WHEN IT COMES TO GLYCERIN AND HYALURONIC ACID, WHICH SHOULD YOU BE USING? YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED AT THE ANSWER!

When choosing the best skincare routine for you, it’s easy to get tripped up about the right ingredients. There are so many formulations available on the market that are targeted to different skin concerns — from anti-aging to acne to hydration to addressing fine lines and wrinkles. Things get especially confusing when it comes to hydrating versus moisturizing. To that end, in this post, we’ll talk about two common moisturizing and hydration ingredients, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid, respectively. You’ve likely heard about both of these, as each is a common skincare ingredient see on product ingredient lists.

How do these two skincare component powerhouses measure up in terms of efficacy?

What are the differences between the two of them?

Can these two ingredients be used individually or in combination?

Read on and find out more.

Glycerin & hyaluronic acid in skincare 

To put it simply, Glycerin is a humectant. That means that it is a type of moisturizing agent. Glycerin works by drawing water from the air and making it available to the outer layer of your skin. If you look on skincare ingredient lists, Glycerin comes up a lot.  It can be used with more occlusive ingredients too, to help the skin retain moisture by preventing water loss.

So what is hyaluronic acid?

When considering glycerin vs hyaluronic acid, it’s important to know the similarities and differences to choose what’s best for your skin at any given time.

Benefits of glycerin 

Moisture-attracting Glycerin is a star ingredient for soothing and moisturizing creating smoother, more comfortable skin. Glycerin is used to hydrate the outer layer of the skin and by its nature of being semi-occlusive may improve the skin’s ability to retain water. In this way, it may also help provide protection against various skin irritants, in addition to helping speed up the wound-healing process. It replenishes and restores skin so that the natural moisture barrier is strengthened and revitalized. Glycerin also has benefits of softening the skin to improve overall texture. Scaly skin and even psoriasis have been known to be soothed by glycerin.

Hyaluronic acid benefits 

Hyaluronic acid is an absolute hero for hydration! It is a naturally occurring humectant that draws moisture from its surroundings. Applying HA is like letting your skin have a restorative, super hydrating drink of water. Hyaluronic acid has immediate benefits for the skin and also supports skincare products to be layered more effectively. It essentially preps skin to better receive the ingredients that follow. Hyaluronic acid helps skin achieve its self-repairing potential, too.

Glycerin vs hyaluronic acid – do you really need to choose? 

There are benefits of both ingredients individually, and you may find you have a preference for one over the other sometimes. Examine your usual skin type and needs, and note how using glycerin and hyaluronic acid together or apart will have unique qualities. There’s no need to choose one over the other if both serve your skin well, and it’s often recommended to use both together. Hyaluronic acid retains moisture on the surface of the skin, while glycerin has the ability to pull moisture deep from the skin.

Common questions about glycerin & hyaluronic acid 

There are a lot of questions and conversations buzzing around in regards to the difference between glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and how to know when to use each one. Here are some of the top questions we receive.

What is better – glycerin or hyaluronic acid? 

Go for glycerin if you are looking to add moisture, bounce, and balance. To lock in the hydration you have, hyaluronic acid is the best go-to. HA is more likely to stop dry skin from getting worse, making it a great dry skin treatment, while glycerin adds moisture.

Can I use glycerin instead of hyaluronic acid?  

It’s always up to your skin to see how to build up your moisturizing routine. It depends on the results you want and finding the moisturizing formulas that suit lifestyle and texture preferences. Both glycerin and hyaluronic acid are humectants

Does Glycerin contain Hyaluronic Acid? 

No, Glycerin does not contain Hyaluronic Acid. Glycerin is actually an alcohol, and can be derived from animal products, plants, or petroleum. Vegetable glycerin is a variant that is made from plant oils.

Is glycerin a good moisturizer? 

Yes, glycerin is known to be a moisturizing agent due to its ability to drawing out moisture from the deep layers of the skin and also from the air. It’s a common ingredient listed in many moisturizing skincare products.

Should I use glycerin or hyaluronic acid first? 

Hyaluronic acid can be found in hydrating serums and moisturizers and can be used in the form of a topical treatment (applied directly on the skin), a supplement, or through injections. Topical applications, like through a serum, are less invasive and deliver immediate visible results. It can take much longer to see visible results from supplements.

Glycerin is found in moisturizers, masks, cleansers, facial sprays, essences, and serums.

Think of Hyaluronic acid as a base that locks in any moisturizing ingredient that follows. Apply your HA, then always follow with moisturizers (like glycerin) that you want to sink into your skin.

Can I mix the two ingredients? 

Yes, glycerin and hyaluronic acid serum are commonly used together! Here’s why. The science is important here. Glycerin is a small molecule that is capable of absorbing at the skin’s surface. Conversely, Hyaluronic Acid is a very large molecule that sits on top of the skin when applied, creating a hydrating cushion. Combining both Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid provides a superior capacity for binding water and boosting your skin’s hydration.

Final Thoughts

To conclude, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid are amazing skincare ingredients that bind water and boost hydration levels in your skin. Embrace that dewy, hydrated, moisturized effect that these two ingredients provide.

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*information is taken from The Skincare Source.