Glycerine: What it is, why it helps skin health, and how to use it (2024)

By Ariana Watson

What is glycerine?

Glycerine, also spelled as glycerin and known as glycerol, is an odorless and colorless liquid that can be found in nature. It’s typically made from vegetable or animal fat, but can be made synthetically as well. However, at Camille Beckman we pride ourselves in using all natural, kosher glycerine in our products.

What makes it good for the skin?

Glycerine is a humectant, which is a substance that retains moisture. Humectants work by drawing moisture from the air and delivering it to the skin. Because of it’s moisturizing abilities, glycerine helps prevent wrinkles, breakouts, and improves the overall health of the skin.

What does glycerine do to your body?

  • Performs as a natural moisturizer
  • Repairs damaged skin
  • Aids in repairing skin tissue and healing scars
  • Prevents wrinkles and fine lines
  • Treats skin infections

How can glycerine help relieve dry skin?

Glycerine’s moisturizing virtues make it a wonderful ingredient in skincare. It’s ability to retain moisture in the skin helps those with especially dry or cracked skin.

What are some ways I can use glycerine?

The ways in which glycerine can be used on the body doesn’t stop at just dry skin. Several other cosmetic benefits this liquid can be used to:

  • Cleanse the face
  • Help relieve psoriasis and eczema
  • Help heal cracked heels and hands
  • Help heal chapped lips
  • Help heal wounds due to its natural antiviral and bactericidal properties
  • Help with dandruff and dry, itchy scalp
  • Improve hair health

*Always dilute glycerine before using directly on the skin.

Can I use glycerine on my face?

Yes, glycerine is safe to use on the face and body. Because of its naturally moisturizing abilities, it can be found in many beauty products—it’s one of the main ingredients in our world famous Camille -Glycerine Hand Therapyand Silky Body Cream.

Can I use glycerine on my face everyday?

Yes. Glycerine can be used as a cleanser, toner and moisturizer.

Can I apply glycerine on my face at night?

Yes, glycerine can be safely used at night. If you would like to use at night, we recommend using it as described above, or, you can create your own glycerine overnight mask.

Can glycerin be applied directly to lips?

Yes. Glycerine is a wonderful substitute for chapstick. It’s moisturizing compounds help your lips lock in moisture so you won’t have to reapply glycerine the way you do with chapstick. For the best results, dilute glycerine with lemon juice apply in the evenings before bed.

Why does glycerine feel warm?

Glycerine bonds with the skin. Once it touches your skin, it begins to match your skin’s temperature, creating a warming effect.

Is glycerine good for hair growth?

Glycerine itself won’t make your hair grow, but it can aid in moisturizing hair, which can help with hair growth. The best way to grow hair is to create healthy hair. Glycerine helps hair lock in moisture to prevent hair breakage. However, since glycerine pulls moisture from its environment, it’s best to use glycerine for hair in humid environments. If you use glycerine on your scalp when it’s too dry outside, moisture can actually be drawn from your scalp, which can be damaging.


Tips for using glycerine on hair:

  • Always check the weather before using glycerine for your hair
  • Never use straight glycerine in your hair—always dilute with water first

The best ways to ensure healthy hair growth:

  • Moisturized hair
  • Get regular trims
  • Avoid hair dryers and flat irons

Is glycerine bad for hair?

If used correctly, glycerine boasts benefits for a healthy head of hair. Due to it’s humectant quality of pulling moisture from its environment, if applied directly to hair in a dry environment or without added water, glycerine can have a drying effect. This is because glycerine will pull moisture from your scalp instead of the air, which can actually dry your skin and lead to hair problems. If used correctly though, glycerine can aid in the health of hair.

Is glycerine good for scars?

Yes, glycerine can help reduce the appearance of scars. Many cosmetic brands use glycerine as a main ingredient in their acne scar healing products.

Does glycerine darken skin?

No, glycerine does not darken your skin. Glycerine is an ingredient that is actually found in some whitening products.

Does glycerine whiten skin?

The short answer is it can. However, it depends on how it is used. At Camille Beckman we do not encourage skin whitening, but many people still seek to lighten their natural skin tone. Products created to whiten skin oftentimes do contain glycerine. However, these products contain a variety of other ingredients, and Camille Beckman does not sell skin whitening products.

Is glycerine bad for you?

No, glycerine is considered to be safe to use. With any cosmetic, there is the chance that you may have sensitivities to the substance. While glycerine is considered to be safe for sensitive skin types, when applying straight glycerine to the skin, it’s wise to apply a small amount on a small patch of skin to ensure you do not have a reaction. Allergic reactions aren’t common, however it’s always best to test just in case.

Does glycerin have side effects?

If you have sensitivity to the glycerine, you may experience redness or irritation. It’s best not to use glycerine on the groin area, inside the mouth and nose, or near the eyes, unless the medication or cosmetic containing glycerine states otherwise.


Possible side effects include:

  • Redness
  • Irritation
  • Swelling and other allergic reaction symptoms

Reactions to glycerine for skincare purposes is rare, however, if you do experience any of these symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately.

Is rosewater and glycerin good for skin?

Both rosewater and glycerine have powerful moisturizing properties. That’s why we love our Glycerine Rosewater Hand Therapy and our Silky Body Cream for their restorative qualities.


Glycerine is an ingredient that can be found in a majority of the products we create here at Camille Beckman. Rest assured that the glycerine found in our products is kosher and natural, derived from plants. We don’t test on animals and take pride in creating wholesome, natural products with love and care.

Glycerine: What it is, why it helps skin health, and how to use it (2024)

FAQs

Glycerine: What it is, why it helps skin health, and how to use it? ›

Glycerin is a humectant, a type of moisturizing agent that pulls water into the outer layer of your skin from deeper levels of your skin and the air. In skin care products, glycerin is commonly used with occlusives, another type of moisturizing agent, to trap the moisture it draws into the skin.

What is the best way to use glycerin for skin? ›

Moisturiser: Add a few drops of glycerin to your regular moisturiser to improve its hydrating properties. Mix the two products in your palm before applying them evenly to your face and neck. This can help your skin retain moisture and feel soft and supple.

What happens if we directly apply glycerin on face? ›

You can use glycerin as a moisturizer but keep in mind that using only glycerin on the face might not be a good idea because it is thick. It attracts dust which may lead to acne and pimples. You should always dilute it. You can dilute it with water or a little bit of rose water before applying it to the face.

Does glycerin tighten skin? ›

Glycerin does wonders to calm, angered or irritated skin. It has a very cooling effect on the skin, that can help alleviate skin discomfort. Tightens and firms: Being a humectant, the moisture that it will draw to your skin will make it plumper, and tighter in a few weeks or even days.

Can glycerin remove dark spots? ›

This is possible because glycerin works as an exfoliator that removes dead skin cells, meaning that it can reduce the appearance of dark spots, age spots, and blemishes, the culprits of making your skin look uneven.

When not to use glycerin? ›

Although there don't appear to be many reported side effects, glycerin is a natural product, so there's always potential for an allergic reaction. If you experience redness, itching, or rash, stop using the product immediately.

Do you put glycerin on before or after moisturizer? ›

Using it as a toner can work wonders for your skin. However, make sure you don't use too much of it. Add a few drops of glycerin to half a cup of rose water. Gently dab it onto your skin before applying your moisturizer.

How long should I leave glycerin on my face? ›

Combine glycerin with raw honey to form a thick paste. Apply this mask to your face, leave it on for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off. This hydrating mask will leave your skin supple and glowing.

Can I use glycerin everyday? ›

Some perfumes and chemicals can dry out the skin, clog the pores or cause irritation. Glycerine will not clog pores or dry out the skin, and it's safe to use. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), glycerine is generally recognized as safe.

Can I sleep with glycerin on my face? ›

If your next question is, can we apply glycerin on your face overnight, the answer is yes! Glycerin is an outstanding humectant and emollient. It works by trapping water into the skin to keep it plump, soft and juicy! It also helps in imparting continuous nourishment while you are busy being Cinderella in your dreams!

What not to mix glycerin with? ›

Majority of products can be used with glycerin as this is inert. Mixing activities including retinol, niacinamide, skin care acids etc.. with glycerin-based products can reduce skin irritation. Not recommended to mix ascorbic acid with glycerin formulations as the latter has a higher pH level.

Is glycerin better than vaseline? ›

Choosing between Vaseline and glycerin depends on your skin's needs. Vaseline is a petroleum-based product that locks in moisture, while glycerin is a humectant that attracts water to the skin. If you need intense moisture, Vaseline may be more suitable. Glycerin is better for retaining hydration.

Is glycerin better than hyaluronic acid? ›

What Is Better – Glycerin or Hyaluronic Acid? Go for glycerin if you're looking to add moisture, bounce and balance. To lock in hydration you have, hyaluronic acid is the best go-to. HA is more likely to stop dry skin from getting worse, making it a great dry skin treatment, while glycerin adds moisture.

Can glycerine remove wrinkles? ›

Glycerin has anti-aging benefits - By bringing your skin's natural moisture to the surface, glycerin helps to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Glycerin acts as a natural preservative - When used in skincare products, it can be used as a preservative and solvent in products with herbal and botanical extracts.

Can I use glycerine under my eyes? ›

Eyes: Using glycerine as an under-eye cream at night, helps get rid of dark circles and leaves your under-eye skin fresh and smooth. It is better than most regenerating creams available in the market. Injuries: Glycerine helps in accelerating the healing process of injuries, be it big wounds or just bruises.

What are the side effects of glycerin? ›

Serious side effects of Glycerin

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

How do you use glycerin properly? ›

Follow all the directions on the label for proper use. Apply to the skin only. Avoid sensitive areas such as your eyes, inside your mouth/nose, and the vagin*l/groin area, unless the label or your doctor directs you otherwise.

Is it better to use glycerin at night or morning? ›

If your next question is, can we apply glycerin on your face overnight, the answer is yes! Glycerin is an outstanding humectant and emollient. It works by trapping water into the skin to keep it plump, soft and juicy! It also helps in imparting continuous nourishment while you are busy being Cinderella in your dreams!

Which is better glycerin or hyaluronic acid? ›

What Is Better – Glycerin or Hyaluronic Acid? Go for glycerin if you're looking to add moisture, bounce and balance. To lock in hydration you have, hyaluronic acid is the best go-to. HA is more likely to stop dry skin from getting worse, making it a great dry skin treatment, while glycerin adds moisture.

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