Glycerin - the elixir of youth and health for your skin

Glycerin is one of the most popular ingredients in cosmetic products, especially valued for its moisturising properties. A typical skin care routine rarely goes without it – it is found in body lotions, creams for dry skin, anti-wrinkle creams and creams for mature skin.

So why is glycerin so good for our skin?

According to dermatologists, glycerin has 4 main properties.

1. Glycerin moisturises dry skin.
2. Glycerin improves the condition of the skin's surface, helping the skin to effectively perform its protective function for our internal organs.
3. Glycerin protects against skin irritation or helps the skin recover after contact with irritants.
4. Glycerin can speed up the skin's healing process after various mechanical injuries.

Is glycerin harmful?

What is glycerin?

Glycerin (also known as glycerol) is a natural component of fats. This substance is found in both animal products and vegetables.

Glycerin is extremely useful in skin care because it helps the skin absorb water from the environment and from skin care products. In creams for dry and mature skin, it is this ingredient that helps provide intensive hydration not only on the surface of the skin but also in its deeper layers.

What is the best way to use products with glycerin?

The way glycerin works is very simple – it helps the skin absorb water from the nearest source of moisture. Dermatologists note that glycerin hydrates the skin best when used in rooms with humid air, after (or while) washing the skin, and together with lotions that contain a high percentage of water (such as rose water). Glycerin then helps the skin absorb water from these sources.

Which products contain glycerin?

Creams for mature skin

The older our skin, the harder it is for it to retain moisture. This is because skin ageing leads to a loss of the skin's natural lipids. It is these lipids that help "lock" water into skin cells, keeping the skin elastic and healthily hydrated. That is why creams for mature skin focus primarily on hydration, improving skin elasticity and slowing down the formation of wrinkles.

Anti-wrinkle creams

Anti-wrinkle creams usually contain hyaluronic acid. This acid intensively moisturises the skin, making it more elastic and slowing down the formation of wrinkles. However, some anti-wrinkle creams also contain glycerin, which further boosts the hydration of dry skin and supports skin care.

Creams for dry skin

Moisturising creams for dry skin usually contain glycerin. It is one of the most popular ingredients in face creams and lotions worldwide. Caring for dry skin can be made harder by external factors such as sun, wind or cold, so creams with glycerin for dry skin should be part of your skin care routine all year round.

Body lotions and shower gels

Glycerin is often used to moisturise the skin of the whole body, which is why it is a popular ingredient in body lotions, shower creams and body washes. These products are best used in the bathroom, where the high humidity helps glycerin moisturise the skin. Some shower gels also contain a small amount of glycerin to help the skin absorb water from the shower.

Hand creams

Although hand creams come in different types (moisturising, nourishing, protecting against environmental factors), many of them contain glycerin. This ingredient helps keep the skin of the hands supple and protects it from cracking and other mechanical damage. By keeping the skin in good condition, hand creams also protect our body from bacteria and viruses that could enter through damaged or cracked skin.

So glycerin is an extremely popular ingredient in many skin care products. It is especially beneficial for dry, mature or irritated skin and is favoured by many dermatologists. That is why we recommend checking the ingredients of cosmetic products when choosing a face cream, body lotion or shower gel – especially if you suffer from dry skin or spend a lot of time in cold weather or in the sun.

Posted by Aušrinė Vaičiūtė

Our recommendation. For sensitive, dry hands, choose Eubos Sensitive repairing hand cream with glycerin, panthenol and urea.