GLYCERIN IS A SIMPLE COMPOUND with a big influence on skin hydration, cutaneous elasticity, and epidermal barrier health. Also known as glycerol, this colorless, odorless, nontoxic substance is celebrated for its hydrating properties, and has become a universal staple in many personal care products.
WHERE DOES GLYCERIN COME FROM?
Natural glycerin is extracted from plant oils or animal fats through saponification, a process where triglycerides are hydrolyzed, leaving glycerin and fatty acids. Synthetic glycerin is produced from petrochemicals (propylene), which, because of the extraction and production process, has not been a favorable source for personal care products.
WHAT IS GLYCERIN GOOD FOR?
Hydration
Glycerin is a powerful humectant, a type of moisturizing agent that draws water into the outer layer of your skin from deeper layers and also from the air. By doing this, it helps maintain the skin’s water balance on an intercellular level, ensuring the skin remains hydrated, soft, and supple.
Barrier Protection and Repair
By attracting moisture to the top layer of the skin, glycerin also plays a crucial role in reinforcing the skin’s barrier. A healthy skin barrier protects against potential irritants and harmful microbes while also preventing moisture loss. Regular use of glycerin-containing products can help repair the skin’s natural barrier, making it more resistant to external stressors.
Encouraging a Smooth Appearance
Hydration is a key player in healthy, vibrant skin. By providing hydration and improving barrier function, glycerin can help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, granting the skin a smoother appearance.
Accelerated Skin Healing
By delivering and drawing moisture into the skin, glycerin not only influences mechanical properties of the skin but also encourages skin healing properties. Topical application improves skin properties in diseases with dry skin and epidermal impairment (like atopic dermatitis).
