How Is Glycerin Beneficial For Your Skin?

Did you know that glycerin is the most abundantly used ingredient in the skincare and beauty industry? Many people also use the popular ingredient in their DIY skincare rituals at home for glowing and healthy skin.

Glycerin is a leading personal care and cosmetic ingredient because it’s easily accessible, inexpensive, and most importantly, rejuvenates your skin, making it radiant, clear, and beautiful.

If you’re wondering what glycerin is and how you can make it a part of your daily skincare ritual, then read on to know the uses, benefits, and downsides of glycerin.

Highlights:

• Is Glycerin Good For Skin Whitening?
• What Are The Benefits Of Glycerin For Your Skin?
• What Are The Uses Of Glycerin For Your Skin?
• Benefits Of Glycerin
• How To Use Glycerin For Skin Whitening?
• Which Glycerin Is Best For Your Skin?
• Are There Any Side Effects Of Glycerin?
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Glycerin

Is Glycerin Good For Skin Whitening?

Glycerin is well-known for its moisturizing and restorative properties. Even if it is not widely known as a skin whitening agent, a few people believe that it contains natural skin whitening components.

Also, there is not enough evidence backing the use of glycerin for dark spot removal and skin whitening. A few such claims are made as glycerin helps in exfoliation.

When glycerin is applied topically, its humectant property enhances moisture and hydration in the outermost layer of the skin. This enhanced hydration leads to softer skin that makes exfoliating easier.

The process of exfoliation involves removal of debris, accumulated sebum, and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Eliminating these accumulated dead skin cells and debris help lighten your complexion. It also helps in fading any age spots, scars, and dark spots.

What Are The Benefits Of Glycerin For Your Skin?

Glycerin offers numerous benefits for maintaining good skin health. These include:

1. Manages Dryness

Glycerin is an excellent emollient and moisturizer for your skin. With regular use, your skin naturally becomes fresh, supple, and hydrated. For a patchy, dry skin condition, glycerin is a potent emollient that helps alleviate and manage extreme skin dryness.

2. Maintains pH Balance

Glycerin helps balance the pH level of the skin. By including glycerin in your daily skincare regime, you will prevent the moisture loss in your skin, which usually happens due to external factors.

Glycerin helps create a protective layer of moisture on the surface of your skin which shields you from harsh UVA and B rays, keeping your skin glowing, supple, and healthy. For excessively dry skin, you can include glycerin in your winter skincare routine.

3. Acts As An Antifungal Agent

Glycerin has healing and restorative properties which make it an effective antifungal agent for treating and managing skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema [1].

4. Acts As An Exfoliant

Glycerin helps disintegrate proteins in the dead skin cells into smaller molecules, which makes it easier to eliminate them from your skin. This expulsion of dead skin cells helps in the production of new cells, which gives you healthy, clear, and glowing skin.

What Are The Uses Of Glycerin For Your Skin?

Glycerin is an excellent humectant, a natural substance which helps retain moisture levels in the skin. Humectants help draw moisture from the surrounding air and render it to your skin. Due to its excellent moisturizing properties, glycerin helps suppress the appearance of premature wrinkles, fine lines, and acne breakouts.

You can use glycerin in various ways in your daily skincare regime. These include:

1. Toner

• You can prepare a simple solution of glycerin and pure rose water for toning your face.
• Mix two cups of pure rose water with half a cup of glycerin and pour the solution into a spray bottle.
• Clean your face with a mild, herbal facial cleanser and spray the toner.
• Additionally, you may use the toner whenever required.

2. Facial Cleanser

• Prepare a solution using one tsp of glycerin and three tsp of milk.
• Apply the solution onto your face and neck.
• Leave it for 10-15 minutes before gently rinsing off with lukewarm water.

3. Moisturizer

• Take a clean bowl and pour 250 ml of pure glycerin.
• Add two tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice [2] into the bowl.
• Mix both the ingredients properly to form a thin solution and transfer it into an airtight glass container.
• Take a few drops of the solution and apply it onto your face, neck, and hands before your bedtime.
• Let the solution work its magic while you are sleeping.
• Rinse it off with normal water the next morning.

4. Acne Treatment

• Prepare a solution by adding half a tsp of camphor and boric powder, one cup of distilled water, and one tbsp of glycerin.
• Apply the solution onto your affected skin using a cotton ball or clean hands.
• Leave it for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
• After rinsing off the solution, rinse your face with cold water to close the open skin pores.

5. Anti-Aging Treatment

• Take one egg and break it open in a glass bowl.
• Add a tsp of glycerin and honey into the bowl.
• Mix all the ingredients properly and apply it onto your face and neck.
• Leave it for 20-35 minutes before rinsing off with normal water.

6. For Bright & Glowing Complexion

• For a bright and glowing complexion, you may use a glycerin and banana face mask.
• Take a ripe banana and mash it in a mixing bowl.
• Add a tbsp of glycerin into the bowl.
• Mix both the ingredients well and apply the mask onto your face and neck.
• Leave it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with normal water for bright, youthful, and clear skin.

Important Note:

Please note that there is no real evidence backing the claims which suggest skin whitening with glycerin.

Benefits Of Glycerin

Glycerin is extensively used in various skincare and beauty rituals. It is renowned for its moisturizing properties. A natural emollient, it helps keep your skin supple, moist, and soft to touch. It traps moisture in your skin to make it smooth and blemish-free.

1. Glycerin hydrates and deeply nourishes your skin, while improving your skin’s appearance. Additionally, a well-nourished and hydrated skin prevents the premature signs of aging such as the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles, and fine lines.

2. Glycerin also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which helps minimize blemishes and scars, soothes aggravated and inflamed skin, and heals fungal skin infections.

3. Glycerin is beneficial for sensitive and dry skin as it is deeply nourishing, hydrating, soothing, and aids in wound healing.

4. Glycerin also acts as a natural facial cleanser as it effectively eliminates accumulated sebum and dirt from the outer layer of skin, including blackheads and whiteheads.

5. Glycerin improves the skin’s barrier function [3] by increasing the thickness of the epidermal layer of the skin.

6. The rejuvenating and restorative properties of glycerin also helps renew damaged skin cells for new, healthy cells.

How To Use Glycerin For Skin Whitening?

Many people believe that by using only glycerin, it effectively exfoliates and moisturizes the skin. On the other hand, when glycerin is combined with other natural ingredients, it may also improve the complexion by lightening it.

Using glycerin along with other natural ingredients like rose water and lemon may help rejuvenate dry, dull skin as well as make your skin supple for thorough exfoliation.

Natural ingredients like rose water effectively work together as glycerin imparts moisture and hydration, whereas rose water is an excellent astringent. Apart from deep cleansing your skin, rose water also tones your skin and tightens the open pores.

On the other hand, the natural acidity from lemon reduces uneven pigmentation, scars, and discoloration.

You may prepare your own skin whitening solution at home by following the below instructions:

• Mix 20 ml of pure rose water, one tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 7-8 drops of pure glycerin.
• Pour the solution into a spray bottle or a small bottle.
• Apply the solution onto your face everyday using a cotton ball or clean hands, or spray a mist of the solution after makeup for a healthy glow.
• Store the solution in the refrigerator for future use.

Vedix Tip: Using lemon juice directly on your skin may also escalate your sensitivity to harsh sunlight, making you susceptible to inflammation and sunburn. Try avoiding applying lemon juice onto your skin before stepping outside in the sunlight.

Which Glycerin Is Best For Your Skin?

Vegetable glycerin is best suited for your skin as it is completely natural and safe. It has potent moisturizing properties which helps improve hydration levels, suppleness, and softness of the skin.

A study finding reported that a glycerin-based serum was comparatively more effective than hyaluronic acid at preventing moisture loss and boosting skin hydration. Another study suggests adding a few drops of glycerin into warm water for bathing prevents moisture loss, irritation, and inflammation.

Furthermore, glycerin may impart protection from skin infections and improve wound healing. Additionally, it safeguards your skin from cold and windy climatic conditions. It also effectively manages and prevents the symptoms of eczema in people afflicted with the skin condition [4].

Are There Any Side Effects Of Glycerin?

Glycerin is known as a nontoxic, safe, and natural ingredient. The best part is that no matter how much it is used, it never builds up in your skin with prolonged use.

It is safe to say that you may use glycerin-based skincare products or a DIY beauty ritual including other natural ingredients for a beautiful, supple, and glowing skin.

• Before you use glycerin on your skin, remember to avoid applying it near or around your eye area. Even a small amount of glycerin may burn and sting your eyes. However, it doesn’t cause any adverse reaction or damage to your eyes. Wash your eyes thoroughly with plain water if you ever have such an encounter.
• As it holds true with various skincare products, be aware of any potential irritation or allergic reaction. This may be signified by burning sensation, itching, redness, or inflammation.
• Even though allergic reactions to glycerin are rare and unheard of, it is always advisable to stop using glycerin-based products once you experience discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Glycerin

1. What Is Vegetable Glycerin?

Glycerol, which is commonly known as vegetable glycerin, is extracted from plant sources such as coconut oil, soy, or palm oil. It is widely and extensively used in various medicinal, food, and cosmetic products.

2. How Long Should I Leave Glycerin On My Face?

Glycerin is generally completely safe to apply on your skin. But you should avoid leaving it for too long on your skin in its undiluted form. Glycerin is a thick, highly dense liquid which tends to attract debris, pollution, and dust on your skin. Hence, it is imperative to rinse it off properly post application.

A few remedies may recommend you to apply it in the night and leave it till the next morning. However, these remedies are usually diluted with lemon juice, rose water, or some other natural ingredient.

3. Can I Apply Glycerin Directly On My Face?

As per scientific evidence, glycerin can be safely used on the face as it doesn’t cause any side effects. It is extensively used in various facial cleansers, serums, and creams. But as it tends to attract dust and debris from the environment, it may lead to irritation and inflammation in a few individuals.

It is best recommended to dilute pure glycerin in either rose water or distilled water before applying on your skin.

Important Note:

Avoid applying 100% pure glycerin directly onto your skin. Even though it may not cause any adverse side effects when mixed with other natural ingredients, it may cause irritation and inflammation if directly used.

4. Can Glycerin Remove Dark Spots?

Age spots, scars, and blemishes are difficult to diminish and resolve. With regular application of glycerin, it helps fade away and diminish these with time. It also helps to keep your skin nourished and hydrated, balance the pH levels, and protect your skin from skin infections.

The Last Word

Glycerin is an excellent emollient which helps your skin retain moisture levels, repair damage, rejuvenate itself, and prevent various types of skin infections.

While it may improve your overall complexion and skin health, it should not be considered as a skin lightening or whitening agent. Additionally, there is no concrete scientific evidence which supports the claim that it prevents hyperpigmentation.

However, glycerin does have an exfoliating property. By expelling debris, accumulated sebum, and dead skin cells, glycerin may help lighten the uneven patches of discoloration, which age spots, scars, and acne leave behind in your skin. Take the guidance of an Ayurvedic expert to understand your prakriti and make the most of this wonderful ingredient.