Glycerin

Glycerin is a natural component of healthy skin. It’s also known as glycerine and glycerol, the latter being the term most often seen in studies about this classic ingredient.

As used in skin care, glycerin can be derived from vegetable and animal sources or made synthetically. In any of these forms, glycerin is hygroscopic, meaning it can draw moisture from the air around us and help keep that moisture in skin.

Glycerin skin care benefits

Glycerin’s skin care benefits are numerous, but it primarily serves to hydrate skin and help it hold on to moisture. Other benefits of glycerin include:

• Helping to shield skin from environmental sources of irritation

• Working with emollients and oils to make dry skin feel soft and supple

• Fortifying and strengthening skin’s moisture barrier

• Enhancing the penetration of other ingredients into skin’s uppermost layers

• Improving skin’s resiliency and youthful look