One of the best and most accessible moisturizing ingredients in skin care is undoubtedly glycerin, which has more benefits than just hydrating. If you are excited to add it to your routine, where should you start from, and which glycerin skincare products are the best to try? While glycerin shows up in a huge percentage of commercial skincare preparations, we selected the best glycerin skincare products – products that place it front and center in their formula to hydrate the skin.
1. Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask with Echinacea GreenEnvy
This hydrating mask is quite unique to use, since it warms up a little bit as it is massaged into the skin. The main ingredient in it is glycerin, which has been combined with other powerful hydrators like honey and panthenol to bring maximum levels of moisture into the skin. It also contains antioxidant-rich ingredients to prevent premature aging, like propolis and sea buckthorn oil. It is an excellent mask for all skin types, and it can be found at Sephora.
2. Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
The skin around the eyes is often more easily dehydrated than the skin elsewhere on our face, so these eye patches can be an excellent solution. They combine hydrating glycerin and hyaluronic acid with soothing chamomile and allantoin, as well as skin-firming cucumber extract.
While all of these ingredients could just come in an eye gel, the fact that this product is a patch makes it significantly more effective! The patches occlude the eye area ensuring that all of the beneficial ingredients are thoroughly absorbed into the skin and ensuring better hydration. You can buy them from Sephora.
3. Paula’s Choice CALM Soothing Toner Normal to Dry
This hydrating toner is the perfect remedy for when the skin feels stressed or irritated, and on a regular basis it offers a significant skin-rebuilding and hydrating boost. In addition to a healthy amount of glycerin for skin, this liquid also includes anti-inflammatory allantoin and brightening licorice root extract. It’s perfect for anyone with sensitive and dry skin, so order it online from Dermstore.
4. Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water
It’s hard to resist a product that hydrates your skin while lightly cleansing it. This ultra-gentle cleansing water from Caudalie contains a burst of glycerin to nourish the skin, along with skin-soothing grape water and a touch of chamomile. All you have to do is pour a bit of this liquid on a cotton pad, wipe your face, and it’ll feel instantly cleaner, smoother, and healthier. It is available at Sephora.
5. Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse
If you like a more powerful cleanser, then take a look at this balm cleanser. It melts off makeup like a dream, with a cushiony texture that never irritates or tugs at the skin. The first ingredient here is hydrating glycerin for skin, but it also contains emollient olive oil and antioxidant beta-carotene. It has a refreshing lemony scent that will instantly put you in a good mood. It’s fabulous for all skin types, but especially for dry skin. Buy it from Nordstrom!
6. Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
Don’t you want to wake up with glowing skin? Overnight masks with glycerin are one of the most effective ways of ensuring your skin looks incredible right as you wake up in the morning. No matter your skin type, this mask is a good choice, since it contains non-comedogenic ingredients like vitamin E-rich sunflower oil, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. Using it in the long term will brighten up the skin, but in the short term it’ll make it feel healthy and hydrated. Pick it up at Sephora!
7. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Excellent hydration doesn’t have to come at a high cost! This The Ordinary product combines glycerin with other skin-hydrating superstars like hyaluronic acid, saccharides and more, as well as emollient and occlusive lipids that occur naturally in the skin. It is made to load the skin up with moisture but only with gentle, non-comedogenic ingredients. It is great for all skin types, though those with dry skin often like to layer an oil on top for added occlusion. It is available for purchase at Sephora.
8. Dermalogica Calm Water Gel
With a lightweight gel texture and a super soothing formulation, this is an ideal moisturizer for just about anyone but especially those with sensitive skin. In addition to glycerin for skin, it also contains aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and apple extract. If the typical creams don’t seem to work for you, then definitely give this gel a try. You can find it at Nordstrom.
9. Philosophy Purity Made Simple Ultra-Light Moisturizer
This is a creamy take on moisturizers with glycerin for skin, and it also contains a touch of silicone making it extremely occlusive and incredible under makeup. If your skin is anywhere between dry and combination-oily, then this cream is certainly worth a try. It also contains fabulous anti-aging ingredients like vitamin C and green tea extract. Grab yourself a bottle from Sephora.
10. Kiehl’s Since 1851 Ultra Facial Cleanser
One of the best glycerin uses is in cleansers, where it helps infuse the skin with moisture during cleansing and helps mitigate the drying effects of surfactants. While this foaming cleanser does contain sulfates, which should normally be avoided, they are mixed with some gentler emulsifiers to ensure a gentler cleansing. There is also squalane and almond oil in the formula to give it a creamier feel. It’s a cleanser ideal for combination and oily skin types, and it can be found at Sephora.
11. Juice Beauty GREEN APPLE Peel Full Strength Exfoliating Mask
Even in a peel glycerin uses are still plentiful, since any skincare step is a good time for hydration. This acid peel combines it all, with acne-fighting salicylic acid, resurfacing glycolic acid, brightening vitamin C, and retexturizing vitamin A. All of these powerful actives can take a toll, so glycerin helps to keep things in check and ensure the skin remains hydrated and intact. This peel is fabulous for all skin types except the extremely sensitive. Pick up a jar at Ulta Beauty!
12. Skin Inc Supplement Bar Vitamin B3+ Niacinamide Serum RESCUE TROUBLED SKIN
I’ve written quite a bit about my love for niacinamide, the skin-rejuvenating antioxidant that somehow also helps with acne, pigmentation, and sensitivity without any of the side effects of other actives. Here it is paired with hydrating glycerin for skin, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol in a light formula perfect for those with acne-prone skin. You can use it alone if you’re very oily, or layer it under a moisturizer if you get dry. It is sold at Sephora.
13. Lancôme Advanced Génifique Serum
Pairing glycerin with other humectant and moisture barrier-improving ingredients is always a fabulous idea, especially for dry skin. That’s exactly what this serum does, as it includes a healthy quantity of glycerin for skin along with all kinds of microbiome-strengthening ferment extracts. The result is a super hydrating serum that also helps to eliminate redness and give the skin a glow. Order it from Nordstrom!
14. REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm
This ultra-rich balm moisturizer is a godsend to anyone with dry skin. It combines powerfully occlusive lipids to prevent moisture evaporation with the moisture-attracted effect of glycerin for skin. The formula is all natural and rich in antioxidants, and is absolutely perfect as an overnight treatment. Find it at Sephora!
15. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP + Body Cream with Shea Butter and Glycerin
Your body also deserves some of the love that comes with all those glycerin skin benefits, especially if your skin is sensitive or if you have eczema. This obsession worthy body cream contains glycerin to hydrate, shea butter to soften and occlude, and even niacinamide to give the skin a soothing, anti-aging dose!
Wanna hear a little secret? If your skin is particularly dry, you can also cheat and apply this body cream to your face. Note that this product is fragrance-free, so not everyone will like the smell. Pick up a bottle at Ulta Beauty!
Photos via Sephora, Ulta