When it comes to hydrators, it’s easy to think of the universally-loved hyaluronic acid. Its reputation as a miracle hydrator and its recent rise in popularity has collectively made us realise the importance of adequate moisturisation and the wonders it can do for our skin. Dry, dehydrated skin is more prone to showing signs of ageing, such as fine lines, whereas adequate hydration leaves your skin feeling softer and plump. While hyaluronic acid is the new ‘IT’ ingredient on the block, other additives still play a key role in keeping your skin well-hydrated. It’s time to meet glycerin — possibly the most common hydrator in the market today, so much so that this underrated hero is probably already present in your current skincare routine (just read the labels!).
Meet glycerin
So, what exactly is glycerin in skincare? Think of it as hyaluronic acid’s humbler (but equally effective) cousin. Just like HA, glycerin is a humectant, meaning it pulls moisture from the environment into your skin to keep it hydrated and plump. It’s a syrup-like looking, odourless and colourless liquid, which lends itself well to most products. This versatile ingredient is most commonly found in face washes, face serums and moisturisers and is also in haircare. Almost all steps in your skincare routine can benefit from the presence of this moisture booster.
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Glazed and dewy
Glycerin can help you achieve the viral ‘glazed skin’ look. Regular use can leave your skin softer, smoother, and more supple, delivering a dewy look. The ingredient has many far-reaching benefits beyond giving you a dewy glow.
1. Glow getter:
First and foremost, glycerin is a powerful moisture booster often used in cosmetics and skincare to add hydration and soothe dry, damaged skin. It’s highly effective in treating extreme dryness and restoring skin elasticity and is a popular ingredient in most cosmeceutical creams. If you often struggle with dry, dehydrated or cracked skin, it might be wise to use glycerin-based products in your routine apart from other nourishing ingredients (an extra dose of hydration at every step can only help, right?)
2. Barrier support:
It also strengthens your skin barrier (which is crucial for improving overall skin health) and keeps the good stuff inside and the harmful stuff out. This also prevents loss of moisture, which allows your skin's natural oils to get locked in and do their job well in maintaining your skin’s health.
3. Layering hero:
Glycerin also protects your skin from the harsh effects of other ingredients. For example, chemicals in your products or soaps can strip your skin of its natural oils and deplete your skin’s moisture reservoirs. Glycerin benefits involve standing guard against this and soothing irritated skin to keep it hydrated and nourished.
Who can you use glycerin for skin?
So who exactly can benefit from using glycerin? While it's especially effective in treating extreme dryness, almost everyone stands to gain from using glycerin because of its soothing, skin-protecting and moisture-enhancing properties. It’s also completely safe for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Glycerin is a gentle ingredient, but of course, as with all ingredients, there’s always a risk for allergy (albeit rare), so keep that in mind.
Glycerin is hardly ever used on its own but is often premixed with a number of other ingredients to provide the desired results. To pick out a glycerin product, do a quick label check. It’s hard to spot glycerin, but chances are, it’s already hiding in most of your skin and bath products, especially ones that promise dewy skin. It can be harmful to the skin in pure or highly concentrated forms, which is why it’s only added in diluted forms in most topical products, 10% usually works best.
Get the how-to right
While glycerin is a fairly simple ingredient to use, with very few precautions, if any, it always helps to know the correct way to use it so you can gain the most out of it. Luckily, you don’t quite have to worry about its application process since it already comes premixed with other ingredients in a product. Just apply the product like you usually would, and you’re good to go.
Glycerin-based products are safe to be applied 3 to 4 times a day to give your skin a moisture boost, but there is one rule of thumb to keep in mind. Since glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture from the environment onto the skin, it should always be applied over clean, damp skin. You can also alternatively spray on a hydrating mist to prep your skin. If you do not provide this external source of moisture, glycerin being a humectant, will pull the moisture from the deeper layers of your skin, making your skin feel drier. Ideally, glycerin products should also be applied with a moisturiser to seal in the goodness. This also helps boost the moisturiser’s efficacy.
