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It might be eternally hot AF in the Philippines, but there's no denying that we need our faces to be moisturized all year round—no skin type is exempted from this! And when it comes to moisturizing, we have well-known skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, but there is actually one more unsung hero in the game. Enter: Glycerin.
It might sound like an ingredient for food, but it's actually a lesser known—but just as effective—sister of the moisturizing MVPs we mentioned above. If one of your skincare goals this year is to have soft, bouncy, and glowing skin, it's worth including glycerin into your regimen.
Ahead, we give you the lowdown on glycerin, including what it is, how it differs from its sister hyaluronic acid, its benefits, and how to include it in your skin routine. P.S. Scroll down to the very end for a shopping list to get you started!
Keep on scrolling to learn more:
Table Of Contents
- What is glycerin?
- Glycerin vs Hyaluronic acid
- Glycerin skin benefits
- Glycerin side effects
- Glycerin skincare routine
- Glycerin skincare products
Everything You Need to Know About Glycerin
What is glycerin?
Glycerin is a humectant. It attracts water to the skin and helps it *retain* moisture. It can also penetrate deeper into the skin, according to cosmetic scientist Rachel Polowyj. "Due to its low molecular weight, [it] will continue to draw moisture to the deeper layers of the dermis. It has a molecular weight of approximately 92 g/mol, which means it is able to penetrate deep into the skin," she explained.
According to Snehal Amin, MD, glycerin is a clear, colorless liquid with a syrup-like consistency. This thickness allows it to mix easily with water and attract H2O from deep in the skin and the air.
How different is glycerin from hyaluronic acid?
Although they might do similar things, there are certain differences between glycerin and hyaluronic acid that are worth knowing about. If you want to add moisture and bounce to your skin, stick with glycerin-infused skincare products. Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, helps *lock* in the hydration into your skin.
Dr. Michele Green notes that glycerin is made up of smaller molecules compared to hyaluronic acid, which makes it easier to penetrate your skin barrier and really hydrate your skin, right down to your dermis!
Dan Belkin, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist, adds that hyaluronic acid is *more expensive* than glycerin, as it requires combining it with occlusive-type moisturizers to trap the hydration. "Hyaluronic acid is thinner and more liquidy than glycerin, and it also has less occlusive and emollient properties," he explains.
What are the benefits of glycerin on the skin?
- Hydration: Think of glycerin as a magnet—it draws and holds onto water. Its smaller molecular size allows it to deeply penetrate your skin, which makes it great for hydration and moisturizing.
- Smoothing: By attracting moisture to your skin, glycerin can gradually improve the appearance of dark marks and wrinkles over time, therefore giving your skin a ~*smoother*~ appearance.
- Protection: Glycerin has the ability to strengthen your skin's natural moisture barrier, which, in turn, helps protect it from environmental irritants like pollution and harsh weather.
- Safe for sensitive skin: Good news for people with sensitive skin—glycerin is non-comedogenic, which means it won't *clog* your pores!
What are the side effects of glycerin?
Good news: Glycerin has no known side effects—it's generally safe for use for all skin types. However, as with other skincare ingredients, it has a possibility of causing allergic reactions when used in high concentrations. This is why it's important to inform your dermatologist before adding anything new to your regimen!
How do I incorporate glycerin into my skincare routine?
Glycerin is available in a wide variety of different skincare product types such as facial washes, toners, serums, and most commonly, moisturizers. But since it serves to attract moisture and lock down hydration, we recommend using it in leave-on formats to allow it to sit on the skin and really do its job.
Best glycerin skincare products to use
1. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
This moisturizer under P500 is packed with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and more that will help you get the ~*glowiest*~ complexion of your life.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, P477, Lazada
2. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
It can feel icky to apply something as rich as a moisturizer in our climate, but we recommend choosing a gel-free formulation that doesn't feel as thick as a cream. Our top pick? This cult classic moisturizer from Kiehl's. One of its key ingredients is glycerin, which, as you know by now, is a *powerful* humectant that can really retain moisture.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream, P1,700, Lazada
3. Neutrogena The Transparent Facial Bar
If you're on the lookout for a new cleanser to try, we'd like to turn your attention to this humble bar by Neutrogena. This seemingly innocuous facial bar has a glycerin-rich formula that won't dry out your skin (unlike most facial bar soaps!). It's also non-comedogenic, so it won't clog your pores!
Neutrogena The Transparent Facial Bar, P399, Lazada
Links are updated regularly and as much as possible but note that products can run out of stock, discounts can expire, and listed prices can change without prior notice.
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