Did you know that glycerol, used in creams for many years, improves skin hydration and barrier function?
A long-standing ingredient
Glycerin, also called glycerol, is one of the most common substances in creams and lotions. It appears on a great many labels and often goes unnoticed, precisely because it is a simple ingredient that has been around for a long time.
What is less well known is that the skin itself contains glycerin and uses it in its own processes of hydration, elasticity and barrier repair. Understanding how it works lets us see an ingredient we take for granted with fresh eyes.
What the review covers
The work we are discussing is a review published in 2008 in the British Journal of Dermatology. It brings together studies on where glycerin in the skin comes from, how it works and how it might be used in dermatology.
The authors describe the pathways by which glycerin reaches the skin and is processed there. These include a cell channel called aquaporin 3, which lets it pass through, and the metabolism of lipids in the sebaceous glands.
The effects described
According to the review, glycerin improves the hydration of the stratum corneum, barrier function and the mechanical properties of the skin. It helps protect the skin from irritating stimuli and influences how the lipids of the stratum corneum are organized and how the outermost cells are renewed. Faster wound healing and an antimicrobial effect have also been reported.
Products with glycerin applied to the skin improve its properties in conditions marked by dryness and a weakened barrier, such as atopic dermatitis. The authors stress that the extra hydration provided by glycerin is especially important when cold and dry air make the skin worse, as happens in winter.
How to read this work
A review puts many different studies together and offers an overall view. The picture it paints is consistent, even though each effect comes from research with different methods and sizes.
The practical message is that a simple ingredient can play an important role, especially in the colder months. A cream with glycerin is a common choice for skin that tends to get dry. If the dryness is intense, lasts a long time or comes with itching and redness, a dermatologist can check whether there is more to consider.
This article is for information only. It does not replace the advice of a doctor or dermatologist, whom you should consult with any question about your skin.