There’s one ingredient that you might’ve seen in all of your creams! It is a humectant and is often used in skin care products- be it soaps, cleansers, moisturizers, creams, and even sunscreens. This ingredient also happens to be vital for your skin’s health.
We’re talking about good Ol’ Glycerin here.
Now, pure old glycerine is typically sticky and slightly unpleasant to the touch, but it is an absolute must-have in your skincare routine. And don’t underestimate this little skin-penetrating substance that not only holds water but also aids in skin repair. Especially when it’s this pervasive.
Glycerin, scientifically known as glycerol, is a type of carbohydrate that can be obtained from plants, oils, and animal fats. We also use it in our skincare products because of its excellent humectant qualities.
Furthermore, if you believe your skin is too sensitive or acne-prone, glycerine is completely safe because it is non-comedogenic, odorless, colorless, and non-toxic. That is also why glycerine is utilized in a variety of product formulations. It happens to be an incredibly effective substance.
In the food processing sector, it is used to increase the sweetness of food. It is also commonly found in personal care goods and medications. It is a terrific chemical to deal with because of how wholesome it is. And, yes, it has some special benefits for the skin.
Table of Contents
Benefits Of Glycerin For Skin
1. Hydration
Glycerine is a potent humectant that, due to its small size, works from the inside to keep skin in peak condition. It is compatible with all other ingredients, but it works exceptionally well with hyaluronic acid and emollients. It boosts their effectiveness and helps skin cells retain moisture for longer. Enhanced moisturize in the skin also reduces the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet.
2. Skin Repairing
When your skin is wounded or irritated, you frequently use glycerine-containing ointments and creams. This is because glycerine in the stratum corneum( the top layer of the epidermis) can enhance skin healing. This also helps skin further acne healing and repair.
3. Heals Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, glycerine is a must. It holds moisture in as a humectant. Improving the moisture content of the skin is crucial for maintaining the optimal function of the skin barrier and preventing skin irritation and dryness. Moreover, it interacts with collagen to restore skin elasticity.
4. Antimicrobial
Because of its antimicrobial qualities, glycerine shields the skin from bacterial irritation. When such irritation occurs, glycerine can help the skin calm down. So it’s a good idea to pick a glycerine-heavy cream in case of skin inflammation, redness, or acne wounds.
5. Practical usage
Not only can glycerine improve the appearance of your skin, but it also works to make the texture of your cleansers and creams smoother. This is also a reason for its abundant usage in skin products.
Glycerin For Skin Whitening
Some people believe that Glycerin lightens and whitens the skin. However, there is no evidence supporting this claim.
Glycerin, at best, moisturizes and protects the skin. Due to its humectant nature, it locks in moisture into the skin and thereby gives plump, soft, and supple skin. Glycerin makes your skin healthy but doesn’t lighten them.
You need to look for tyrosinase-inhibiting ingredients if you want to lighten your skin tone. And if you use these ingredients with glycerin they will help in lightening your acne marks and improve the skin tone.
How to Use Glycerin For Skin?
1. Use Plain Glycerin on its own
Glycerin can be used on its own without any hesitation. But it may not be the best idea to use it alone like a gel since it feels extremely mushy on applications.
You can use glycerine on your face and body, and it is generally safe for oily, sensitive, and dry skin types as it is non-comedogenic and safe. It should be noted that most glycerin on the market is never 100% pure.
2. In DIY’s – Mixed in Face Masks and Toners
An excellent way to use glycerin is to dilute it with rose water or your favorite toner. Mixing equal parts glycerin with water/rose water makes an excellent hydrating facial mist that you can use throughout the day.
Along with soothing the skin and providing a cooling sensation, rose water possesses antioxidant qualities that could benefit your skin.
Using diluted glycerine in this manner during the summer is an excellent solution if you’re considering giving up your moisturizer due to the humidity but still want some sort of barrier between the environment and your skin.
It’s an added plus if your toner contains Centella Acetica or Hyaluronic Acid, which boosts the benefits of glycerine. These three make a brilliant mix.
You can also blend Glycerine with your favorite face mask/body oil for some extra softness on the skin.
3. In Readily Available Skincare Products
It’s not hard to find glycerin-based skincare products. Glycerin is very commonly found in many moisturizers and toner formulations since it is available for cheap but has excellent hydrating properties. It’s almost always present at the top of the ingredient list and forms the base of a product.
(The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel has Glycerin as one of the base ingredients making it an extremely hydrating product when combined with other ingredients.)
Side Effects
Some People have experienced blisters after using undiluted pure glycerine. So, it may be prudent for people to avoid pure and direct glycerine application in favor of a glycerine-formulated product.
Another slightly more typical occurrence is applying glycerine and discovering that your skin becomes dry after a while. Dehydrated skin is more likely to occur in a dry climate. As a humectant, glycerine retains water and draws it from the air or, if it cannot find it, from within your skin to provide the appearance of plump skin. Your skin gradually gets drier as a result. So, instead of using pure glycerine, use a heavy glycerin cream. You can also apply glycerine to moist or wet skin to make sure it has something to work with.
For some people, however, glycerin may not be the best ingredient to explore as a home DIY experiment. If you want to give your skin some glycerine, look for products that have been formulated with your skin’s needs in mind and the appropriate amount of glycerine. An expert can enhance the positives of Glycerine with a scientifically proven formulation compared to a hit-or-miss home remedy.
Best Glycerin Product Recommendations
1. Vaseline Body Lotion
Vaseline, with its high amount of glycerine, is a beautiful product. It gives your body some much-needed hydration. It instantly makes skin softer and smoother with the very first application. Regular usage will also make the skin appear vibrant and healthy.
2. Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy
If you’re suffering from dry, itchy, irritated skin, Physiogel can certainly help. It is formulated with ceramides, squalene, and yes, good ol’ glycerine. It will soothe and ease your skin in a few applications. It can repair skin damage and help restore your lost glow. It’s a savior in the winter months and is highly recommended for dry and sensitive skin.
3. Wishcare Glycerine – Pure & Unscented
If you’re looking for reliable pure glycerine for your DIYs, this is it! Wishcare promises to give you the best vegetable glycerine out there. It is unscented, clear, and without any additives, making it perfect for regular usage. It can be used for your hair and body and is a brilliant pick if you’re trying to ease dry skin. But as a rule patch test your DIYs before using them using them.
Good ol’ glycerine will probably never go out of fashion. We hope this article has acquainted you with some of its benefits. Let us know if you have any queries in the comments below.
Sejal Jain is a passionate beauty content creator at TheBeautyInsideout. She believes that skincare is not just a superficial thing but more like an expression of self-love and respect for your body and yourself.
