Glycerin: The Unsung Hero of Skincare (Here’s What It Really Does)

In skincare, some ingredients are hype.

Glycerin? It’s proven.

This clear, slightly sweet, water-loving compound has been used in skincare for over a century — and for good reason: it works. Backed by decades of dermatological research, glycerin helps your skin stay hydrated, resilient, and calm.

Glycerin (also called glycerol) is a clear, odorless liquid derived from natural fats and oils. In skincare, it’s used as a humectant — meaning it attracts and retains moisture in the skin.

Here’s how it works — and why we’ve built our formula around it.

What Is Glycerin?

Glycerin (also called glycerol) is a humectant — it draws water from the environment and deeper layers of your skin into the outermost layer. This keeps your skin hydrated, smooth, and more resistant to damage.

It’s safe for all skin types, doesn’t clog pores, and plays well with almost every other ingredient in your routine.

Where Is Glycerin sourced from?

• 🌿 Vegetable-derived glycerin is the most common in skincare. It’s typically extracted from soybean, palm, or coconut oil during the soap-making or biodiesel production process.

• 🧪 It can also be synthetically made through petrochemical processes — though most modern skincare brands (including Bareborn) opt for plant-based glycerin due to its sustainability and skin compatibility.

• 🐄 Animal-derived glycerin exists (from tallow), but it’s rarely used in modern personal care products due to ethical and sourcing concerns.

At Bareborn, we use plant-based glycerin for its purity, effectiveness, and compatibility with all skin types — including sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Clinically Proven Benefits of Glycerin

1. Deep, Long-Lasting Hydration

Glycerin penetrates into the stratum corneum and binds water, creating a long-lasting moisture reservoir for your skin.

🔬 A 2008 review confirmed glycerin’s ability to improve hydration and restore barrier function, making it ideal for dry, sensitive skin.

Source: Fluhr JW et al., Br J Dermatol

2. Repairs and Strengthens the Skin Barrier

A healthy barrier keeps good things in (like water) and bad things out (like pollutants). Glycerin helps restore this barrier when it’s damaged by things like harsh cleansers or environmental stress.

🔬 A 1999 study showed that glycerin accelerated recovery of barrier function after damage caused by irritants like sodium lauryl sulfate.

Source: Fluhr JW et al., Acta Derm Venereol

3. Soothes Dryness and Irritation

Glycerin is often used in medical-grade moisturizers because of how well it calms symptoms of xerosis, eczema, and dermatitis — without any greasy after-feel.

Dermatology reviews cite glycerin as one of the safest, most effective humectants for treating dryness, redness, and flaking.

4. Improves Skin Texture and Elasticity

In addition to hydration, glycerin helps your skin feel and look smoother, softer, and more elastic.

🔬 A 2017 study found that a moisturizer containing glycerin and xylitol improved skin elasticity and biomechanical properties after 2 weeks of daily use.

Source: Korponyai C et al., Acta Derm Venereol

Why We Use Glycerin in Bareborn

We use a 12% blend of Glycerin, Centella Asiatica, and Green Tea Extract in our Multi-Purpose Face Solution. It’s not just there for hydration — it’s the foundation that makes everything else in our formula work better.

It helps:

• Calm the skin after shaving or stress

• Prevent dryness from powerful actives like salicylic acid

• Deliver a soft, hydrated finish — no grease, no stickiness

• Improve skin texture over time

TL;DR – What Glycerin Does for Your Skin

• ✅ Hydrates deeply and consistently

• ✅ Repairs and protects the skin barrier

• ✅ Soothes dryness, irritation, and redness

• ✅ Improves skin elasticity and smoothness

• ✅ Safe for all skin types, non-comedogenic, clinically proven