But what exactly is glycerin and what does it do? “Glycerin is a light, versatile and hydrating ingredient which is found in many types of products,” explains Laftah. “Due to its hydrating properties, it’s commonly used in cleansers, moisturisers, and sunscreens. It hydrates the skin barrier by drawing water from the atmosphere into the stratum corneum, which is the top layer of skin.”
Like hyaluronic acid, glycerin has benefits for all skin types, since hydrated skin leads to healthy skin. But it’s an especially beneficial ingredient for those with dry or dehydrated skin types, or if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin—since it’s non-comedogenic. Now, chances are you’re already benefitting from glycerin in your skincare routine, but in case you’re not, we’ve rounded up the ultimate edit of the best glycerin skincare products below—the ingredient features heavily in all of these formulas.