What is Glycerin, and What Does it Do for Skin?

Some ingredients get ample airtime in the skincare world, while others fly under the radar. Well, we’d wager that you’ve been sleeping on one particular ingredient: glycerin.

But what is glycerin used for? And what does it do for skin?

Glycerin is widely formulated in commercial skincare products – so, it might already be a supporting player in your skincare regime.

In this guide, we’re putting this oft-underappreciated ingredient front and centre. Read on as we uncover glycerin benefits for skin along with practical applications for your daily routine.

What is glycerin?

Glycerin is a colourless, odourless, sugar alcohol compound that’s derived from vegetable oils and animal fats. Today, it is commonly synthesised for use in skincare products – including face serums, moisturisers, cleansers, lotions, and more.

You may have heard glycerin conflated with ‘glycerol’ before – but there are some subtle differences. Lancôme’s National Skincare Expert, Brittany Hanchard, takes us through it:

“These two chemical compounds are near-identical, but glycerol is the pure form of the compound. Glycerin, which contains at least 95% glycerol1, is the derivative used for commercial cosmetic purposes. This ensures it is gentle enough for topical use.”

¹https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/glycerol

What does glycerin do for skin?

Glycerin is classified as a humectant, which means it attracts and binds water to the stratum corneum – the skin’s outermost layer. But glycerin is quite unique because it also has emollient properties. Emollients are usually formulated in lotions, creams, ointments; they work by softening and smoothing skin, filling gaps between skin cells to effectively trap moisture in the skin surface.

With combined humectant and emollient characteristics, glycerin skincare can act as something of a hydration magnet – drawing in external moisture and locking it into the skin.

Glycerin benefits for skin

Given its status as a moisturising agent, glycerin imparts a number of benefits to the skin:

Keeps the skin hydrated
Fortifies the skin moisture barrier
Supports sensitive skin
Plumps and smooths the skin surface
Suits all skin types
Complements most skincare ingredients

Read on as we delve into these seven glycerin benefits for skin.

Deeply hydrating

Glycerin works tirelessly to hydrate the skin.

As a humectant, it draws in water from the surrounding air as well as deeper layers of skin, fusing it to the skin surface. This makes glycerin particularly effective if you have dry skin (which naturally has fewer lipids) or dehydrated skin (which is lacking in water). Being part-emollient also means glycerin seals in the moisture it attracts.

Strengthens the skin moisture barrier

The skin moisture barrier is responsible for preserving moisture in the outer layers of the skin while shielding out harmful external stressors.

However, there are a number of internal and external factors that can damage the skin moisture barrier and impair its ability to protect the deeper layers of the skin. This is where glycerin skincare comes in. Glycerin helps mitigate a process called transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which allows the skin moisture barrier to replenish itself over time.

Comforts sensitive skin

Choosing skincare for sensitive skin can take some trial and error, since many topical products contain potent actives or fragrances that can trigger feelings of sensitivity.

Glycerin is considered a hypoallergenic ingredient – which makes it highly compatible with sensitive skin. In fact, glycerin is known to comfort various types of sensitive skin, like redness-prone and eczema-prone skin.

Glycerin skincare also plays an important role in neutralising TEWL in the skin moisture barrier – which, unmanaged, can exacerbate the look and feel of sensitive skin.

Plumps and smooths skin

Some visible aging concerns – like loss of elasticity and fine lines – can appear more prominent if the skin is dehydrated. Since glycerin skincare binds and holds water in the skin, this can have a natural plumping effect. Skin appears smoother, fuller, and more supple, which can diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles in aging skin.

Won't clog pores

Hydrated skin is balanced skin, so even oily skin types still need adequate hydration to avoid dysregulating sebum production.

Glycerin is a lightweight, non-comedogenic ingredient, so it can support hydration without clogging pores or feeling heavy on the skin. Since glycerin is a featured ingredient in an array of skincare products, you can easily add a lightweight, oil-free serum or moisturiser to your skincare routine.

Well-tolerated on all skin types

Glycerin is one of those rare skincare ingredients that’s well-tolerated by all skin types.

Dry skin: Water-locking ingredients like glycerin are the gold standard for dry skin types
Sensitive skin: Being a hypoallergenic humectant, glycerin skincare is well-suited to sensitive skin.
Oily skin: As a non-comedogenic ingredient, glycerin is ideal for keeping hydration levels in check – particularly if you have oily, blemish-prone skin.
Combination skin: As a lightweight hydrator, glycerin works well for combination skin to nourish dry areas without adding excess oil to the T-zone.
Normal skin: Glycerin is great for maintaining balance and hydration in normal skin.

Compatible with most skincare ingredients

As a gentle, nourishing ingredient, glycerin is highly compatible with a number of other skincare ingredients. Since it promotes a stronger skin moisture barrier, it can be quite beneficial alongside more potent actives that dry out the skin surface – like retinol, benzoyl peroxide, beta hydroxy acids, and alpha hydroxy acids.

Glycerin benefits for skin

Glycerin is widely available in skincare products, and its compatibility with various skin types and ingredients makes it simple to integrate into your daily routine. Below are three practical applications for glycerin skincare.

As a cleanser: A glycerin-infused cleanser like the Galatée Confort Rich Creamy Cleanser can maintain skin comfort and hydration while effectively removing dirt and impurities from the skin.
As a serum: The Génifique Ultimate Serum imparts a nourishing blend of glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and pre- and pro-biotic functions to hydrate and replenish stressed, aging skin.
As a moisturiser: Apply the glycerin-enriched Génifique Day Cream as your daily moisturiser for lasting hydration and a velvety-soft finish

One of the major benefits of glycerin for skin is its ability to support the skin moisture barrier. Next, find out how to repair your skin moisture barrier with hydrating ingredients.