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Glycerin

Glycerin, also called glycerol, is a humectant: it draws water into the outer layer of the skin and helps hold it there. Formulators also use it to keep a product from drying out and to adjust its texture. It turns up in moisturisers, cleansers, hair products and makeup, and it can be made from plant oils or produced synthetically.

Checked against 5 sources on 10 October 2026. How pages are written

Why is it in the product?

A review in the British Journal of Dermatology describes glycerol improving the hydration of the skin's outer layer, its barrier function and its mechanical properties, and helping skin in dry, cold conditions.1

Glycerin does several jobs at once. The US Cosmetic Ingredient Review lists it as a humectant, a skin protectant, a hair conditioning agent, a viscosity-decreasing agent, a fragrance ingredient and a denaturant, among others.2 Which of those it is doing depends on the product.

How it appears on a label

As Glycerin, the common ingredient name used on EU labels.4 You may also see Glycerine or Glycerol on older or non-EU packs. All three are the same substance.

The name does not say where the glycerin came from. A claim such as "plant-derived" is the brand's statement, not part of the ingredient list.

Across skincare, haircare, makeup and body care

  • Moisturisers and body lotions: as a humectant and skin protectant.21
  • Shampoos and conditioners: as a hair conditioning agent and to adjust the formula's flow.2
  • Makeup and cleansers: as a humectant and a solvent, helping other ingredients dissolve.23

What to keep in mind

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel concluded that glycerin is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the practices of use and concentration it reviewed.2 Glycerin near the top of a list usually means there is a fair amount of it, but the list gives no percentages.5

What it does in a formula

Helps attract waterOfficial EU function: Humectant
Helps protect skinOfficial EU function: Skin protecting
Dissolves other ingredientsOfficial EU function: Solvent
Gives the textureOfficial EU function: Viscosity controlling
Adds scentOfficial EU function: Perfuming
Conditions and detangles hairOfficial EU function: Hair conditioning
Makes alcohol undrinkableOfficial EU function: Denaturant
Used in oral careOfficial EU function: Oral care

Sources

  1. Fluhr JW, Darlenski R, Surber C. Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions. British Journal of Dermatology 2008;159(1):23-34. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Checked 10 October 2026.
  2. Becker LC, et al. Safety assessment of glycerin as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology 2019;38(3 suppl):6S-22S. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Checked 10 October 2026.
  3. European Commission. CosIng entry GLYCERIN: INCI name and functions, as exported on 9 October 2026. ec.europa.eu Checked 10 October 2026.
  4. Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175 of 16 June 2025 on the glossary of common ingredient names for use in the labelling of cosmetic products. eur-lex.europa.eu Checked 10 October 2026.
  5. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products, consolidated text of 1 May 2025, Articles 14, 19 and 33. Official Journal of the European Union. eur-lex.europa.eu Checked 10 October 2026.

Written for this site from the sources above and checked against them on 10 October 2026. Not reviewed by a dermatologist or toxicologist, and not medical advice. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.