What Are The Real Benefits Of Glycerin Beauty Products?

If you haven't heard or seen about glycerin, you're about to. The beauty ingredient is appearing in more and more skincare products, and, according to industry insiders, it comes with a whole host of benefits. If you take a look in your beauty drawer, there's a good chance you'll find glycerin hidden in your cleansers, moisturizers, body wash and more, but what exactly does it actually do?

As Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City, told Allure, "Glycerin is essentially like a sponge that pulls in water to the outer skin layer. It can attract water from the deeper skin layers or even the air in humid environments." In other words, it acts as a magnet for moisture, preventing dryness and making it ideal for all skin types.

Also referred to as glycerine and glycerol, glycerin has been known to soften and smooth skin. According to cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski, "Glycerin can actually signal your superficial skin cells to mature more rapidly," removing the dead skin cells and promoting a more healthy-looking complexion. When used in a cleanser, Zeichner believes it can even assist in retaining hydration, and Healthline claims it can act as a barrier to skin irritants, as well as aid healing.

Vogue believes the way to integrate glycerin into your skincare routine is to simply look for products that contain it. Check the products you own first before you invest in anything new and prioritize those that contain glycerin to see if you notice a difference in your complexion. While you can find glycerin in most soaps, when it comes to your skincare routine, a glycerin moisturizer is the obvious first choice; however, Vogue suggests a glycerin face mask will achieve the same results.

As with any skincare product, if you experience any irritation or sensitivity, discontinue use immediately.