This Skin Care Ingredient Might Be Even More Hydrating Than Hyaluronic Acid

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When you hear the term vegetable glycerin, soft, supple, hydrated skin probably isn’t the first thing to come to mind. In fact, you might even consider it a worthy ingredient for your next baked good recipe. But we’re here to set the record straight: Vegetable glycerin is one of the most commonly used humectants on the market, and chances are, you’re already using it without even knowing it. 

Here, we tapped board-certified dermatologists to get the scoop on vegetable glycerin: what it is, how it benefits the skin, and how to use it properly.

“Also called glycerol and glycerin, vegetable glycerin is a water-soluble sugar alcohol that comes from a variety of plant oils, including soy, palm, coconut, and corn,” says board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical, Rachel Maiman, M.D. “It’s made by heating triglyceride-rich vegetable fats under pressure or combined with a strong alkali.” Animal-derived glycerin, on the other hand, comes from animal fats.

This heating process causes the glycerin to separate from the fatty acids and, mixed with water, forms an odorless, syrup-like liquid. But before you think about adding this syrupy potion to your meals, you should know that vegetable glycerin is uber-hydrating for the skin. In fact, it's commonly used in skin care products to give you that soft, supple, dewiness you’ve dreamed of (more on this later.) 

While vegetable glycerin and animal-derived glycerin have similar benefits, the notable difference between the two is that vegetable glycerin is always plant-based. “Glycerin is a general term for a type of sugar alcohol compound, which can be derived from either animal fats or plant fats,” Maiman says. “It can also be artificially synthesized in the lab.” (You also have a natural supply of glycerin in your body, which decreases over time; this is why many brands incorporate it into their products.)

Even though glycerin and vegetable glycerin can be used interchangeably, a brand that uses the vegetable-derived ingredient will likely make it clear on the label. If you're not sure, look for vegan formulas or feel free to ask the brand directly about how they source their glycerin.

“Glycerin is often formulated in products that are designed to sit on the surface of the skin and protect the skin’s natural barrier,” King says. Having a healthy skin barrier helps to protect against moisture loss and can even help to protect against irritants and environmental aggressors. Board-certified dermatologist Raechele Cochran Gathers, M.D., agrees: "Along with hydration, glycerin helps with improving the function of the skin barrier, which helps prevent the loss of water, protecting the skin from irritation and improving wound healing in the skin," she previously told mbg.

In short, healthy skin starts with strong skin barrier function, and glycerin can help you build up that barrier.

Thanks to its hydrating and skin barrier-supporting abilities, vegetable glycerin is a great ingredient for those with inflammatory skin conditions. "Moisturizers with glycerin can be especially helpful in people with eczema," says Cochran Gathers. Not to mention, glycerin plays nice with a host of other ingredients and buffers their potency, which can make those products more tolerable for sensitive complexions.

While we need more research on its anti-inflammatory properties specifically, vegetable glycerin may have some soothing properties as well: “Studies have shown that glycerin exerts antimicrobial effects and is capable of reducing the production of cytokines involved in most inflammatory and irritant responses in the skin,” Maiman says. Another study found that mice treated with glycerin had less white blood cell responses to irritants.

Short answer? No, not really. Maiman says any ingredient allergy is technically possible, but side effects from vegetable glycerin are rare. “Vegetable glycerin is generally well-tolerated by most, including those with sensitive skin," she says. Of course, you should always patch-test before slathering on a new ingredient, just in case you do face a reaction.

And for those who stick to vegan skin care, we suggest checking your labels to make sure your glycerin is, in fact, plant-based. Again, brands who use vegan formulas will likely make it clear on the label, but you can always double check if you aren't sure about their glycerin in particular.