Glycerin is a plant-derived humectant that attracts and retains water in the stratum corneum, helping to hydrate skin and support the skin barrier. It is widely used as a base ingredient in moisturizers and cleansers due to its excellent safety and tolerability profile.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mild stinging or irritation | Rare | Typically associated with high concentrations on compromised or broken skin. |
| Temporary tackiness or skin tightness | Uncommon | More noticeable in low-humidity environments or at high concentrations; cosmetic rather than harmful. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Sensitization to glycerin is exceptionally uncommon and documented in isolated case reports. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.