Why Glycerin?
Glycerin is a tried and true skincare active.
Glycerin is also a Natural Moisturizing Factor produced in the skin to maintain healthy barrier function and skin homeostasis.
From a dermatology perspective, glycerin serves as one gold standard moisturizing ingredient, with recognition of its benefits on skin dating back to the 1930’s, supported by decades of published research. The benefits are so widely accepted that a group of renowned researchers referred to glycerin as “one of the best natural moisturizers in living systems” (Atrux-Tullau et. al, 2010).
mighty dab™ Intense Glycerin Balm incorporates more than 30% glycerin into a luxurious formula that is comfortably applied to dry skin and distressed extremities. The 100% concentrated product targets the upper glycerin concentration ranges required to achieve the skin benefits reported in the scientific literature.
This body of literature demonstrates that when applied at the right concentrations, glycerin provides:
- Skin moisturization
- Recovery of skin barrier integrity
- Improved skin appearance and feel
All these benefits from just one ingredient?
Below, we summarize what other dermatologists and researchers have published in peer reviewed scientific journals.
Increased skin moisturization and improved barrier function
In 1999, J.W. Fluhr and colleagues reported that glycerin accelerates barrier recovery in vivo. Using tools standard to the industry, the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and the skin moisture content were measured on two types of skin that were prepared as follows to simulate barrier compromised skin: (1) repeated washing with an established chemical irritant (sodium lauryl sulfate, an ingredient in some soaps) and (2) tape stripped to remove the upper skin barrier layers (stratum corneum). The number of participants for these two groups were 19 and 12, respectively.
For the first case, irritant contact dermatitis induced by SLS models the erythema, dryness, scaling and compromised barrier function experienced by those in our communities. For example, hand dermatitis cases resulting from excessive handwashing affects school-aged children, teachers, hair stylists, aestheticians and healthcare professionals, just to name a few.
Following repeated skin exposure to SLS, the TEWL values and the skin moisture content (derived from the capacitance measurements) were both improved after glycerin treatment at two concentrations, 21% and 43%, relative to the formulation base where water was added to make up for the absence of glycerin.
For the second case, where skin was tape-stripped, pure glycerin was applied to the treatment sites. The glycerin treated sites were left either open or occluded (covered with a plastic chamber). The TEWL values recovered more rapidly over a period of 3 days for the glycerin treated skin sites.
The benefits of glycerin for skin hydration and TEWL have also been investigated and demonstrated by other researchers.
In 2006, Andersen and colleagues reported the anti-irritant activity of glycerin, for treating irritant dermatitis induced by sodium lauryl sulfate.
Similarly, Atrux-Tullau et. al (2010) demonstrated the benefits of glycerin to treat acute skin exposure to SLS.
For barrier compromised skin associated with eczema, a 20% glycerin formulation applied twice-daily over a 4 week period provided improved skin hydration values, with statistically significant improvements in the TEWL noted at 4 weeks of glycerin application, compared with the formulation vehicle (Breternitz, 2008).
Batik fabric workers with hand dermatitis showed a 20% decrease in the hand eczema severity index, a 20% decrease in TEWL, and a 20% increase in skin hydration (Budianti, 2024).
Smoother, softer skin
In addition to skin moisturization and barrier repair, glycerin provides optical and mechanical benefits to skin.
Glycerin has been reported to reduce light scattering on dry skin to improve skin translucency (Fluhr 2008).
A 15% glycerin formulation demonstrated skin smoothening effects lasting 24 hours, when compared to the corresponding vehicle (Batt et. al 1987).
Using a skin suction device, the mechanical properties of skin treated with glycerin were examined with repeated pull and release cycles to show an improvement in skin elasticity and suppleness (or stretchiness) (Dobrev 2000).
Additional benefits
In addition to promoting healthy skin, glycerin is reported to improve wound healing and provide protection as an anti-irritant in the presence of known skin irritating chemicals. We will cover more details regarding these benefits in the upcoming months.