Glycerin Skin Care Benefits:
All You Need to Know
Glycerin is a trusted anti-aging ingredient used to both hydrate tired skin and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, chances are 90% of your skin care products contain some form of glycerin...it's that damn good. Also commonly referred to as glycol or glycerol, glycerin comes from natural fats (animal or plant), including fats in your own skin. It can also be manufactured synthetically. Glycerin is categorized as a humectant - a fancy way of saying it draws moisture (aka water molecules) from the air into the deeper layers of your skin. Dry skinned ladies, make sure to saddle up with this one.
Glycerin
INGREDIENT CATEGORY: Humectant
BEST FOR TREATING: Anti-Aging, Dryness, Fine Lines and Wrinkles
SKIN TYPES FOR USE: All
SAFETY: Glycerin is safe for topical use in concentrations of up to 45% in skin care products
GHS TIP: It can take up to 6 weeks of consistent topical use of glycerin before you begin to see improvements
Top 4 Glycerin Skin Care Benefits
✓ Replenishes Moisture
PREVENTS DRYNESS AND FINE LINES & WRINKLES
Glycerin is a humectant meaning it pulls moisture (aka water molecules) from the air to hydrate your skin. Glycerin restores moisture and prevents water loss--great news for aging skin, sun exposure, winter dryness, flakiness, and if your skin is overall just dry AF.
✓ Soothes Skin and Reduces Irritation
PREVENTS DRYNESS AND FINE LINES & WRINKLES
Glycerin prevents damage to the lipid barrier of your skin (the fatty layer that keeps nasty stuff outside the skin and that locks moisture inside the skin). When you feel stinging or irritation, your lipid barrier has been damaged and the nerves are exposed.
✓ Hydrates without Clogging Pores
GREAT FOR MOISTURIZING OILY OR ACNE-PRONE SKIN
Yes, we want to hydrate, but not at the cost of clogged pores. Glycerin is non-comedogenic - meaning it hydrates without clogging your pores, making it a great moisturizer for oily and acne prone skin. FYI: If you have oily skin, that does NOT mean it’s hydrated. In fact, skin can overcompensate and produce extra oil when it’s dehydrated, so hydration is key for all skin types, even for the oily and acne prone babes.
✓ Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles
ANTI-AGING. YES PLEASE.
As you age, your skin begins to looks dull and get susceptible to irritation, redness and dry skin due to losing its ability to retain moisture. Glycerin hydrates your skin, and hydrated skin will both reduce the appearance of existing fine lines and wrinkles and help prevent the premature development of new ones. Basically, glycerin is pro-hydration, anti-wrinkle.
When to Use Glycerin
SKIN CARE ROUTINE OPTION A:
A moisturizer or serum with glycerin - use 2x a day
SKIN CARE ROUTINE OPTION B:
A targeted treatment with glycerin - use 2x a day
How to Apply Glycerin
Apply to entire face
Apply the glycerin skin care product to your entire face in the morning and the evening. Keep that pretty face hydrated.
If you are using a toner with glycerin, use a cotton pad to apply the product on your face.
Follow Up With...
Glycerin has literally nothing to do with fighting or protecting from UV damage, so be sure to apply sunscreen daily after moisturizing.
Glycerin in Products
Anti-Aging
Dryness
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
All Skin Types!
Cleansers
Creams/Gels
Moisturizers
Serums
Toners
Over the Counter
Top 3 Glycerin Skin Care Products
We’ve put together a GHS curated selection of our favorite skin care products that contain glycerin for hydration, anti-aging, and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. We only link to products that we absolutely believe in. All the products we’ve chosen are paraben-free, sulfate-free, and phthalate-free. Remember - results won’t happen overnight. It can take up to 6 weeks of consistent topical use before you begin to see improvements, so stay consistent with your product usage.
Use in AM & PM
Apply this moisturizer to your face, neck, and chest post cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and any AHA or vitamin C serum.
Price $
Certified: paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free
Use in AM & PM
Apply this serum to your face, neck, and chest post cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and any AHA or vitamin C serum.
Price $$$
Certified: paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free
Use 2-3x weekly in PM
Apply this mask to your face, neck, and chest post cleansing. Leave on for 20-60 minutes, or use as an overnight hydrating mask.
Price $$$
Certified: paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free
GHS Tips
Consistency is key
Results won’t happen overnight. Consistency is key. It can take up to 6 weeks of consistent topical use before you begin to see improvements. Be patient - good things come to those who wait.
Safety Tips
Glycerin is FDA Approved and safe for topical use in concentrations of up to 45% in skin care products.
SIDE EFFECTS OF GLYCERIN SKIN PRODUCTS:
- Glycerin applied topically has been shown to have few or no side effects - on rare occasions burning, stinging, redness, or irritation may occur
✓ Pair with occlusives when using glycerin in dry climates
Occlusives (i.e shea butter, cocoa butter, or essential oils high in oleic acid) prevent your skin from losing moisture by forming a protective barrier on the surface of your skin, sealing in the moisture.
X Don't use glycerin without occlusives in dry climates
Without humidity in the air, glycerin will dehydrate your skin by pulling moisture up from the dermis (deeper layer of your skin) into the epidermis (surface layer of your skin) instead of drawing water molecules from the air.
FAQs about Glycerin
Q. Are glycerin, glycerine, and glycerol the same thing?
Yes. There is no chemical difference between glycerin, glycerine, or glycerol.
Q. Can glycerin clog my pores?No. Glycerin is non-comedogenic, so it will hydrate without clogging your pores.
Q. What is the difference between a humectant and an emollient?A humectant, like glycerin, draws moisture (aka water) from the air and transfers it into your skin. An emollient helps to hold all that moisture in your skin by forming a protective layer over the skin.
Q. Do glycerin skin care products expire?Yes. Look for the expiration date or a POA (prescribed period after opening) which tells you how long the product is good after it’s been opened. If your glycerin product has expired, do not use it - expired products can cause skin irritation, bacterial infection, or breakouts.
Q. What are common names used to identify glycerin on an ingredient list for skin care products?- Glycerin
- Glycerine
- Glycerol
- Propylene Glycol
- Glycol-Glycerin
Related Pages
How to Treat Dryness - Causes, Treatments, & Top Ingredients
10 Best Hydrating Products for Treating Dry Skin
10 Best Cruelty-Free Products for Treating Dry Skin
How to Treat Fine Lines & Wrinkles - Causes, Treatments, & Top Ingredients
10 Best Products for Preventing Fine Lines & Wrinkles
10 Best Cruelty-Free Products for Preventing Fine Lines & Wrinkles
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