Glycerin For Skincare: What It Is, Its Uses, And Benefits

You might have heard of glycerin being mentioned when talking about skincare, especially lately. Some people swear by it and hail it the best thing that ever happened to our skin, whereas others might view it with a bit more skepticism.

But just what is glycerin, and how can it be used?

Well, glycerin, also known as glycerol, at room temperature, is a colorless and odorless liquid which has a sweet taste. It can be derived from all natural fats, but it can also be created synthetically. Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it attracts water to itself. Because of its humectant properties, when used in skin care products, glycerin can work wonders in keeping the skin moisturized and hydrated.

Where can glycerin be found

Since one of its functions is to attract and maintain hydration, glycerin is one of the most commonly found ingredients in most beauty products nowadays. You can find it in face masks and moisturizers, as well as hand lotions, sunscreen, baby lotions, shaving cream, soap, shampoo, and even toothpaste.

Is glycerin safe? How do I use glycerin?

As long as it’s natural glycerin, meaning it’s derived from natural fats and not synthetically made, and seeing as it is non-toxic in nature, glycerin is both perfectly safe and even incredibly beneficial to the skin.

However, as we said, glycerin attracts water to itself and as such, it can sometimes have a negative effect if there is not enough humidity on the air. More precisely, the air’s humidity level should be at least 65% in order for the glycerin that is used topically (meaning on top of the skin), to draw moisture from the air. If it is not, then it will begin drawing the moisture from the lower layers of the skin, keeping the upper layers moist but drying out the dermis.

Which is why it is not recommended to be used in its pure form – opt instead to combine it with other ingredients like emollients or other occlusive agents. Emollients are moisturizing remedies and occlusive agents that are applied to the skin to soothe and hydrate it, covering it with a protective layer that traps in moisture. They are used to treat dry, itchy and scaly skin. We would find emollients in vegetable oils, petroleum jelly, mineral oil, cocoa butter, or shea butter.

So, combining glycerin with emollients will considerably reduce the risk of your skin losing moisture and make sure the oils can penetrate deeper into the skin’s layers.

So, yes, as long as you mix it with other ingredients glycerin is perfectly safe to use. For example, you could add a few drops to your face cream to get smoother, softer, and moist skin. You could also add it to your shampoo to treat an itchy, flaky scalp, therefore reducing dandruff.

Glycerin is also natural and gentle on the skin, so it can be used on children’s skin as well.

What are the benefits of glycerin?

Other than moisturizing and adding hydration to the skin, as we’ve already mentioned, glycerine has a number of other benefits when used in skin care.

For one, it can soothe the skin. Since it works as a hydrating agent, glycerine can prevent the skin from becoming irritated, red, or flaky. By adding moisture, it can also minimize any cracks that come as a result of dry skin, giving you a more supple and healthier looking skin.  Glycerin even has anti-aging properties – it can reduce wrinkles, blemishes, and maintain the skin’s elasticity.

Next, it can help with nourishing your skin and maintaining water balance by preventing the skin to lose its water due to evaporation. It’s also beneficial in keeping toxic chemicals and harmful environmental elements out of the skin by increasing the thickness of the epidermal layer and improving its barrier function.

Glycerin’s humectant qualities also have therapeutic benefits for skin diseases. In a study, published in December 2003 by researchers at the Medical College of Georgia on The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, it was concluded that glycerol is beneficial in helping our skin cells to mature correctly, letting the younger cells move from the deeper layers to the surface cells.

So, glycerin could be used to accelerate healing or as a natural medication for fungal infections like eczema and psoriasis, as well as aid people suffering from conditions such as psoriasis and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Warning: Always read the label on the product or ask a physician for directions on how to use it. Apply glycerin to your skin only as it can be harmful if ingested. Avoid the eye area, groin, and vaginal area and the inside of your mouth and nose unless it is explicitly written on the product’s label you are allowed to, or your doctor advises you.

Also remember that even though a very serious allergic reaction to this medicine is rare, you should seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms that could indicate one, like a rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article: text, graphics, images, and other materials contained are strictly for informational purposes only. The Content is in no way intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Please, always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with all the questions that you have related to, or about, a medical condition.

You might also be interested in: 10 Natural Products You Should Use For Skin Care