Here Is Why Using Glycerin On Your Face Can Be A Game Changer

By Anupriya Jamuar

 

One ingredient that you’ll surely see in most moisturisers, serums and lotions besides water and fragrances is the good ’ol glycerin. Being a humectant, glycerin tends to attract and trap water from the atmosphere or the deeper layers of your skin to hydrate your epidermis (your skin’s outermost layer). This ensures that your skin is nourished, plump and soft. Infact, using glycerin for your face is one of the most effective ingredients in the world of skincare to hydrate and moisturise the skin. So, naturally, it is also one ingredient you shouldn’t skip.

 

We take you deeper into the multiple uses of glycerin and how to incorporate it into your skincare routine.

 

Glycerin for your face: Yay or nay?

 

It seems like the popularity of the ingredient is warranted as it contains a powerhouse of skin benefits like:

• A humectant that attracts moisture into your skin
• Aids in repairing your skin barrier that’s been compromised due to dryness
• Accelerates healing time for wounds post-acne
• Acts as a protection against skin irritation
• Keeps dryness at bay

Glycerin benefits for acne-prone skin: Does it calm your skin?

 

If you’re suffering from acne, it generally indicates towards a compromised skin barrier and potentially irritated skin. So, glycerin is a great ingredient to add to your skincare products as it deeply soothes and calms your skin.

 

Glycerin also helps to speed up your skin’s recovery time post-acne. Another reason why using glycerin is so great for acne-prone skin is due to its anti-bacterial properties which minimizes skin irritation and helps reduce breakouts.

 

Also, keep in mind that oily skin can also get dry as the sebum your skin produces does’nt hydrate it. So, we would suggest you kill two birds with one and use a lightweight gel moisturiser that as glycerin.

 

Does glycerin brighten your skin tone?

 

While glycerin helps to improve your sin’s overall health, it does not have skin lightening properties. Though, why glycerin is said to brighten skin tone is more because of its exfoliating properties that help achieve that glazed, healthy glow.

 

As glycerin is a powerful humectant, it keeps your skin hydrated which gives it that glass skin glow or that glazed look that every healthy, bouncy skin sports.

 

Read Next: Glycerin moisturisers you should grab

What are some lesser-known glycerin benefits?

 

While now we all know that using glycerin is great for dry skin, let’s dive into the lesser-known benefits of glycerin that we often forget

1. Temporarily reduces skin discomfort: Glycerin has a calming effect on your skin so if you’ve somehow irritated it, then glycerin is used to soothe.
2. Smoothens skin texture: It improves the appearance of your skin by reducing those annoying bumps and large pores.
3. Improves complexion: Not only does glycerin have some exfoliating properties that helps in brightening your skin, it is also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores.
4. Friendly ingredient: Unlike sensitive actives, glycerin is a gentle and skin-friendly ingredient that pairs well with most other skin ingredients so you can layer is stress-free.
5. Slows down ageing: Because glycerin works to enhance the overall health of your skin, it reduces the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and pores to give your skin a glow even as your skin matures.

Read Next: How you can win winter with glycerin cleansers

The do’s and don’ts of using glycerin

 

Now that we’ve indulged into the benefits, usages and do’s of glycerin; here’s what you should avoid while using glycerin:

• Never apply undiluted glycerin on your face directly. Always dilute it first before applying.
• It you’re using it outside of your serums and moisturisers, say if you’re diluting glycerin with rose water and patting in on your skin like a toner, make sure to wash it off after some time as it might attract dust due to its sticky nature.
• Make sure you’re using a hydrating moisturiser with glycerin, otherwise it will pull moisture out of your deeper skin layers, dehydrating your skin more.

 

Get your burning glycerin questions answered

 

Q. Can I use glycerin every day? 
- Yes, it is a skin safe ingredient. Just make sure if you’re DIYing it then dilute it first before patting it on. We recommend looking for serums and moisturisers that already contains the ingredient to make it hassle-free.

 

Q. Does glycerin make lips pink? 
- Due to its humectant nature, it keeps your lips from getting chapped which means they stay plump and soft.

 

Q. Does glycerin whitens the skin? 
- No, however glycerin does have exfoliating properties so, it will brighten the skin making it look radiant.