked skin: Helps keep skin more supple and can support the healing process by reducing dryness and improving comfort as skin repairs.
- Sensitive or easily irritated skin: Helps strengthen barrier function, making skin less reactive to irritants, harsh weather and frequent washing.
- Rough patches: Softens and smooths dry, uneven areas by improving moisture levels and enhancing skin flexibility.
- Uneven skin tone / post-blemish marks: Well-hydrated skin looks more even and can appear brighter; glycerin also supports smoother texture as skin recovers from blemishes.
