Besides the expensive skincare products in the market, some cost-effective ingredients are good for skin care. For example, glycerin for oily skin. Well, it is not a baseless claim. You can find glycerin in the list of ingredients for many skincare products.
But what is it that makes glycerin a part of skincare and beauty products? Well, for starters, its moisturizing properties have worked their magic on different skin and hair types. In addition to it, its wide usage in the beauty and skincare industry talks about its miraculous nature.
Let's dive into understanding more about glycerin and its benefits to get a clearer picture.
Why is Glycer Used in Skin Care?
Glycerin or glycerol is a popular natural humectant or hydration agent. It is a colorless and odorless liquid that is found in plant and animal sources. It is also easy to synthesize in labs. To be precise, glycerin is the byproduct that we get through the hydrolysis or saponification of animal and vegetable fats.
Experts recommend using glycerin for oily skin and in skin care products for its restorative properties. It is mostly used in lotions and hydrating face washes to protect the skin from getting dry. Furthermore, it is safe and mild in comparison to other hydrating elements like hyaluronic acid.
You might wonder how a mild, natural substance is better than other hydrants. So let's compare glycerin with hyaluronic acid in brief.
Which is better, Glycerin or Hyaluronic Acid?
To begin with, most moisturizing creams and hydrating products either use glycerin or hyaluronic acid as humectants. But according to skincare experts, glycerine is good for oily skin and is better than hyaluronic acid. The reason is glycerin has a smaller particle size in contrast to other hydrating agents that penetrate deeper into the skin.
Besides this, glycerin has other properties that fight skin problems like acne and help in rejuvenation. Nevertheless, studies also proved that many skincare formulations combine these ingredients for enhanced skincare and glow. So, it is better to choose a product that works for your skin and can have both these hydrating agents.
Now, let's have a look at the common advantages of using glycerin's skincare formulations.
Benefits Of Glycerin For Oily Skin and Dry Skin
Glycerin is a versatile ingredient that helps to improve skincare routines. Besides its popular humectant use, glycerin also improves overall skin health. Here is a list of a few of those benefits.
Hydrates the Skin
As mentioned above, glycerin helps to moisturize the skin. Being a hygroscopic substance, glycerin has great water attraction and retention properties. The hydrating properties of glycerin can help to moisturize dry skin and make it healthier.
While in the case of oily or greasy skin, people can replace their regular moisturizers with glycerin. The reason being this natural humectant will help in capturing moisture and give healthy skin in comparison to greasy moisturizers.
Control Pimples and Acne
People with oily skin often deal with acne and pimples. With attention to the antibacterial properties, glycerin is good for acne-prone skin. It primarily helps in oil control which is the main reason for acne, and its antimicrobial properties fight bacteria. Along with this, it helps to exfoliate skin and remove blackheads.
Many skin care experts suggest using glycerin for oily skin to clear out pimples and pimple scars. As glycerin is a non-comedogenic ingredient with anti-inflammation properties, it gives acne-free and clear skin.
Improves Skin Barrier and Permeability
Glycerin also helps to strengthen skin barriers. As mentioned earlier, it prevents water loss from the skin and also retains the skin-repair lipids. Glycerin contains vitamin E, which helps balance the skin's pH level naturally.
Applying glycerin can reduce water loss if you have dehydrated skin or your skin lacks moisture. Also, it repairs the skin barrier by hydrating it.
Has Anti-Aging Effect
You might have seen glycerin as a key ingredient in many anti-aging products. That is because glycerin or glycerol slows down skin aging. In fact, regular application of glycerin on the skin makes the skin glowing and healthy.
In totality, it helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines by maintaining skin hydration levels. If you are looking for a solution to reduce the signs of aging and improve skin texture, use products with glycerin.
Improves Skin Elasticity
Using glycerin for oily skin and dry skin helps to draw moisture from the surroundings to hydrate the skin. Because glycerin helps to achieve that water retention level that increases skin elasticity and reduces damage.
Also, it forms a natural barrier around the skin that prevents the depletion of collagen, making the skin plump.
Helps in Healing
Next on the list of benefits of glycerin for the skin is its healing properties. This ingredient's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties control infection and acne breakouts and give a speedy recovery. Try using glycerin to improve the natural defense barrier of your skin.
Additionally, it helps to fight modern-day pollution and irritants and boosts the essential skin barrier repair system.
5 Ways to Use Glycerin for Skin
It is evident that glycerin is versatile and suits different skin types. Unlike other hydrants, the long list of benefits that it has can make it fit skincare regimes in different ways. Here are five ways you can use glycerin for skin care.
As Skin Cleanser
Glycerin has cleansing and exfoliation properties. It is the star ingredient for many cleansing products that claim to soften skin and improve texture. A glycerin face wash for oily skin or dry skin helps clean the pores and penetrates through skin layers for deep hydration.
As Toner
Another important glycerin uses for oily skin is as a skin toner. Since glycerin helps lock moisture in the outer layers of the skin, it is an ingredient that also reduces the size of skin pores. Because its basic function is to retain water, it can tighten the skin pores, keeping the skin hydrated throughout.
As Moisturizer
Other than using glycerin soap for oily skin, you can use it to moisturize the skin. In contrast to other moisturizers available in the market, the formulations that have glycerin help in oil control. Besides this, they also make the skin healthier by minimizing water loss.
For Protection against UV rays
Take a look at your sunscreen ingredient list, and you might find glycerin in it. That is because glycerin forms a barrier against UV rays and reduces photoaging. Lookout for a sunscreen that has glycerin in them to protect the skin from the sun rays and UV damage.
For Skin Lightening
Glycerin also has a key role in rejuvenating the skin. It helps brighten the skin by naturally moisturizing and repairing it. Add products with glycerin to your skincare regime to improve skin complexion.
Also Read: 5 Best-Fragrance Free Soaps Your Sensitive Skin Will Love
Takeaways
All in all, studies and clinical experts state that glycerin is good for different skin types. Because it has moisturizing and oil-control properties, using glycerin for oily skin can give you freedom from many skin problems. Not to forget that this ingredient is mild and is better used in a diluted form it is safer for sensitive skin types.
Moreover, its use in skincare formulations saves you from the hassle of thinking about how to use glycerin for dry skin or oily skin. So, research a bit before investing in a skincare product, and ensure you are not allergic to products with glycerin.
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