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Is Glycerin Good for Your Skin?

What is Glycerin and is it good or bad for the skin? From moisturisers to sunscreen, discover why Glycerin should be part of your skincare routine.

What's in this article:

What is Glycerin?

Glycerin, sometimes called Glycerol, is a natural ingredient often used in skincare products. It’s a clear, colourless liquid made from plant oils or animal fats, and it has a smooth, syrupy texture.

Glycerin works as a humectant, which means it helps to attract and hold moisture in the skin, preventing it from drying out². By drawing water from the air, and deeper layers of the skin, it helps skin stay hydrated, which is why it is commonly found in skincare.

Is Glycerin Good for Skin?

Thanks to its non-comedogenic properties (meaning it won’t clog pores), Glycerin is suitable for all skin types:

Young woman applying face cream
1
Dry skin:

Glycerin is especially beneficial for dry skin, as it helps draw moisture into the skin and lock it in, keeping the skin soft, smooth, and protected. 

2
Oily skin:

Even oily skin needs hydration. Skipping moisturiser in your routine can cause the skin to produce more oil to compensate. Glycerin provides lightweight hydration without clogging pores, making it a great choice for oily skin types.

3
Combination skin:

Glycerin’s ability to hydrate without being heavy means it works well for combination skin, helping to balance both oily and dry areas.

4
Sensitive skin:

Gentle and soothing, Glycerin not only hydrates but may help calm the skin. By supporting the skin’s natural moisture barrier, it can also help defend against external irritants.

7 GLYCERIN SKIN BENEFITS

Glycerin has many benefits for skin including:
Young woman using Nivea face cream

1. Helps skin retain moisture

Glycerin draws water into the skin and slows down moisture loss, helping to keep it hydrated throughout the day. This is especially beneficial during colder months or in dry environments.

2. Can help smooth the skin’s texture

By keeping the skin well-hydrated, Glycerin may help to reduce the texture of rough skin and support a smoother, softer feel.

3. Help supports the skin’s protective barrier

Well-moisturised skin is better able to maintain its natural barrier, which can help defend against environmental stressors like wind, cold weather and pollution.

4. Helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles

By keeping skin well-hydrated, Glycerin helps maintain skin elasticity and plumpness, which can help to minimise the look of fine lines over time.

5. May support natural skin healing

Hydrated skin is more resilient to irritation, flaking, and tightness and therefore Glycerin may help promote skin recovery by supporting the natural renewal process.

6. Encourages gentle exfoliation

Glycerin can help improve the skin’s natural shedding process by keeping the outer layer hydrated, which allows dead skin cells to be released more easily, promoting a fresher, brighter-looking complexion over time.

7. MAY HELP SOOTHE DRY OR SENSITIVE SKIN

Glycerin helps to soothe the skin and so can be beneficial for those with dryness or sensitivity.
Young woman cleaning her face
Caution: Even if a product includes Glycerin in its formula, it doesn't imply that the product exhibits all the benefits listed above - these will depend on various factors such as the formulation and the concentration of Glycerin. Please see the packaging instructions to know the effects of the specific product that you use. 
Is Glycerin Good for Your Skin?

Facts Overview

Sources of Glycerin: Glycerin is a widely used skincare ingredient that can come from both natural and synthetic sources, including plant and animal fats. 

Glycerin and Skin Types: Glycerin benefits all skin types: dry, oily, sensitive, and combination, by supporting the skin’s natural barrier. 

Glycerin in Skincare: Glycerin is commonly found in skincare products, including face creams, body lotions, and sunscreens. 

Glycerin Benefits: Glycerin can help to improve skin texture, reduce dryness, and support the skin against external irritants.  

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Young woman using Nivea Q10 Body Lotion

Glycerin for the Body

Glycerin is a highly effective ingredient for body care, renowned for its ability to deeply hydrate and soften the skin. As a natural humectant, it draws moisture into the skin and helps to retain it, making it particularly beneficial for dry or rough areas such as elbows, knees, and heels. Regular use of Glycerin on the body can help improve skin texture, enhance smoothness, and support the skin’s natural barrier function. Gentle and non-irritating, it is suitable for all skin types and is commonly found in body lotions, creams, and moisturisers.

Glycerin for Wrinkles

As we age, our skin naturally becomes drier and loses elasticity, making fine lines and wrinkles more visible, especially around delicate areas like the eyes. Glycerin’s ability to attract and retain moisture helps keep skin hydrated and plump, which softens the appearance of wrinkles and supports a smoother, more youthful complexion. 

The NIVEA Q10 range is specially designed to nourish mature skin with skin-compatible ingredients like Glycerin, Coenzyme Q10 and Bioxifill Peptides. Key products such as the NIVEA Q10 Targeted Wrinkle Filler Serum* and NIVEA Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Firming Day Cream work together to help reduce fine lines, stimulate Collagen production, and improve skin firmness. Using the full range helps support your skin’s natural renewal process while delivering deep hydration and visible wrinkle care.

*Skin compatibility is dermatologically approved. 

Discover NIVEA Q10 Skincare
Blonde hair woman using Nivea Q10 Anti Wrinkle face cream
How to Use Glycerin for Face and Body

How to Use Glycerin for Skin

One of the best ways to feel the benefits of Glycerin is through skincare products, as part of your regular skincare routine.

1. Cleanse

Start your routine by cleansing, as this helps to lift away daily dirt, oil, makeup and SPF, leaving your skin feeling fresh and comfortable. 

NIVEA offers a range of gentle cleansers formulated with caring ingredients like Glycerin to support the skin’s moisture balance while effectively removing impurities. Whether you prefer a micellar water, gel or cream cleanser, there’s a NIVEA option to suit your skin type and needs.
Explore NIVEA Face Cleansing Products
NIVEA Refreshing Toner
NIVEA SUN UV Specialist Derma Skin Clear Daily UV Fluid SPF 50

2. Hydrate

Hydration is the next essential step after cleansing, helping to replenish moisture and keep skin feeling soft, smooth and balanced throughout the day. 

Hydrating the Face: 
For deep hydration, apply NIVEA SUN UV Specialist Derma Skin Clear Daily UV Fluid SPF 50 to your face and neck. This ultra-light, non-greasy formula combines Glycerin, Niacinamide and Carnitine to hydrate, control oil and protect against sun-induced sensitivity, all in one step. 

Hydrating the Body: 
For dry or very dry skin, NIVEA Repair & Care Body Lotion delivers 72 hours of hydration with a 10% complex of Glycerin, Provitamin B5 and Niacinamide. It helps soothe irritation, strengthen the skin barrier and improve overall skin comfort, making it ideal for when skin needs extra care. 

Whether you're looking for face creams or body lotions, NIVEA offers a wide range of hydrating formulas to suit every skin type and routine.
Explore NIVEA Moisturisers

3. Lip Protection

It’s important to care for your lips too as they are often one of the first areas to show signs of dryness. The NIVEA Hyaluron Moisture Plus Lip Balm delivers deep hydration and visibly smoother lips for up to 24 hours*. This ultra-light formula helps to reduce the appearance of lip lines while keeping lips feeling soft, plump, and nourished. Simply apply throughout the day whenever your lips need a moisture boost. 

*100% of volunteers showed a moisture increase – instrumental increase in 43 volunteers used 2x daily for 5 days.
Young woman using NIVEA Hyaluron Moisture Plus Lip Balm
Young woman using NIVEA Protect & Moisture SPF 50+

4. Sun Protection

As the final step in your skincare routine, daily sun protection is essential for maintaining healthy skin. For effective protection that also hydrates, try NIVEA Protect & Moisture SPF 50+. Enriched with Glycerin and Vitamin E, this fast-absorbing, water-resistant formula delivers reliable UVA/UVB defence while nourishing your skin. Whether at home or on holiday, the full NIVEA Protect & Moisture range has a sunscreen that’s just right for you.
Protect & Moisture Sunscreens

Summary

Glycerin is a gentle, natural ingredient that helps attract and retain moisture, keeping skin hydrated, smooth, and protected. Suitable for all skin types, it supports the skin’s barrier, aids renewal, and soothes dryness. Found in many NIVEA products - from body lotions to wrinkle serums - it works with ingredients like Provitamin B5 and Coenzyme Q10 to deliver lasting hydration and care.

FAQs

Is Glycerin good for skincare?

Yes, Glycerin is a well-known moisturiser that suits most skin types, and helps keep skin hydrated and balanced.

What is Glycerin used for?

Glycerin is used in cleansers, moisturisers, lip balms and sunscreens to draw moisture into the skin and support its barrier.

Which is better: Glycerin or Hyaluronic Acid?

They both hydrate and work well together. Glycerin pulls in moisture and retains it; Hyaluronic Acid holds water at the skin’s surface.

Can I use Glycerin on my face every day?

Yes, when part of a well-formulated product, Glycerin is suitable for daily use to help keep skin soft and hydrated.

Can Glycerin clog pores?

No, Glycerin is non-comedogenic and unlikely to block pores, making it a good option for most skin types.

How does Glycerin help when using sunscreen?

It helps counteract dryness from sun exposure by drawing in moisture and keeping skin hydrated.

Is Glycerin good or bad for skin?

Glycerin is safe and effective when used in properly formulated skincare products⁶. Avoid using it pure, as it may cause irritation. Be sure to consult a doctor if you have any concerns.

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