The Miraculous Benefits of Glycerin for Your Skin
When it comes to skincare, it can be difficult to know which ingredients are beneficial and which ones should be avoided. One of the most overlooked ingredients is glycerin, a common humectant found in a variety of skin care products. In this blog post, we’re going to discuss why you should be looking for glycerin in your products, and why it's sometimes an even better choice than hyaluronic acid.
Humectants, Emollients and Occlusives Explained
Before we dive into glycerin specifically, let’s take a quick look at some of the other terms used when discussing skin care ingredients. Humectants are ingredients that draw moisture from the environment into the skin, while emollients are ingredients that have oils in them which fill in the rough patches of your skin so your skin feels smooth. On the other hand, occlusives are ingredients that form a protective layer on top of your skin to prevent water loss and keep your skin hydrated.
What Is Glycerin?
Glycerin is a humectant found naturally in our bodies and is derived from vegetable sources such as soybean oil or coconut oil. It has excellent moisturizing properties due to its ability to draw moisture from its surroundings into the upper layers of your skin. Additionally, because it has a low molecular weight, it can penetrate more deeply into the lower layers of your skin where it helps increase hydration levels and improve elasticity.
Top Glycerin Face Cleansers
Vanicream Cleanser
Specifically formulated for daily facial use. Helps remove makeup and excess skin oils without drying your skin. Leaves skin feeling clean and soft. Ideal for dry skin.
Glytone Cream Cleanser
This best-selling face cleanser is formulated with 3.4 PFAV™ Glycolic Acid and Glycerin to exfoliate while maintaining skin’s water balance, keeping skin hydrated and nourished. Recommended for normal to dry skin.
Why Glycerin Over Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is another popular humectant ingredient used in many skincare products; however, glycerin may be a better choice for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin because HA can cause irritation in some people. Additionally, glycerin has been shown to provide more effective long-term moisturization than HA because its small molecules allow it to penetrate more deeply into the lower layers of your skin where HA cannot reach. Finally, since glycerin is derived from natural sources like soybean oil or coconut oil rather than synthetically produced like HA, there are fewer potential irritants associated with using products containing glycerin for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin types.
Top Glycerin Serums
Avène Hydrance Serum
The moisturizing serum for the face is rich in Avène thermal water for long-lasting intensively nourished skin.
Instantly soothe skin and fortify its moisture barrier with this hydrating face serum. Formulated with nourishing triple oat complex and calming feverfew, the facial serum is ideal for sensitive skin.
This powerful 5 minute wash off treatment peels away dead skin cells, impurities and pollutants for radiant, youthful looking skin.
Glycerin is an often overlooked ingredient in skincare products; however, this versatile humectant can provide many benefits for all skin types. It helps draw moisture from its surroundings into the deeper layers of your skin, so if you're looking for effective long-term moisturization without any extra irritants or sensitivity concerns then make sure you're keeping an eye out for glycerin when shopping for skincare.
Top Glycerin Moisturizers
Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer
Soothe and hydrate sensitive, irritated, dry skin with this gel moisturizer. This fast-absorbing, lightweight gel face cream with nourishing prebiotic oat and calming feverfew moisturizes skin.
Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer is formulated with dermatologist-recommended ingredients including ceramide-3, niacinamide, glycerin and La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water. Its lightweight cream texture easily absorbs into the skin to provide immediate comfort. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive.
