CosmeticBet
Water-binders

Glycerin

INCI: GLYCERIN · also Glycerol, Glycerine

A water magnet your skin already knows.

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C3H8O392.09 g/mol
oxygencarbonhydrogen
3D shape from PubChem 753

How common

All products56%
In face moisturisers89%
In body lotions87%
In sunscreens77%

8,239 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 3 of all the names found on their labels.

What it is

  • A simple alcohol with three hydroxyl groups (a polyol). Your skin has its own glycerin, which helps keep it hydrated and elastic.

    2 sourcesHide
    Glycerol is a trihydroxy alcohol that has been included for many years in topical dermatological preparations[1] Review · 2008 · open source
    endogenous glycerol plays a role in skin hydration, cutaneous elasticity and epidermal barrier repair[1] Review · 2008 · open source

Why it is in products

  • To hold water: it is a humectant, which means it draws water to itself.

    2 sourcesHide
    hair conditioning agent, humectant[2] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2019 · open source
    a mechanism that implies its hygroscopic properties[3] Study · 2010 · open source

  • It is also listed as a skin protectant, a hair conditioner and a way to make thick formulas runnier.

    SourceHide
    Glycerin functions as a denaturant, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, humectant, oral care agent, oral health-care drug, skin protectant, skin conditioning agent-humectant, and viscosity-decreasing agent.[2] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2019 · open source

What it does

  • Makes the outer layer of the skin hold more water.

    Well establishedskin2 sourcesHide
    improvement of stratum corneum hydration, skin barrier function and skin mechanical properties[1] Review · 2008 · open source
    Glycerol creates a stimulus for barrier repair and improves the stratum corneum hydration[4] Study · 1999 · open source

  • Helps skin recover after damage. In tests it sped up barrier repair after tape-stripping and after washing with a harsh detergent; another study saw quick rehydration but no faster barrier repair.

    Good evidenceskin3 sourcesHide
    In study 1 a faster barrier repair (transepidermal water loss) was monitored in glycerol-treated sites.[4] Study · 1999 · open source
    In study 2 a faster barrier repair was seen in glycerol-treated sites[4] Study · 1999 · open source
    enhancing skin hydration but without restoring skin barrier function as depicted by TEWL values that remained high[3] Study · 2010 · open source

  • Products with glycerin improve very dry skin, including the dry skin of atopic dermatitis (eczema).

    Good evidenceskinSourceHide
    Topical application of glycerol-containing products improves skin properties in diseases characterized by xerosis and impaired epidermal barrier function, such as atopic dermatitis.[1] Review · 2008 · open source

Downsides and safety

  • No known problems at the amounts used: the US expert panel concluded it is safe as used in cosmetics.

    Well establishedSourceHide
    The Panel concluded that glycerin is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.[2] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2019 · open source

Where it works

SurfaceOuter layer(stratum corneum)Living layer(epidermis)Dermis

In the outer layer of the skin (the stratum corneum), where it holds water.

Good evidenceSourceHide
Stratum corneum hydration showed highest values in the glycerol treated sites after 3 days of treatment.[4] Study · 1999 · open source

Rules

European Union

  • No EU limit: it is not on the regulation’s lists of banned or restricted substances, preservatives or UV filters.

    How we checkedHide
    We searched Annexes II to VI of the EU regulation (consolidated text of 18 May 2026): named only as a coating of a UV filter (Annex VI).open the list

United States

  • Not on the FDA’s list of prohibited or restricted cosmetic ingredients. In the US, cosmetics and their ingredients (other than colour additives) don’t need FDA approval before sale.

    SourceHide
    Under U.S. law, cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, do not need FDA approval before they go on the market[5] US Food and Drug Administration · open source
    We searched the FDA’s list of prohibited and restricted cosmetic ingredients: no entry.open the list

  • At 20 to 45% it is also an approved skin-protectant drug ingredient (over-the-counter rules).

    SourceHide
    (h) Glycerin, 20 to 45 percent.[6] US federal regulation · 2024 · open source

Sources

  1. Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions Fluhr JW et al., The British journal of dermatology, 2008Review
  2. Safety Assessment of Glycerin as Used in Cosmetics International journal of toxicology, 2019US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel
  3. Effects of glycerol on human skin damaged by acute sodium lauryl sulphate treatment Atrux-Tallau N et al., Archives of dermatological research, 2010Study
  4. Glycerol accelerates recovery of barrier function in vivo Fluhr JW et al., Acta dermato-venereologica, 1999Study
  5. Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients in Cosmetics | FDA US Food and Drug Administration
  6. 21 CFR Part 347: Skin protectant drug products for over-the-counter human use (2024 edition) US Government Publishing Office (govinfo), Code of Federal Regulations, 2024US federal regulation

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.