Lots of people use glycerin in homemade skin care recipes, but what is it and what does it do?
Is glycerin safe for acne-prone skin? Do you even need to add it to your routine?
Is Glycerin Safe for Acne-Prone Skin?
Yes, glycerin is safe if you are prone to acne. This ingredient is a humectant, meaning that it attracts moisture from the air and helps your skin to retain water.
Most of the time, it is used in toners and moisturizers.
In fact, it is often found in acne products because of its ability to hydrate the skin and thereby prevent breakouts.
How to Safely Use Glycerin for Acne-Prone Skin?
Here are some tips to safely use glycerin for acne-prone skin:
1. Try a patch test first
A patch test ensures that you won’t get an allergic reaction and also helps you figure out how much glycerin your skin can tolerate.
To perform a patch test, mix one-part glycerin with three parts water and apply a small amount of this solution to the inside of your elbow.
Allow it to dry for about 10 minutes then rinse off with lukewarm water.
If you don’t see any redness or irritation after 24 hours, then it’s probably safe for you to use glycerin on your face.
If redness appears and persists for more than 24 hours, discontinue use immediately.
2. Don’t use it on open wounds
Because glycerin can pull water from the air, it can also pull water from your skin, which makes it unsuitable for use on cuts and burns.
3. Use it in moderation
Glycerin is a useful tool to help your skin retain moisture and fight acne.
However, it can be overused, which will dry out your skin and cause more breakouts.
4. Use it once or twice a week
Glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture into the skin.
If you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts, use glycerin only once or twice a week.
Applying it more often can cause clogged pores and acne.
5. Avoid using glycerin-based products in winter
During the winter months, your skin already loses moisture because of cold temperatures.
Using glycerin-based products can further dry out your skin and cause irritation, flakiness, and itching.
Use oil-based moisturizers instead during the winter months.
6. Avoid applying glycerin around your eyes
The sensitive skin under your eyes can get easily irritated.
7. Cleanse
Cleanse your face before applying glycerin to it. Use a mild cleanser and moisturize the skin with a non-comedogenic moisturizer after rinsing it off.
Will Glycerin Make Your Acne Worse?
Glycerin is considered safe for most people when applied to the skin.
Still, some people worry that it can make acne worse. There’s no research to support this claim. If your skin reacts badly to glycerin, you can find a moisturizer without it.
Glycerin is a common ingredient in moisturizers. Many people with acne-prone skin use glycerin in their daily skincare regimen.
Can You Use Glycerin With Other Acne Treatments?
Yes, glycerin is safe to use in addition to any acne treatments you may be currently using.
Glycerin is a natural ingredient that has been used for years as an emollient, meaning it helps keep skin moisturized.
It is also an occlusive agent, which means it creates a barrier over the skin to prevent water loss and help heal dry, cracked, or irritated skin.
Here are other acne treatments that you can use with glycerin:
1. Aloe Vera
2. Tea Tree Oil
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
4. Witch Hazel
5. Turmeric
6. Jojoba Oil
7. Epsom Salt
8. Honey
9. Lemon Juice
10. Neem
Can You Use Glycerin on Your Face Everyday?
Yes, you can use glycerin on your face daily. It’s one of the gentlest moisturizers and works for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Using glycerin every day will help lock in moisture and leave your face hydrated, soft and smooth.
If you have dry or super-sensitive skin, using glycerin can help soothe and relieve that tight feeling after washing your face.
Glycerin also helps protect against irritation caused by hard water by forming a barrier on the skin.
This barrier also helps keep environmental impurities out of the skin, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
How Does Glycerin Compare to Benzoyl Peroxide for Treating Acne?
Glycerine is not an active ingredient in acne treatment. It is a humectant that helps the product be better absorbed by the skin.
Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is an active ingredient that kills acne bacteria, which contributes to acne.
It also has mild anti-inflammatory properties and helps keep pores open so they don’t become clogged with debris and oil.
Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is an active ingredient that kills acne bacteria, which contributes to acne.
It also has mild anti-inflammatory properties and helps keep pores open so they don’t become clogged with debris and oil.
Products containing BPO are available over-the-counter, and in prescription products as well.
They are available in varying strengths from 2.5% to 10%.
How Long Does It Take for Glycerin to Work for Acne?
Typically, you’ll see a noticeable difference in your acne within a week or two of using glycerin. However, if you’re dealing with cystic acne, it could take a bit longer before you notice results.
Also, if you’re switching to glycerin from a different form of treatment, you may need to give it some time to fully kick in before making any judgments about its effectiveness.
If you haven’t seen the results you want after a few weeks, talk to your dermatologist about trying a different treatment option.
Are There Any Side Effects From Using Glycerin for Acne?
Glycerin for acne is considered a safe product and does not have any side effects.
But, there are some people who may be allergic to glycerin or other ingredients in the product and may experience some side effects.
These symptoms include:
- Itchiness
- Burning sensation
- Redness of skin
- Dryness of skin
Benefits of Glycerin for Acne-Prone Skin
Here are the benefits of glycerin for acne-prone skin:
1. Moisturize the skin
For those who have dry and sensitive skin, they will often find their skin dull and rough.
So, using glycerin regularly will help to soften the roughness of the skin and make it soft, smooth and moist.
At the same time, the pores in the skin are not clogged by excess oil.
2. Anti-aging
Using glycerin on a regular basis can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the skin, restore elasticity and make your face look more youthful.
In addition, it also helps keep your face looking younger by preventing premature aging signs such as dark spots, fine lines, or wrinkles.
3. Glycerin is hypoallergenic
The main reason why most people use this moisturizer is that it doesn’t cause any allergic reactions to their skin. It’s non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores or cause acne breakouts.
In addition, it’s safe to use around the eyes and won’t cause any irritation or redness there either.
4. Keeps your skin smooth and supple
Glycerin naturally moisturizes your skin which keeps it moist and healthy-looking all day long.
This helps prevent dryness that can lead to wrinkles and fine lines over time.
5. Reduces acne
In addition to preventing new breakouts, glycerin can help reduce existing acne too.
It does so by getting rid of dead skin cells, which can clog pores and cause pimples to form. It is also great for toning the pores.
6. Treats skin irritation & inflammation
Glycerin is a great moisturizer for soothing inflamed, irritated or red skin.
It helps to restore the water balance of your skin and provides relief from itchiness.
Glycerin can be applied to the entire body. It is also used as an ingredient in lotions and creams for people with sensitive skin.
Final Thoughts
We hope that the answer provided will help you put glycerin to work for your skin.
We recognize that not all acne is the same and that some people will be able to tolerate glycerin more than others.
We also know that there is no such thing as a miracle cure, implying that you need to use a variety of products and treatments to get the best results.
In any case, we believe glycerin is a great moisturizer for a number of reasons, and we encourage those with oily or acne-prone skin to give it a try.
