10 Amazing Benefits Of Glycerin For Oily Skin

Understand how this plant-based ingredient helps maintain your skin's natural oil balance.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Vindhya L Veerula, MD, FAAD
June 22, 2022 By Ramona Sinha, Certified Skin Care Coach

10 Amazing Benefits Of Glycerin For Oily Skin

Glycerin has immense skin benefits and is one of the best ingredients for oily skin. One of the key benefits of glycerin for oily skin is that it attracts moisture from the air to keep the skin moisturized without causing greasiness. That is why you will find glycerin in most oil-free skin products. This humectant prevents moisture loss and adds a natural glow to your skin. Keep reading to learn how glycerin may benefit oily skin.

In This Article

Can Glycerin Be Used For Oily Skin?

The answer is yes! Now, many of you might think that glycerin is a humectant and suitable only for dry skin beauties. But, it’s equally suitable for oily skin.

Glycerin (or Glycerol) is a plant-based oil that was accidentally discovered by a Swedish chemist in 1779 when he was heating a mixture of olive oil.

Being an all-natural product, glycerin is exceptionally gentle even on sensitive skin and helps soothe skin woes such as inflammation and redness. And, the best part is, it is non-greasy and has numerous other skin benefits. It is found in countless skin and beauty products.

Benefits Of Glycerin For Oily Skin

1. It Has An Anti-Aging Effect

Anti-aging effects of gycerin for oily skin

Shutterstock

Now that can get anyone excited about a product! Glycerin (or Glycerol) is a key ingredient in anti-aging products, thanks to its moisturizing properties. Lack of moisture affects the protease activity in your skin, leading to skin peeling and accelerating skin aging. Glycerin attracts moisture from the environment and increases the moisture content of your skin – and this slows down the aging process (1).

2. It Is Anti-Irritant

Glycerin is extremely gentle on the skin. As it is a plant-based substance, it is widely used for treating skin irritation, rashes, and itches. A study conducted on hairless mice found that glycerol could cure skin irritation induced by Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, or SLS, (an active ingredient in many beauty products) and repaired the skin barrier with its anti-inflammatory properties (2).

It can even soothe irritation caused by other skin issues, such as psoriasis and eczema.

3. Glycerin Improves Skin Permeability

Oily skin permeability improving benefits of glycerin

Shutterstock

Dehydrated skin (due to lack of moisture in your skin or dry weather) can lose its permeability. However, applying glycerin can reverse this, thereby maintaining your skin absorption levels (3).

4. It Promotes Cell Maturation

A study shows that glycerin rejuvenates the skin by promoting skin cell maturation. Your skin sheds numerous cells and produces younger cells to replace them. The top layer of your skin contains the mature cells that produce lipids that form the protective barrier on your skin. Glycerin helps the young cells mature and move up to the surface before they are eventually shed (4). If this process is interrupted, your skin will look dull and dry.

5. It Gives You Smoother Skin

Shutterstock

Applying glycerin will give you smoother looking skin without making it greasy or oily. Glycerin is a humectant – it draws moisture from the environment to keep your skin hydrated and smooth.

6. It Improves Skin Elasticity

Excessive exposure to UV rays can deplete collagen levels in the skin and lead to significant skin damage. A study conducted in 2014 found that glycerin, along with other compounds, could maintain the skin’s elasticity levels and keep it youthful (5).

7. It Helps In Wound Healing And Infection Control

Glycerin offers wound healing and infection control benefits

Shutterstock

Solutions with 85% glycerin content have bactericidal and antiviral effects, facilitating fast wound healing. A study found that the application of glycerin on wounds effectively reduced inflammation. Moreover, glycerin-based products were also found to be antimicrobial (6).

8. It Is An Excellent Toner For Oily Skin

Glycerin can also be used as a toner for oily skin. It is non-greasy, and hence, it can keep your skin toned and hydrated without triggering excessive sebum production.

9. It Can Be Used As A Cleanser

Shutterstock

Oily skinned people are prone to acne and breakouts. Since glycerin has a neutral effect on your skin, you can easily use glycerin-based products to keep your skin clean and remove all traces of impurities without making it look excessively dry and stretchy.

10. It Prevents Photoaging

Glycerin is a common ingredient in most of the commercially available sunscreens as it helps prevent the extensive damage otherwise caused by the UV rays (7). Regular application of such a sunscreen also improves uneven skin tone caused by sun exposure.

Now you know why glycerin is a must-have in your beauty arsenal. While you can always buy beauty products containing glycerin, you can even use it as a separate ingredient in DIY remedies. And if you want to avoid putting any other chemicals on your skin, glycerin is the best bet. I will tell you how.

How To Use Glycerin For Oily Skin

Shutterstock

Here are a few ways you can use glycerin on your skin:

1. As An After-Wash

Wash your face with water and pat dry with a towel.
Make sure it is a bit damp.
Take a few drops of glycerin on a cotton ball and apply all over your face.
Avoid the eye and the mouth areas.
Let it stay for 20-30 minutes.
Wash it off.

2. As A Toner

Take one-fourth cup of glycerin and dilute it with half a cup of rose water.
Store it in a spray bottle.
Wash your face thoroughly and spritz the solution on it.

3. As An Anti-Aging Face Pack

Take an egg white in a bowl and beat it until it is frothy.
Add a teaspoon each of glycerin and honey to it and mix.
Apply to your face using your fingertips and leave it to dry.
Wash with warm water.

4. As A Moisturizer

Take a tablespoon each of Vaseline, vitamin E oil (squeeze the capsules), and glycerin.
Mix well and store in a glass container.
Massage into your skin before going to bed and leave it on overnight.

Note: Use in small proportions.

5. To Reduce Blemishes

Mix one tablespoon each of milk and glycerin.
Apply to your skin and let it dry.
Wipe with a moist cloth.

6. For Minor Burns

Apply diluted glycerin directly to the affected area and let it stay for 20 minutes.
Wash it off with cold water.
Repeat the process as needed.

7. For Rashes And Inflammation

Take one teaspoon of beeswax, half a cup of shea butter, and a quarter cup of coconut oil. Mix them well. You can even melt them.
Add two tablespoons of glycerin (once the mixture is cold) and mix thoroughly.
Beat the entire mixture in a blender until it turns creamy.
Store in a glass jar and apply to the rash.

Although glycerin is extremely gentle and relatively safe to be used on your skin, there are a few precautions you need to take.

Precautions To Take Before Using Glycerin

Shutterstock

Do a patch test. Yes. Even though glycerin is non-toxic, you should NEVER use it on your skin without testing its suitability.
Always mix glycerin with any other ingredient before application. If you are using only glycerin, dilute it with rose water or distilled water. Never use more than required.
Glycerin always tends to make the skin a little sun sensitive. So, after you have used glycerin on your face, apply sunscreen before you go out in the sun.
Avoid mixing glycerin with any sticky lotions and creams as it might feel heavy on your skin.

Glycerin is a popular humectant used in oil-free skin products to retain moisture in your skin without making it greasy. Some of the benefits of glycerin for oily skin include slowing down skin aging, improving skin elasticity, and reducing inflammation. You can incorporate glycerin into your skincare routine as a toner, after wash, or moisturizer. Keep in mind that glycerin should be mixed with rose or distilled water before application. Conduct a patch test before using it to check for adverse reactions.