The truth for those who avoid glycerin

Is glycerin bad for your skin?

It is said that the most commonly used ingredient in cosmetics is water, followed by fragrance and glycerin.

Because of its moisturizing effect, it is a very common ingredient in moisturizing skin care products such as lotions and milks.

It has a long history of use and a guaranteed safety record. In terms of moisturizing effects, some studies have shown it to be one of the most effective ingredients for retaining moisture on the skin surface, making it a highly reliable ingredient.

However, recently there has been an increase in skin care products advertising themselves as "glycerin-free." Why is this the case, when glycerin is known worldwide as a safe ingredient?

This article provides a detailed explanation of glycerin, its effects, and points to be aware of.
I hope this will help you correctly determine whether you really need "glycerin-free" products.

What is glycerin?

First of all, what exactly is glycerin?

Glycerin, also known as "glycerol," is a natural compound obtained from vegetable oils and animal fats.
It is a colorless, transparent, odorless, syrupy liquid with a slightly sweet taste.

In cosmetics , it is used as a humectant , drawing in moisture from deep within the skin and from the air to enhance moisture on the skin's surface.
A 2016 study showed that, along with PG, BG and hyaluronic acid, it is one of the most effective moisturizing ingredients for increasing the moisture content on the skin's surface.

References
Why is PG (Propylene Glycol) Used in Skin Care Products?
Why BG is in many cosmetics and its safety

Glycerin is good for your skin

Glycerin is included in many skin care products because it is safe and has many proven benefits, including :

• Moisturizes the stratum corneum
• Enhances the skin's barrier function
• Protection from irritation
• Promotes wound healing
• Relieves dry skin
• Alleviation of skin diseases caused by impaired skin barrier function, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis

Additionally, a 2017 study showed that a combination of glycerin, hyaluronic acid , and Centella Asiatica extract (CICA) may improve skin barrier function for 24 hours after application.

Glycerin may cause irritation

As I have written so far, glycerin has excellent moisturizing effects and improves barrier function.

Although it is highly safe, it is true that in very rare cases, some people experience irritation from glycerin. However, we are beginning to understand why this is the case.

Irritation is most likely to occur when glycerin is used undiluted.

That's because glycerin attracts moisture from near itself.
When the air is dry, there may not be enough moisture in the air, which can pull moisture from the lower layers of your skin.

If the concentration of glycerin used is too high, or if your skin is already very dry, the attraction of moisture to the skin can actually make it drier, resulting in irritation.

Glycerin is said to be virtually irritating at concentrations up to 50% .
Glycerin is not usually mixed into cosmetics at high concentrations such as 50%. Therefore, it is important to be careful when using glycerin in its undiluted form.

Some people may use it undiluted when making homemade cosmetics.

However, there have been cases where people have developed blisters after using undiluted glycerin. For this reason, it is safer to use cosmetics that contain the appropriate concentration, rather than a high concentration.

What about allergy risks?

Glycerin is a natural product, so there is a possibility that it may cause an allergic reaction .

However, there have been very few cases of contact allergies in the past 30 years, and there is no mention of an allergic risk in the medical literature .

This is because glycerin is not a molecular size large enough to trigger an immune response, making it biologically impossible for an allergic reaction to occur.

In other words, the general consensus is that if redness, itching, or rash occurs, it is most likely due to skin irritation caused by the use of high concentrations of glycerin.

summary

No matter how safe a cosmetic ingredient is, if used incorrectly it can cause skin problems.

The same goes for glycerin: a higher concentration does not necessarily mean it is more effective.

It is wise to avoid using glycerin in its original form. Instead, it is best to choose cosmetics that have a strong moisturizing effect and are formulated with an appropriate formula.