Glycerin – After water and perfumes, glycerin is one of the most cited ingredients in cosmetics, and it is also an essential ingredient in creams and lotions. And it using glycerin in its pure form is growing in popularity, but there are things consumers should know if they choose to do so. Studies show that it can affect your skin in several ways. Read on to find out how.
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What is Glycerin?
It also recognized as glycerol, is a natural multiple derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. It is a clear, colourless, odourless, syrupy liquid with a sweet taste.
And it is a humectant, a moisturizing agent that draws water into the outer layer of the skin from the deeper layers of the skin and the air.
In skincare products, it is commonly used with occlusives, another type of moisturizer, to trap moisture drawn to the skin.
It renders to a 2016 study, and it is “the most real humectant” available for increasing hydration to the top layer of skin, compared to many others, including:
Its dominant hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid and glycolic acid
hyaluronic acid
And propylene glycol and butylene glycol
sorbitol
Also urea
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Is Glycerin Good for the Skin?
The arrival of it in skin care products seems justified, as it provides a series of benefits to the skin.
Benefits of Glycerin for the Skin
According to the Association of the American Academy of Dermatology, glycerin can:
It hydrates the outer layer of the skin (stratum corneum)
improve skin barrier function
protect against skin irritants
accelerate healing processes
relieve dry skin
can help with psoriasis
Can Glycerin Irritate My Skin?
As a humectant, It attracts water from the nearest source. It is especially in low humidity conditions, and the closest water source is in the skin’s lower layers, which can dehydrate the skin, even to blistering.
Since blistering can occur with undiluted glycerin or with glycerin that is not diluted enough, it is better to use products that contain it as ingredient rather than using pure glycerin.
Many natural cosmetics advocates recommend diluting glycerin with rose water, as rose water is believed to hydrate skin and refine pores. A 2019 study found that rose had optimistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.
A 2017 Trusted Source study found that combining it, hyaluronic acid, and Centella Asiatica extract improves skin’s barrier function for up to 24 hours after application.
Are there any Side Properties to Using glycerin?
Although there don’t seem to be many reported side effects, It is a natural product, so there is always the option of an allergic reaction.
If you experience redness, itching or a rash, stop using the product immediately. Look for an alternative product that does not contain it, and read labels carefully.
