What Is Glycerin and What Are Its Skincare Benefits?
Glycerin is a popular skincare ingredient that you might have heard of but not fully understood. It’s a powerful moisturizer used in many skincare products.
Let’s explore what glycerin is and why it’s so good for your skin.
What Exactly Is Glycerin?
Glycerin, also called glycerol, is a natural substance found in healthy skin. It can be made from plants, animals, or synthetically in labs.
This versatility makes glycerin easy to include in creams, lotions, serums, and cleansers.
It is known as a humectant, which means it pulls moisture from the air and locks it into your skin. This property helps keep skin hydrated throughout the day and night.
Why Is Glycerin Important for Skin Hydration?
Our skin naturally produces something called Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF). These are substances that help skin hold onto water and stay soft. Glycerin acts like these NMFs by mimicking their function.
As we age, our skin loses some of its natural moisture, which leads to dryness and dullness. Glycerin helps replenish this moisture and nourishes the skin, keeping it healthy and glowing.
Key Benefits of Glycerin in Skincare
Intense Hydration: Glycerin attracts moisture from the air and locks it into the skin, making it feel soft and supple.
Works Well with Other Ingredients: It pairs perfectly with oils and emollients, boosting skin softness.
Strengthens Skin Barrier: Glycerin helps rebuild the skin’s natural barrier, which protects against irritants.
Protects from Environmental Damage: It shields skin from pollution, UV rays, and other harmful factors.
Improves Skin Texture: Regular use reduces roughness and helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
Enhances Product Absorption: Hydrated skin absorbs serums and creams better, improving their effectiveness.
Who Can Use Glycerin?
One of the best things about glycerin is that it’s suitable for all skin types. Whether your skin is dry, oily, sensitive, or combination, glycerin can help maintain moisture balance.
It is especially helpful during seasonal changes. When the air gets colder and drier, glycerin ensures your skin doesn’t lose too much moisture.
How Is Glycerin Used in Skincare Products?
Glycerin is often combined with other moisturizing agents in creams, lotions, and serums. Because it’s so effective at holding water, it’s considered one of the best humectants by skincare experts.
Other common humectants include:
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (like glycolic and lactic acid)
Propylene glycol and butylene glycol
Hyaluronic acid
Sorbitol
Urea
Among these, glycerin stands out because it is gentle, affordable, and powerful.
Does Glycerin Help With Anti-Aging?
Glycerin isn’t an anti-aging ingredient by itself. However, it plays a big role in preventing and reducing early signs of aging.
When your skin lacks moisture, fine lines and wrinkles become more visible. Glycerin’s ability to pull water into the skin plumps it up, making these lines less obvious.
It also helps protect skin from free radicals and damage caused by UV rays and pollution. These factors can weaken your skin’s protective barrier and speed up aging.
By restoring moisture and strengthening the barrier, glycerin keeps skin healthy, smooth, and youthful-looking.
Can I Use Glycerin Every Day?
Yes! Glycerin is gentle enough to use daily, even on sensitive skin. It helps skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture from the environment and deeper skin layers.
If you’re using pure glycerin, it’s best to apply a thick layer and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing. This prevents dryness from over-application.
Most skincare products have glycerin diluted properly, so you can safely leave them on overnight.
Are There Any Side Effects of Glycerin?
Glycerin is generally very safe, but like any ingredient, some people might have reactions.
Possible side effects include redness, itching, or rash. These usually happen if you’re allergic or have very sensitive skin.
To avoid this, always do a patch test before using a new product containing glycerin. Apply a small amount to your skin and wait 24 hours to check for any reaction.
If you notice irritation, stop using the product and try a formula with less glycerin or none at all.
Why Is Glycerin So Popular in Skincare?
Glycerin’s popularity continues to grow because it offers excellent hydration without being heavy or greasy.
It’s found in many products like moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and body lotions because it suits all skin types and helps skin look healthier.
By diminishing fine lines, smoothing texture, and strengthening the skin barrier, glycerin improves overall skin appearance.
How Does Glycerin Help Skin During Seasonal Changes?
When weather changes, especially in winter, skin often becomes dry and flaky. Glycerin helps by locking moisture in, keeping skin soft even when the air is dry.
This hydration boost prevents tightness and irritation caused by cold weather or indoor heating.
How to Choose the Right Glycerin Products
Look for products where glycerin is one of the main ingredients. This ensures you get its full hydrating benefits.
If you have dry skin, choose formulas that combine glycerin with oils or creams for extra nourishment.
For oily skin, lightweight gels or lotions with glycerin work well without clogging pores.
How to Use Glycerin Effectively in Your Routine
Apply glycerin-containing products to clean, damp skin to help lock in moisture.
Layer moisturizer over glycerin for best results.
Use it morning and night if your skin feels dry, but adjust based on your skin’s needs.
Avoid using too much pure glycerin alone as it may pull moisture out if the air is very dry.
Final Thoughts on Glycerin
Glycerin is a skincare powerhouse you might have overlooked. It deeply hydrates, protects, and improves skin texture.
Its gentle nature makes it perfect for everyday use across all skin types.
With glycerin in your moisturizer or serum, your skin will feel soft, smooth, and refreshed — ready to glow every day.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
