Everything you need to know about glycerin in skincare
Do you know that feeling when a cream makes your skin soft the moment you apply it? Glycerin is a big part of the secret, and you'll find it in many of the products in your bathroom. Let's start with how it helps your skin retain moisture.
In brief
- Glycerin is a clear liquid that attracts water and binds moisture in the skin.
- Skin naturally contains glycerin in its outermost layer.
- It makes skin soft and supple without feeling greasy.
- You'll find it in everything from cream and serum to soap and shampoo.
What is glycerin?
Glycerin is a colourless, thick and slightly sweet liquid that attracts water.1 In skincare, it binds moisture in the skin's outermost layer, leaving skin feeling soft and supple.
Your skin actually contains glycerin in its outermost layer, where it helps skin retain moisture.2 So glycerin in your cream gives your skin more of something it already uses to retain moisture.
Glycerin is also called glycerol, but it appears as Glycerin on the ingredients list. In some places, it is spelled glyserin with an s. It is the same ingredient.
What is glycerin used for?
Glycerin primarily moisturises and protects your skin. In haircare, it binds moisture in the hair.3 It also makes creams and serums easy to spread without feeling greasy.
- Cream and serum: moisture and soft, supple skin.
- Soap and hand soap: glycerin is formed when fats are made into soap.1
- Hand sanitiser: glycerin is included to help prevent your hands from getting as dry. It is also included in the WHO's hand sanitiser formula.4
- Shampoo and conditioner: moisture for the hair.
You'll also find glycerin in medicines and food.
Is glycerin good for skin?
Yes. Glycerin gives dry skin more moisture, leaving it feeling soft and supple.5 It also strengthens your skin's natural barrier, so skin can better resist dryness and irritation.2 You'll especially notice the extra moisture on a cold winter day when your skin feels tight.
If your skin has become dry, glycerin can help it retain moisture again.6
- Dry skin: more moisture and a softer feel.
- Sensitive skin: a mild moisturiser that most people tolerate well.
- Oily skin: glycerin is not a fat, so it moisturises without feeling greasy.
Moisturise your skin morning and evening with three simple steps.
- Cleanse your skin gently and lightly pat it with a towel.
- Apply your serum to your skin while it is still slightly damp. This allows the glycerin to bind some of the water on your skin.
- Finish with a cream. The fats in the cream retain moisture, keeping skin feeling soft for longer.
Glycerin or hyaluronic acid?
Both bind moisture, and both are naturally present in your skin.7 You don't have to choose, because the two moisturisers can be used together. How much moisture your skin gets also depends on the other ingredients in the product.8
Want to know more about the other moisturiser? Read our guide to hyaluronic acid.
Is glycerin dangerous?
Independent experts have assessed glycerin as safe in cosmetics at the concentrations and for the uses they examined.3 Skincare containing glycerin must also undergo a safety assessment before it can be sold in the EU. This applies to all skincare.
Most people tolerate glycerin well. If a product nevertheless makes your skin red or irritated, stop using it.
So can you eat it? Glycerin is also used in food,1 but your cream or soap is intended for the skin and must not be eaten.
Talk to your doctor
Does your skin become red, itchy or sting? Stop using the product. If it doesn't go away, talk to your doctor.
Can glycerin dry out skin?
Glycerin attracts water. But does that mean it can also dry out your skin? In skincare, it binds moisture in the skin. The other ingredients also affect how your skin feels.
If your skin still feels dry, it often also lacks oil. The fats in a cream can then help keep moisture in the skin.5
Myth or fact?
Glycerin is just a cheap filler.
Myth. It binds moisture in the skin and makes it soft and supple.
Skin naturally contains glycerin.
Fact. It is found in the skin's outermost layer, where it retains moisture.
Glycerin leaves a greasy film on the skin.
Myth. Glycerin is not a fat. It moisturises without feeling greasy and is therefore also suitable for oily skin.
Vegetable glycerin is a different substance.
Myth. It is the same substance. The name only tells you that the glycerin is made from plants.
What is vegetable glycerin?
Vegetable glycerin is glycerin made from plant oils and fats.
Glycerin can be made by splitting fats using water, and it is also formed when soap is made. It can also be made synthetically.1 It is still the same ingredient, regardless of where it comes from.
The ingredients list simply says Glycerin, so you can't tell its origin from the name. You can check the product description to see whether the whole product is vegan. If you'd like to know more about what glycerin is made from, visit our page about the ingredient.
What does glycerin do for your skin?
- Binds moisture so skin feels soft
- Leaves a greasy film on the skin
- Removes dead skin cells
Glycerin attracts water and binds moisture in the skin's outermost layer.
When do you get the most out of your moisturising serum?
- On completely dry skin
- On slightly damp skin, with cream on top
- Only in the evening
The glycerin binds some of the water on the slightly damp skin, and the cream retains the moisture.
Does the ingredients list say "vegetable"?
- Yes, always
- No, it just says Glycerin
- Only on organic products
The name is the same regardless of where the glycerin comes from. Check the product description to see whether the product is vegan.
Our care products with glycerin
At ECOOKING, you'll find glycerin in many of our serums, creams and masks. Does your skin need extra moisture? Enjoy ten minutes with our Moisturizing Mask. And if you're not happy with your care products, you have our 100 % satisfaction guarantee.
Moisturizing Mask
Fragrance-free face mask with hyaluronic acid that gives dry skin a moisture ...
Hyaluronic Serum
Fragrance-free moisturising serum that provides intense moisture and plumpnes...
Energizing Serum
Fragrance-free serum for mature skin that deeply moisturizes, firms, smooths ...
Men Face Cream
Moisturising face cream for men that provides long-lasting moisture and absor...
Frequently asked questions
What is glycerin?
Glycerin is a colourless moisturiser that attracts water and binds moisture in the skin's outermost layer. It is naturally present in your skin, and you'll also find it in many skincare products.
What is glycerin used for?
In cream, serum and soap, glycerin primarily moisturises your skin. In shampoo, it binds moisture in the hair. It is also used in hand sanitiser to help prevent your hands from getting as dry.
Is glycerin good for skin?
Yes. It gives dry skin more moisture and makes it soft and supple. Because it is not a fat, it is also suitable for oily skin.
Is glycerin dangerous for skin?
Glycerin has been assessed as safe in skincare at the concentrations and for the uses experts have examined. Most people tolerate it well. If your skin nevertheless reacts to a product, stop using it.
Are glycerin and glycerol the same?
Yes, they are the same substance. Glycerin is the name on the ingredients list. Read more about the names on our page about glycerol.
What is vegetable glycerin?
It is glycerin from plants. The ingredients list says Glycerin, regardless of where it comes from.
Can you eat glycerin?
Glycerin is also used in food, but your skincare products are only for the skin and must not be eaten.
Sources
- Den Store Danske. Glycerol. lex.dk. lex.dk
- Fluhr JW, Darlenski R, Surber C. Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions. British Journal of Dermatology. 2008. PubMed
- Becker LC et al. Safety Assessment of Glycerin as Used in Cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology. 2019. PubMed
- Menegueti MG et al. Glycerol content within the WHO ethanol-based handrub formulation: balancing tolerability with antimicrobial efficacy. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control. 2019. PubMed
- Vaillant L et al. Combined effects of glycerol and petrolatum in an emollient cream: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study in healthy volunteers with dry skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020. PubMed
- Atrux-Tallau N et al. Effects of glycerol on human skin damaged by acute sodium lauryl sulphate treatment. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2010. PubMed
- Verdier-Sévrain S, Bonté F. Skin hydration: a review on its molecular mechanisms. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2007. PubMed
- Polaskova J, Pavlackova J, Egner P. Effect of vehicle on the performance of active moisturizing substances. Skin Research and Technology. 2015. PubMed
