Glycerin - What does it do for skin health?

Glycerin is one of the most used ingredients in skincare products designed to moisturize the skin.

In terms of structure, it is a small molecule that includes three alcohol functions (or trialcohol).

Very often used in skincare products, glycerin has an essential physiological role. Indeed, it is the framework on which can be fastened one, two or three fatty acid chains and thus form mono, di or triglycerides, which constitute the main part of natural animal and vegetable fats. Besides, these glycerides participate in the cell organisation and are part of the structure of biological membranes.

In addition to the constitutive role of glycerides, glycerin has intrinsic properties which make it a major ingredient in dermatological skin care products.

Its most known property is its hygroscopic potential, in other words, its capacity to draw water. This property makes it one of the most effective humectants, if not the most effective, in skincare products. It allows to attract water in the layers of the skin and fight against dry skin.

This ability to draw water is all the more effective when glycerin is applied in a wet atmosphere. If the relative humidity rate is over 70%, then the water which is attracted to the skin comes from the environment. In a drier environment, the water can be captured from the deepest layers of the skin. In any case, it it necessary to ensure a sufficient contribution in water to optimize the action of the glycerin, by being in a wet environment (a bathroom after a shower is a good place to optimize the action of the glycerin during its application), and by ensuring an optimal skin hydration (drinking water will help skin moisturizing in any case).

Glycerin also has emollient properties: it softens the skin and gives it a better aspect.

In addition, recent studies have shown that glycerin may have a role in the maturation of corneocytes, which could have an important role in the control of skin cell renewal. This could influence in a very positive way the evolution of conditions such as psoriasis, which is due to renewal of skin cells that occurs too fast.

When combined with Skintifique's exclusive technology ActivifiqueTM, much higher quantities of glycerin can be used than in standard moisturizers, without getting the usual sticky or prickly side effects, and its action can be bolstered and extended over time.

It is for these reasons that natural glycerin has been selected by Skintifique scientists for use in several products; in short it passes the extremely strict criteria list used for all Skintifique products (to learn more: Our Philosophy).