How to Use Glycerin on Your Face, Body, and Hair

Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a natural compound that comes from vegetable oils or animal fats.

This clear, colorless, odorless syrup has a sweet taste and works as a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the deeper layers of the skin and the air to hydrate the surface.

In skincare products, it’s often combined with occlusives, which help trap the moisture that glycerin attracts.

A 2016 study highlighted glycerin as “the most effective humectant” for boosting hydration in the top layer of the skin, surpassing other common ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids, hyaluronic acid, and urea.

This makes glycerin a crucial addition to your skincare, haircare, and bodycare routine.

Glycerin’s presence in skincare products is well-justified, thanks to the numerous benefits it offers for the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology Association highlights several benefits of glycerin for the skin, including:

1. Relieves Dry Skin

It draws water from the air and deeper layers of skin, delivering it to the outer layer where it’s most needed. This helps relieve dryness, leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth.

2. Potentially Aids in the Treatment of Psoriasis

Glycerin’s moisturizing properties may benefit those dealing with psoriasis, a condition that causes dry, scaly patches on the skin.

Maintaining hydrated skin prevents excessive dryness as well as soothes flare-ups and reduces the discomfort that often accompanies this condition.

3. Improves Skin Barrier Function

A healthy skin barrier is essential for protecting the skin from harmful bacteria and environmental pollutants.

Glycerin helps improve this barrier by keeping the skin hydrated, strengthening its natural defenses, and preventing moisture loss. 

This makes the skin more resilient to irritants and external damage.

4. Offers Protection Against Skin Irritants

In addition to its hydrating benefits, glycerin forms a protective layer on the skin’s surface. This barrier helps shield the skin from environmental irritants such as pollution, harsh weather, and allergens.

By maintaining moisture balance, it reduces the likelihood of irritation and promotes overall skin comfort.

5. Accelerates Wound Healing

Glycerin has been shown to speed up the healing process of minor cuts, scrapes, and other wounds. Its ability to retain moisture is crucial for creating an optimal healing environment, which promotes cell regeneration and reduces scarring.

Additionally, glycerin’s soothing and hydrating qualities help prevent the wound from drying out, accelerating the recovery process.

Can Glycerin Irritate Your Skin?

Glycerin draws moisture from the nearest available source, which, in low humidity conditions, can be the deeper layers of your skin.

This can lead to dehydration and, in extreme cases, blistering. To avoid this, it's best to use products containing glycerin rather than pure glycerin, which can be too harsh.

Many natural skincare advocates suggest diluting glycerin with rosewater, which hydrates the skin and refines pores. Additionally, a 2019 study found that rosewater has positive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

A 2017 study also showed that combining glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and Centella asiatica extract can enhance skin barrier function for up to 24 hours.

Be it on your face or body, it is crucial to dilute glycerin before applying it directly to your skin.

While diluted glycerin is typically safe and easy to use, undiluted glycerin can irritate the skin or cause more severe reactions.

More importantly, glycerin is a staple ingredient in most of the skincare, so, mixing it in your moisturizer or lotion doesn't make any sense.

However, if you still want to use it, you can follow these steps:

• Rinse your face with cold water.
• Massage diluted glycerin to a cotton pad or tissue.
• Gently blot it onto your face.
• Allow it to absorb into your skin for a few minutes.
• Rinse off with water.

However, you have to be cautious and avoid contact with your eyes and mouth when using glycerin.

To use glycerin on your body:

Dilute It: Glycerin can be too strong if applied directly, so mix it with water or a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil. A common ratio is 1 part glycerin to 3 parts water or oil.

Apply After Showering: After showering, when your skin is still slightly damp, rub the diluted glycerin mixture. This helps lock in moisture.

Massage It In: Gently massage the mixture into your skin using circular motions, focusing on dry areas like elbows, knees, or feet.

Leave It On: Allow the glycerin to absorb into your skin. If your skin feels sticky, use a towel to blot off any excess.

Use Regularly: To see the best results, incorporate this into your routine, especially during colder, drier months when your skin needs extra hydration.

As we discussed above that glycerin draws moisture into the hair and scalp. Per experts, this ability to attract moisture is especially useful during dry winter months when scalp conditions like itching and flaking are common.

By keeping the scalp hydrated, glycerin helps prevent issues such as dandruff and excessive oil production. Since healthy hair begins at the scalp, maintaining scalp health is essential for addressing and preventing hair concerns.

1. Enhances Scalp Moisture

This added moisture helps maintain a balanced scalp, while also preventing Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), ensuring that the scalp stays nourished and hydrated for longer periods.

2. Controls Oil Production

By infusing moisture into the scalp, glycerin helps regulate the production of sebum, the natural oil produced by the scalp.

This balance prevents the scalp from becoming too oily or too dry, promoting a healthier environment for hair growth and reducing scalp issues like greasy hair or flakes.

3. Has Antibacterial Benefits

The antimicrobial properties of glycerin help soothe the scalp and treat dryness-related itchiness.

It works to keep dandruff at bay and reduces the risk of fungal or bacterial infections, leading to a more comfortable and healthier scalp.

4. Hydrates Dry Hair

It draws moisture into the hair strands and locks it in. In the process, glycerol prevents the hair from becoming dry and brittle.

This helps keep hair soft, shiny, and manageable, making it ideal for individuals with dry or textured hair that require extra moisture.

5. Promotes Scalp Wellness

Glycerin’s ability to restore moisture to both the hair and the scalp contributes to the overall health of the scalp.

With proper hydration, glycerin helps prevent issues like dryness, flaking, and irritation, creating a better environment for hair follicles and encouraging healthier hair growth.

6. Fortifies Hair

Hydration is key to maintaining the strength and elasticity of hair strands. Glycerin helps keep hair moisturized, preventing it from becoming weak or prone to breakage.

This leads to healthier, stronger hair that can withstand styling, combing, and environmental stressors.

7. Reduces Frizz

Glycerin helps to combat frizz by maintaining hydration in the hair, preventing it from becoming dry or parched.

It helps to smooth the hair cuticle, reducing flyaways and frizz, while supporting the natural curl pattern in some hair types.

8. Supports Hair Growth

By promoting scalp health and ensuring proper moisture levels, glycerin creates an optimal environment for hair follicles to thrive.

This can help stimulate new hair growth, contributing to fuller, healthier hair over time.

Glycerin is a powerful ingredient already featured in many beauty products, making it easy to incorporate into your routine. For those wanting to harness its full potential, sourcing glycerin in its pure form is key.

However, it's important to consider its purity, source, and strength, as glycerin can be highly occlusive and should always be diluted before use.

Here are a few ways to incorporate glycerin into your hair care routine:

Add Glycerin to Your Conditioner

If your conditioner doesn’t already contain glycerin, you can add it yourself. Simply pour enough conditioner to cover all hair strands and leave it on for at least 5 minutes before rinsing.

Purchase Glycerin-Rich Products

Look for moisturizing shampoos and conditioners where glycerin is one of the top ingredients to ensure you’re getting the right amount for your hair.

Put on a Pre-Wash Treatment

Blend one part glycerin with one part carrier oil and a few drops of essential oil. Brush this mixture through dry hair before washing to prepare your scalp and strands for hydration.

Use as a Deep Conditioning Treatment

After shampooing, dab a mixture of aloe vera and glycerin to damp hair and leave it on for 15-20 minutes for a deep conditioning boost. Rinse thoroughly to avoid irritation.

For Flexible hold

Create a texture spray that gives you soft, touchable curls with a flexible hold. Salt helps contract the hair, while cane sugar and glycerin work for extra moisture.

For Hair Growth

Consider a hair growth serum that combines glycerin with ingredients like curcumin, red clover, and mung bean. Massage a dropper full onto your scalp daily to promote longer, thicker hair.

For Curly Hair

If you have curly hair, look for a leave-in conditioner featuring glycerin. It’s perfect for air drying or using a diffuser, giving you lightweight moisture and definition.

Anti-Frizz Protection

Although a bit more expensive, a no-frizz shampoo containing glycerin can help protect against humidity and reduce hair friction, leaving your hair sleeker and shinier.

Use it as a Hair Spray

Create a simple glycerin spray that works as a detangler or leave-in treatment. It can be used after washing and conditioning hair, giving your hair a soft, manageable texture.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons glycerin
• 1/2 cup water
• 2-3 drops essential oil

Take all the ingredients and mix them together in a bowl. Then, transfer the mixture with the help of a funnel in a spray bottle.

Spritz onto wet or dry hair as needed. If your hair becomes sticky, dilute further with water.

Create a Hair Mask

A glycerin-based hair mask can deeply hydrate your hair, and it works best when rinsed out before conditioning.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon glycerin
• 1 tablespoon aloe vera
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 tablespoon honey

In a bowl, mix all ingredients together until fully combined. Next, rub evenly onto hair and let it sit for 30 minutes and rinse out with shampoo and conditioner.

Glycerin can be left in the hair overnight if it's diluted. Hair with high porosity easily absorbs water, oils, and other products, making it prone to over-moisturization.

If you have this hair type, use glycerin-based products in moderation to avoid weighing your hair down. In highly humid environments, you might notice your hair becoming frizzy and voluminous.

This happens because glycerin attracts moisture from the air and infuses it into your hair, causing it to swell.