Glycerin recommendation as moisturiser

coffeehound

Just a recommendation for using raw glycerin as a moisturiser -- especially for those with sensitive, reactive, allergy-prone or very dry skin.

There was programme on Radio 4 some years back where they basically said that glycerin is the magic ingredient in moisturisers. Have a look in all the best products and chances are they will contain it. So you can save by buying just the key ingredient.

It has a number of distinct advantages:

Brilliant performance as a moisturiser.
Hypoallergenic, so very unlikely to cause any adverse reactions.
Non-comedogenic meaning it does not block pores or cause spots.
Non-greasy -- not at all oily or greasy like most moisturisers are.
Non-shiny -- it leaves skin looking completely matte.
Long lasting -- does not need reapplying during the day.
Can be safely used all around the eyes, even by contact lens wearers.

Personally speaking, discovering glycerin some years ago has transformed my quality of life, having experienced severe dry and reactive skin since birth, with eczema/dermatitis. I now use glycerin all over, literally from head to toe, every day, and in middle age my skin is now the best it has ever been. Using it on the scalp has been a revelation -- for the first time I'm free from a constantly itchy, flaking scalp. It does not make your hair greasy like e.g. baby oil does, but just gives a slight 'wet look' for an hour or so.

To use it, you simply apply it to wet skin with your hands after showering, then towel dry as usual. It doesn't feel like a traditional emollient, but it just . . works!

As a face moisturiser, it is perfect. You can apply it everywhere without fear of spots or blackheads. It is great to be able to moisturise right around the eyes and eyelids without having to worry about it going in your eyes. It does sting just a little if it goes in your eyes, but this passes immediately. (It is an ingredient in synthetic tears and some eye drops so is safe to use.) I used to hate the feeling of dry eyelids because traditional products cannot be used near the eyes. It is so benign you can eat it and it tastes nice.

Another major advantage I've found: due to having used heavy, greasy products earlier in life I was left with an unpleasant persistent blackhead problem. Well it took a couple of years of using glycerin, but the blackheads are completely gone :j

Not being greasy makes it more comfortable too. E.g. when you take a drink from a mug, or your face gets wet in the rain, or when you wash your hands, you don't get that unpleasant slimy sensation you get from other products. There is no oiliness at all.

The only downside I can think of is that since it is a humectant, it absorbs water and so can feel a bit clammy on the body under clothes. But that doesn't last more than an hour or two.

I know coconut oil/fat is a popular choice for a moisturiser here, so one day when I'd run out of glycerin I grabbed some from the kitchen cupboard and gave it a go. Although it was pleasant enough to use, my face felt dry again by late morning. Whereas using glycerin, there's no hint of dryness for the rest of the day.

In terms of cost and where to buy, it has been up and down over the years. For some years it was possible to buy 5 litre drums on ebay for under £15. Unfortunately the quality went downhill across the board in the past 18 months so I've gone back to buying 200 ml bottles from chemists.

Boots' pricing has been weird: it was £1.29 for a long time then it went up to £1.49 and last year down to 99p. Well sadly it has just jumped back to £1.49 when I bought some yesterday. I get through a bottle a week, so that's a painful increase. Will look at other pharmacies next time. In any case, be sure to buy BP / food grade.

So anyway, if you have any kind of dry skin problem, I'd strongly recommend you give it a try.

jenniewb

Glycerine makes products feel very fluid and gives that nice feel with a moisturiser, but it wont moisturise as such, if you have dry skin it will become drier, if you have dehydrated skin it will become drier and as it has no actives (no retinol no vitamin C, E or otherwise) it wont do anything for the signs of aging either.
But each to their own, if it works for you by all means use it alone. I wouldn't!

coffeehound

jenniewb wrote: »

... but it wont moisturise as such, if you have dry skin it will become drier, if you have dehydrated skin it will become drier ...

Did you actually read the OP? I find it bizarre that you would write this directly after a post that has just gone into some detail on exactly what a good moisturiser it is. And you then indicate that you've not even tried it.

As a humectant, it doesn't have to rely on some sort of oily/greasy/synthetic barrier like emollients do. So it doesn't work in the conventional way.

I'm no dermatologist, but in 40-odd years have tried everything from the dreadful slop prescribed by the NHS, via the high street's usual suspects, on to higher-end products such as those by Clinique and Channel, and also natural moisturisers like coconut oil, olive oil, nut oils, and shea- and coco butters.

After all of that, I find glycerin to be more effective than anything else. Four years of using it exclusively and my skin is healthier than ever before, so I don't see the need to use anything else. Especially anything harsh like retinol.

I hope your post doesn't put people off trying glycerin as it might just improve their quality of life.

tub28

How do you use it on your hair/ scalp? Thanks for all the info.

coffeehound

Hi. I don't know how easy it is for people with more hair as mine is only a few inches long, but:

After washing and rinsing your hair, squeegee the excess water out of the hair using your hands. Then pour some glycerin into the palm of your hand and apply it directly to your head/hair. You might need to do this three or four times to different places on your head to get enough on all round. Then spend 30 seconds or so spreading it around and massaging it in to cover all of your scalp. Dry as usual.

Hope it is helpful for you.

tub28

Thanks, I'll give it a go

milatuk

glycerin attracts water from the air. using just glycerin youre going to just end up with a wet face. the other ingredients in moisturisers is what makes that moisture from the air penetrate the skin

coffeehound

milatuk wrote: »

glycerin attracts water from the air. using just glycerin youre going to just end up with a wet face. the other ingredients in moisturisers is what makes that moisture from the air penetrate the skin

No, you don't end up with a wet face. And in my experience, no other product is required.

jenniewb

coffeehound wrote: »

Did you actually read the OP? I find it bizarre that you would write this directly after a post that has just gone into some detail on exactly what a good moisturiser it is. And you then indicate that you've not even tried it.

As a humectant, it doesn't have to rely on some sort of oily/greasy/synthetic barrier like emollients do. So it doesn't work in the conventional way.

I'm no dermatologist, but in 40-odd years have tried everything from the dreadful slop prescribed by the NHS, via the high street's usual suspects, on to higher-end products such as those by Clinique and Channel, and also natural moisturisers like coconut oil, olive oil, nut oils, and shea- and coco butters.

After all of that, I find glycerin to be more effective than anything else. Four years of using it exclusively and my skin is healthier than ever before, so I don't see the need to use anything else. Especially anything harsh like retinol.

I hope your post doesn't put people off trying glycerin as it might just improve their quality of life.

Just because you don't agree with me, there's no need to be so strong in what you say and yes I did read the report, I just didn't agree with it. I have heard and read previous to the contrary.