Roll Call

“Glycerin?”Here!glycerin, glycerol

HumectantConditioning agentVaries by source

Appears in 9 scanned products.

In personal care

A small, simple molecule with three water-loving arms, produced by splitting fats and oils (plant or animal) or made synthetically. It has been a staple of skincare and soap for over a century.

Why it’s used

A humectant — it pulls water from the air and from deeper skin layers to the surface, helping products feel less drying and skin feel softer. It also helps stabilize emulsions and can improve the texture of soaps and lotions.

What the evidence says

One of the most studied humectants in cosmetics. CIR has reviewed it as safe for use in cosmetic products. Occasional reports of mild irritation or a sticky feel exist at high concentrations, but no established safety concern at typical use levels.

Context

Works in both rinse-off and leave-on products. At very high concentrations in low-humidity conditions it can theoretically pull water out of skin rather than in, but this is not how it behaves at the levels used in commercial formulas.

Rumors

  1. Glycerin pulls water out of the skin in dry air, leaving it drier than before.

    Does not support — suggestivehealth and safety evidence

    A claim about humectants in low humidity as a group, not this substance alone.

    Measured as a biomarker.

    Who’s saying this

    • Bareskinnaturals — a brand: sells natural skincare products and skincare-making courses
      How we know who this is
      • “Bareskinnaturals was born out of a passionate desire to promote the use of natural and organic skin care products and to teach others how to do so, having personally experienced the amazingly profound benefits in using plants and plant extracts and other naturally derived ingredients in taking care of my skin and that of my family.” (their page)
      • “The aim of Bareskinnaturals is to bring you the Very Best Natural and Organic skin care classes using the most effective teaching/learning techniques where learning goes hand in glove with teaching, as well as the most effective and highly potent natural ingredients, to kindle and ignite your passion for making natural skin care products, and transform you from being a novice to becoming a pro in making natural skincare products.” (their page)

Where it shows up

and 5 more products