Glycerin
Humectant that helps products hold water; adds slip and softness Also on labels as: glycerol, glycerine
Reviewed on
What it does
Glycerin is a humectant — it attracts and holds water. In hair products it's used as a conditioning ingredient and to give formulas slip and a soft feel; it's a staple of leave-in conditioners and curl creams. A US safety panel lists its functions in cosmetics as including hair conditioning agent and humectant.
Cautions
- Glycerin is very well tolerated; the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel concluded it is safe as used in cosmetics.
- Some people with curly hair feel glycerin-rich products make hair frizzier or stickier in very humid or very dry weather. That's anecdotal — we found no studies on it.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence: Cosmetic
Changes how hair looks or feels; not a treatment for any condition.
Its safety is well established, but we found no clinical studies of glycerin's effect on hair, so the benefits are rated cosmetic.
Products on this site that list it
Not medical advice. This guide is general information from the sources listed, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist. If you are worried, or symptoms are severe or not improving, get advice. Read our health information policy.