Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a natural compound derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. It is a clear, colorless, odorless, and syrupy liquid with a sweet taste. Glycerin is a humectant, a type of moisturizing agent that pulls water into the outer layer of your skin from deeper levels of your skin and the air. Here are some of the benefits of glycerin for the skin:
- Moisturizes and protects the skin: Glycerin helps hydrate the skin by drawing in moisture from the environment and deeper layers of the skin, keeping it soft and supple.
- Strengthens the skin barrier: Glycerin helps the skins natural lipids retain their structure, promoting a healthy skin barrier.
- Softens and improves the appearance of rough, dry skin: Skincare products containing glycerin can significantly soften and improve the appearance of rough, dry skin.
- Enhances the absorption of other topical ingredients: Glycerin can help enhance the absorption of other moisturizers and topical ingredients, particularly lipids (like oil-rich plant extracts), making products more effective.
- Plumps the look of skin and minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Glycerin has the ability to temporarily plump the look of skin and increase the water volume between cells, giving the skin a fuller, firmer appearance.
- Binds with and stabilizes collagen: Glycerin binds with and stabilizes collagen, the protein responsible for giving skin its elasticity, helping to maintain a youthful appearance.
Glycerin is widely found in hydrating moisturizers, creams, and serums, and it doesn't have to be in a high concentration to work effectively to hydrate the skin. However, on the face, undiluted glycerin may dehydrate and cause blistering, so it's important to use glycerin-containing products like soaps or lotions and stop if irritation occurs.
