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Stylist Loves
Glycerin: this skincare ingredient is effective at hydrating and treating dry skin
By Morgan Fargo &Hanna Ibraheem
11 months ago
All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article
5 min read
Dry skin can be uncomfortable and may even cause irritation. Meet glycerin, the skincare ingredient hailed for its moisturising properties. Here’s everything you need to know about this beloved ingredient.
If you often find flaky patches thanks to your combination complexion or a dry skin type that never feels quenched, glycerin is an ingredient to add to your skincare routine. Hailed as the key to keeping skin hydrated, it was once named the third most popular skincare ingredient around, sitting behind water and fragrance. So what exactly does it do and how does it fit into your current routine? Here, two skincare experts explain all…
What is glycerin?
“Glycerin is a humectant moisturiser (the other name is glycerol). It exists naturally in the top layer of our skin (stratum corneum) and its function is to keep the skin moisturised,” explains Dr Shaaira Nasir, consultant dermatologist at sk:n.
“In skincare, it works by attracting water from the air and from the deeper layers of the skin. It is a colourless and odourless substance originating from vegetable oils and animal fats or it can be synthetically produced. In skin care, it tends to be derived from plants. Of all the humectants, glycerin is reported to be the most effective in increasing skin hydration.”
What are the key benefits of glycerin?
“The key benefit of glycerin is that it hydrates the outer layer of the skin called the stratum corneum,” says Dr Nasir. “It works by improving the skin’s barrier function and forms a protective barrier against irritants. It has also been shown to accelerate wound healing and helps with the penetration of other skincare ingredients.”
What skin type is best suited to glycerin?
“The best thing about glycerin is that it’s lightweight and gentle, so all skin types can use it, whether you have oily, dry or combination skin,” says Dr Joyce Park, dermatologist and bareMinerals global dermatology ambassador. “It is also non-comedogenic, so it doesn’t clog your pores, which may worsen acne.”
Can glycerin irritate the skin?
“Glycerin is considered a hypoallergenic substance, meaning that allergic reactions or irritations to this substance are extremely rare. Glycerin is also a non-comedogenic substance and therefore will not cause breakouts.”
Where does glycerin fit in your skincare routine?
“Glycerin can be found in a variety of products, but it is most often found in cleansers and moisturisers, where it helps to gently hydrate your skin at each step of your skincare routine,” says Dr Park.
Dr Nasir adds: “Its main use is in moisturising the skin as it is able to draw and lock in moisture into the top layer of the skin.”
16 of the best glycerin skincare products loved by the Stylist beauty team
Byoma Hydrating Serum
A great all-round hydrator for thirsty skin types, this nourishing serum is packed with ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids – blended with a base of squalane and glycerin for replenished, bouncy and healthy-looking skin.
Weleda Skin Food
Beloved by celebrities and social media users, Weleda Skin Food has been elevated from a winter cream to a year-round slugging option.
A blend of chamomile, calendula, oils and waxes, the rich cream is designed to help repair dry, stressed-out skin. If this feels a little thick, try Skin Food Light for the same benefits with less viscosity.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
If your skin feels constantly thirsty, this affordable cream contains amino and fatty acids as well as triglycerides, urea, glycerin, saccharides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid to layer in hydration and repair the healthy functioning of your skin barrier.
Shop The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA at Boots, £6.10
Necessaire The Body Cream
Glycerin can help to nourish the skin on your body, too. This rich body cream is packed with five essential ceramides that help to repair the skin barrier, working to heal dryness. 5% glycerin, 5% niacinamide and 1% linoleic acid soothe sensitivity and dryness.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm
This skin-soothing balm is perfect for moisturising and nourishing dry, sensitive skin. With a minimalist formula (including vitamin B5, glycerin, cicaplast and thermal spring water), the balm can even be used post-injury on broken skin.
Shop La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm at Lookfantastic, £10.90
Drunk Elephant Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser
A non-stripping cleanser, this Drunk Elephant gem rids skin of make-up, dirt, environmental debris (like pollution) and SPF. For very dry skin, use this as your second cleanse following an oil cleanser or cleansing balm.
Shop Drunk Elephant Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser at Cult Beauty, £15
Paula's Choice Skincare Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturiser
This moisture-balancing cream is designed to be used as the last step in your nightly skincare routine. Light in texture, it’s ideal for normal, dry, combination and oily skin types.
Shop Paula’s Choice Skincare Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturiser at Cult Beauty, £36
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream
An award-winning cream that make-up artists swear by, it contains a combination of moisture-attracting and anti-inflammatory ingredients to hydrate and soothe dry winter skin.
Shop Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream at Cult Beauty, £52
Biossance Squalane + Glycolic Renewal
A powerful mask to brighten and even out skin tone, Biossance has added hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane and triglycerides to replenish thirsty, freshly exfoliated skin.
Shop Biossance Squalane + Glycolic Renewal at Cult Beauty, £38
Eucerin Dry Skin UreaRepair Plus
A favourite of dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts, this foot cream contains urea and ceramides – two of the most powerful ingredients to repair intensely dry, cracked skin. Layer this on and then pop a pair of socks on before bed – it will deeply nourish your skin while you snooze.
Avène XeraCalm A.D. Lipid-Replenishing Balm Moisturiser
This soothing balm moisturiser is perfect for dry, itchy skin. Formulated with a minimal number of ingredients to minimise risks of allergy, there are ceramides, glycerin and thermal spring water – ideal for calming eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Shop Avène XeraCalm A.D. Lipid-Replenishing Balm Moisturiser at Boots, £22
Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Serum Toner
Loaded with hydrating heroes, this milky serum contains a trio of ceramides, panthenol and glycerin to deeply hydrate and nourish the skin – before you lock it in with moisturiser.
Shop Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Serum Toner at Lookfantastic, £35
Bioderma Atoderm Cream
A brilliant, deeply moisturising body cream, keep this on hand for regular use. Fragrance-free, it doesn’t irritate eczema-prone skin but absorbs surprisingly quickly, meaning you can get dressed or hop into bed without much drying time.
Clinique Take The Day Off Facial Cleansing Mousse with HA + 10% Glycerin
It’s not just moisturisers that can utilise the moisturising benefits of glycerin. This cleansing mousse is enriched with glycerin and hyaluronic acid, to allow the formula to gently hydrate as it purifies, minimising feelings of dryness post-cleanse.
Shop Clinique Take The Day Off Facial Cleansing Mousse with HA + 10% Glycerin at Lookfantastic, £27
Skin Rocks The Moisturiser
Formulated with a glycerin base, this rich moisturiser floods the skin with hydration – thanks to a blend of ceramides, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid and squalane. Expect plumper, softer skin after just one use.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Anti-Dark Spot Radiance Serum
Ideal for brightening the skin, this soothing serum tackles areas of hyperpigmentation while a base of olive squalane and glycerin work to soothe and hydrate the skin.
Shop Caudalie Vinoperfect Anti-Dark Spot Radiance Serum at Space NK, £52
Images: courtesy of brands
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