Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon UsesBenefitsPotential Side EffectsSafety and Effectiveness
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Uses
Benefits
Potential Side Effects
Safety and Effectiveness
Glycerin has humectant properties, which means it extracts water from the dermis (the underlying layer of the skin), pulling the water into the surface of the skin.
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Glycerin is often added to many different types of skincare products because it attracts moisture and improves the appearance of dry skin. But there are many other uses for glycerin.
One of the most common uses for glycerin today is its role in face and body moisturizers and other skincare products.
Glycerin for Eczema and PsoriasisGlycerin may be helpful for people with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Glycerin for Eczema and Psoriasis
Glycerin may be helpful for people with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Other Uses
In addition to being a humectant, glycerin is commonly used as a:
Benefits of Glycerin
There are many benefits of glycerin when used topically (on the skin). These include:
Although glycerin is not known to have many serious side effects, it’s always possible to have an adverse reaction to any substance.
Skin Patch TestGlycerin could cause signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, so it’s always important to do a skin patch test before using a product with glycerin for the first time.
Skin Patch Test
Glycerin could cause signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, so it’s always important to do a skin patch test before using a product with glycerin for the first time.
Contact dermatitis results from direct skin exposure to a specific chemical substance. Symptoms of contact dermatitis may include:
If you have any type of skin rash, redness of the skin, or itching after applying a skin product with glycerin, discontinue its use right away. If the rash doesn’t go away, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider.
Other Side Effects
Other side effects of glycerin may include dehydration of the skin. As a humectant, glycerin draws water from the nearest source. Especially in low-humidity conditions, the nearest source of water is the lower levels of your skin. This can dehydrate the skin.
Severe dehydration of the skin could result in blistering. For this reason, it’s a good idea to dilute pure glycerin before using it on your face and skin.
Rosewater and GlycerinSome natural-product experts encourage the use of rosewater to dilute glycerin because rosewater is known to naturally hydrate the skin.
Rosewater and Glycerin
Some natural-product experts encourage the use of rosewater to dilute glycerin because rosewater is known to naturally hydrate the skin.
Study on Side Effects of Glycerin
In a randomized, double-blind study, participants with atopic dermatitis were treated with one of three different treatments for 30 days:
1. A moisturizing cream with 20% glycerin
2. A moisturizing cream without glycerin (placebo)
3. Skin cream with 4% urea and 4% sodium chloride
Adverse skin reactions—such as a sharp local superficial sensation called smarting—were found to be significantly less among the study participants who used the moisturizing cream with glycerin, as compared with the placebo cream or the urea-saline cream.
Safety
Effectiveness
According to a 2016 study, glycerin is the most effective humectant in comparison with numerous other types of humectants, including:
A Word From Verywell
Although glycerin is considered safe and effective for most people, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s skin (and body) is different. What works well for one person is not always effective for someone else. Also, there is always a risk that any type of skincare product could cause side effects (such as an allergic reaction).
Always read and follow the label instructions carefully when using glycerin (or any other skincare products).
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fluhr, J.W., Bornkessel, A., Berardesca, E. Scientific Spectator.Glycerol — just a moisturizer? Biological and biophysical effects.Fluhr JW, Darlenski R, Surber C.Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions.Br J Dermatol. 2008;159(1):23-34.doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08643.xAmerican Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Skin allergy overview.Lodén M, Andersson A-C, Anderson C, et al.A double-blind study comparing the effect of glycerin and urea on dry, eczematous skin in atopic patients. Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 2002;82(1):45-47. doi:10.1080/000155502753600885Fluhr, J.W., Bornkessel, A., Berardesca, E. Scientific Spectator.Glycerol — just a moisturizer? Biological and biophysical effects.Sethi A, Kaur T, Malhotra S, Gambhir M.Moisturizers: The slippery road. Indian J Dermatol. 2016;61(3):279. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.1824277
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fluhr, J.W., Bornkessel, A., Berardesca, E. Scientific Spectator.Glycerol — just a moisturizer? Biological and biophysical effects.Fluhr JW, Darlenski R, Surber C.Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions.Br J Dermatol. 2008;159(1):23-34.doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08643.xAmerican Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Skin allergy overview.Lodén M, Andersson A-C, Anderson C, et al.A double-blind study comparing the effect of glycerin and urea on dry, eczematous skin in atopic patients. Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 2002;82(1):45-47. doi:10.1080/000155502753600885Fluhr, J.W., Bornkessel, A., Berardesca, E. Scientific Spectator.Glycerol — just a moisturizer? Biological and biophysical effects.Sethi A, Kaur T, Malhotra S, Gambhir M.Moisturizers: The slippery road. Indian J Dermatol. 2016;61(3):279. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.1824277
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Fluhr, J.W., Bornkessel, A., Berardesca, E. Scientific Spectator.Glycerol — just a moisturizer? Biological and biophysical effects.Fluhr JW, Darlenski R, Surber C.Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions.Br J Dermatol. 2008;159(1):23-34.doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08643.xAmerican Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Skin allergy overview.Lodén M, Andersson A-C, Anderson C, et al.A double-blind study comparing the effect of glycerin and urea on dry, eczematous skin in atopic patients. Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 2002;82(1):45-47. doi:10.1080/000155502753600885Fluhr, J.W., Bornkessel, A., Berardesca, E. Scientific Spectator.Glycerol — just a moisturizer? Biological and biophysical effects.Sethi A, Kaur T, Malhotra S, Gambhir M.Moisturizers: The slippery road. Indian J Dermatol. 2016;61(3):279. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.1824277
Fluhr, J.W., Bornkessel, A., Berardesca, E. Scientific Spectator.Glycerol — just a moisturizer? Biological and biophysical effects.
Fluhr JW, Darlenski R, Surber C.Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions.Br J Dermatol. 2008;159(1):23-34.doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08643.x
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Skin allergy overview.
Lodén M, Andersson A-C, Anderson C, et al.A double-blind study comparing the effect of glycerin and urea on dry, eczematous skin in atopic patients. Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 2002;82(1):45-47. doi:10.1080/000155502753600885
Sethi A, Kaur T, Malhotra S, Gambhir M.Moisturizers: The slippery road. Indian J Dermatol. 2016;61(3):279. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.1824277
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