Glycerine: What it is, why it helps skin health, and how to use it

By Ariana Watson

What is glycerine?

Glycerine, also spelled as glycerin and known as glycerol, is an odorless and colorless liquid that can be found in nature. It’s typically made from vegetable or animal fat, but can be made synthetically as well. However, at Camille Beckman we pride ourselves in using all natural, kosher glycerine in our products. 

What makes it good for the skin?

Glycerine is a humectant, which is a substance that retains moisture. Humectants work by drawing moisture from the air and delivering it to the skin. Because of it’s moisturizing abilities, glycerine helps prevent wrinkles, breakouts, and improves the overall health of the skin.  

What does glycerine do to your body?

• Performs as a natural moisturizer
• Repairs damaged skin
• Aids in repairing skin tissue and healing scars
• Prevents wrinkles and fine lines
• Treats skin infections

How can glycerine help relieve dry skin?

Glycerine’s moisturizing virtues make it a wonderful ingredient in skincare. It’s ability to retain  moisture in the skin helps those with especially dry or cracked skin.

What are some ways I can use glycerine? 

The ways in which glycerine can be used on the body doesn’t stop at just dry skin. Several other cosmetic benefits this liquid can be used to: 

• Cleanse the face
• Help relieve psoriasis and eczema
• Help heal cracked heels and hands 
• Help heal chapped lips
• Help heal wounds due to its natural antiviral and bactericidal properties
• Help with dandruff and dry, itchy scalp
• Improve hair health

*Always dilute glycerine before using directly on the skin. 

Can I use glycerine on my face?

Yes, glycerine is safe to use on the face and body. Because of its naturally moisturizing abilities, it can be found in many beauty products—it’s one of the main ingredients in our world famous Camille - Glycerine Hand Therapy and Silky Body Cream.

Can I use glycerine on my face everyday?

Yes. Glycerine can be used as a cleanser, toner and moisturizer. 

Can I apply glycerine on my face at night?

Yes, glycerine can be safely used at night. If you would like to use at night, we recommend using it as described above, or, you can create your own glycerine overnight mask. 

Can glycerin be applied directly to lips?

Yes. Glycerine is a wonderful substitute for chapstick. It’s moisturizing compounds help your lips  lock in moisture so you won’t have to reapply glycerine the way you do with chapstick. For the best results, dilute glycerine with lemon juice apply in the evenings before bed. 

Why does glycerine feel warm?

Glycerine bonds with the skin. Once it touches your skin, it begins to match your skin’s temperature, creating a warming effect.

Is glycerine good for hair growth?

Glycerine itself won’t make your hair grow, but it can aid in moisturizing hair, which can help with hair growth. The best way to grow hair is to create healthy hair. Glycerine helps hair lock in moisture to prevent hair breakage. However, since glycerine pulls moisture from its environment, it’s best to use glycerine for hair in humid environments. If you use glycerine on your scalp when it’s too dry outside, moisture can actually be drawn from your scalp, which can be damaging. 

Tips for using glycerine on hair:

• Always check the weather before using glycerine for your hair
• Never use straight glycerine in your hair—always dilute with water first 

The best ways to ensure healthy hair growth: 

• Moisturized hair
• Get regular trims
• Avoid hair dryers and flat irons

Is glycerine bad for hair?

If used correctly, glycerine boasts benefits for a healthy head of hair. Due to it’s humectant quality of pulling moisture from its environment, if applied directly to hair in a dry environment or without added water, glycerine can have a drying effect. This is because glycerine will pull moisture from your scalp instead of the air, which can actually dry your skin and lead to hair problems. If used correctly though, glycerine can aid in the health of hair.  

Is glycerine good for scars?

Yes, glycerine can help reduce the appearance of scars. Many cosmetic brands use glycerine as a main ingredient in their acne scar healing products.  

Does glycerine darken skin?

No, glycerine does not darken your skin. Glycerine is an ingredient that is actually found in some whitening products. 

Does glycerine whiten skin?

The short answer is it can. However, it depends on how it is used. At Camille Beckman we do not encourage skin whitening, but many people still seek to lighten their natural skin tone. Products created to whiten skin oftentimes do contain glycerine. However, these products contain a variety of other ingredients, and Camille Beckman does not sell skin whitening products. 

Is glycerine bad for you?

No, glycerine is considered to be safe to use. With any cosmetic, there is the chance that you may have sensitivities to the substance. While glycerine is considered to be safe for sensitive skin types, when applying straight glycerine to the skin, it’s wise to apply a small amount on a small patch of skin to ensure you do not have a reaction. Allergic reactions aren’t common, however it’s always best to test just in case.

Does glycerin have side effects?

If you have sensitivity to the glycerine, you may experience redness or irritation. It’s best not to use glycerine on the groin area, inside the mouth and nose, or near the eyes, unless the medication or cosmetic containing glycerine states otherwise. 

Possible side effects include:

• Redness 
• Irritation
• Swelling and other allergic reaction symptoms 

Reactions to glycerine for skincare purposes is rare, however, if you do experience any of these symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately. 

Is rosewater and glycerin good for skin?

Both rosewater and glycerine have powerful moisturizing properties. That’s why we love our Glycerine Rosewater Hand Therapy  and our Silky Body Cream for their restorative qualities. 

Glycerine is an ingredient that can be found in a majority of the products we create here at Camille Beckman. Rest assured that the glycerine found in our products is kosher and natural, derived from plants. We don’t test on animals and take pride in creating wholesome, natural products with love and care.