What it does
The most foundational humectant in skincare. Pulls water into the upper layers of skin and strengthens the skin barrier.
Best for
Every skin type. Found in virtually every lifting cream because it makes everything else feel better and work better.
The full picture
Glycerin is the workhorse humectant in modern cosmetics. It pulls water from the deeper layers of skin and the surrounding environment into the stratum corneum, then helps that water stay there. It also supports skin barrier repair by encouraging the right lipid arrangement between corneocytes. Glycerin works at every concentration but typically appears at 3-10% in lifting creams as a supporting ingredient that makes the whole formula more comfortable and more effective.
Evidence
Glycerin improves skin barrier function, hydration, and reduces transepidermal water loss.
Read the source: Cleveland Clinic: glycerin in skincare ->