Researching the latest trendy skincare ingredients can be exhausting. But glycerin is a skincare staple that transcends any gimmicks. Here’s everything you need to know about this tried-and-true skin moisturizer.
Glycerin occurs naturally in skin and is also a common and effective skin care ingredient. Also called glycerin or glycerol, it can be extracted from plants or animals or synthesized.
“Glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture from the environment into the skin to hydrate it,” explains Ramya Gallapati, M.D., a Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist, certified makeup artist, and co-founder of Skin Medicinals. “Its low molecular weight also gives it the added benefit of penetrating deeper layers of the skin for deeply hydrating benefits.”
Glycerin is commonly found in moisturizers, creams, and serums, but according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu, “it doesn’t need to be in high concentrations to effectively hydrate the skin.”
That said, glycerin is often listed second after water on the ingredients list of moisturizers and serums. You can easily tell if your product is moisturizing by checking if glycerin is among the first three ingredients. “On the ingredients list of skin care products, ingredients are listed from highest to lowest concentration, so if glycerin is one of the first few ingredients listed, it’s safe to say that the product has a high concentration of glycerin and is highly moisturizing,” explains Garlapati.
Glycerin is a moisturizing ingredient on its own, but it works even better when combined with other moisturizing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vegetable oils, and emollients like petrolatum.
Moisturized skin is one of the most direct paths to “anti-aging” results. When skin is well hydrated, it appears plumper and firmer, with fewer wrinkles and fine lines. Using an ultra-moisturizing ingredient like glycerin helps skin soak up all that moisture with the visible results that come with it. Glycerin helps keep skin softer and stronger by hydrating the skin barrier and protecting it from environmental aggressors.
Garlapati says the ingredient is well tolerated and suitable for all skin types, and the dermatologist adds that it “has no known interactions with other topical products, making it easy to incorporate into any skin care routine.”
With that in mind, check out 14 editor- and expert-approved skin care products with glycerin, starting at just $3.
This juicy serum smoothes, plumps, and hydrates skin with a blend of super skincare ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids, and vitamin E. It’s like giving your skin a rejuvenating injection, and the good news is that it’s available at the drugstore.
Glycerin tops the list of ingredients in this new eye serum. This anti-aging treatment reduces the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet with just the right amount of retinol and hydrating squalane. When applied to the delicate under-eye area, it feels smooth and comfortable, but not heavy. I also dab some on my smile lines, just to be safe.
Dr. Jart+’s popular moisturizer is formulated with five ceramides, panthenol, and glycerin to strengthen the skin’s barrier and prevent moisture loss. Its rich texture creates a cushion-like base to keep skin hydrated all day, making it a great choice for prepping for makeup.
Perfect for those with oily or combination skin or who prefer a lighter moisturizer, the formula softens and hydrates with glycerin (second on the ingredients list), a ceramide-enhancing barrier repair complex, and a fast-acting moisturizing complex. This was my go-to daytime moisturizer last spring.
Botnia’s natural beauty approach is all about simplicity, and this serum contains just eight ingredients, including organic vegetable glycerin, rose geranium and hyaluronic acid, which feel light on skin and provide much-needed hydration.
Keep it simple by using just vegetable glycerin. You can add this moisturizer as a booster to your favorite moisturizer or serum, or apply it straight from the bottle. According to Garlapati, “Vegetable glycerin is the type of glycerin used in most skin care products.” With over 37,000 ratings, this popular option is an affordable way to upgrade your skincare (it can even be used in DIY bath and body products).
Plump, bright skin starts with a healthy skin barrier, and Gallapati says this moisturizer is “a great option for repairing or maintaining the skin barrier.” According to the dermatologist, the cream contains glycerin and lipids that hydrate and moisturize the skin.
Liu is a “fan of dual-purpose SPF products that treat your skin while you wear it,” like this clear, radiant sunscreen that doubles as a makeup base. “It’s lightweight, yet moisturizing with glycerin, squalane, and aloe to promote healthy-looking skin,” Liu says. “I love the elegant, dewy finish that leaves it radiant without looking shiny or oily.”
“This anti-ageing cream is rich in glycerin and lipids, with a lipid ratio of 2% ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol and 2% fatty acids. It has been shown to help restore the skin’s natural barrier function and enhance overall radiance,” says Gallapati. “It also smells amazing.”
The serum is packed with 30% glycerin, which, as founder Lisa Guerra explained in a TikTok, does more than just moisturize: At higher concentrations, it can protect against irritation and help repair the skin barrier, Guerra says.
Liu recommends this affordable cream as a daily moisturizer: “The glycerin locks in moisture for long periods, while the hyaluronic acid and peptides nourish and plump the skin,” she says.
Liu recommends this nourishing body cream with glycerin, urea, and lactic acid, which she says is good for all skin types and is “the perfect combination of ingredients for dry or ashy skin.”
This moisturizer supports “skin longevity” with a blend of proprietary peptides and proven skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and glycerin. Created for mature skin, OS-01 peptides work to reduce the amount of damaged skin cells that weaken the surrounding cells.
The moisturizing properties of glycerin are great for your scalp and hair. Liu says that this leave-in scalp treatment, which contains niacinamide and glycerin, “is great for treating dry, irritated skin and hair. [the] Scalp & Support [a] A healthy skin barrier for hair growth.”
