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Glycerin

What Glycerin is & what it does

A workhorse humectant that draws water into the upper layers of skin and helps hold it there, leaving skin softer and more supple. It also improves the feel and stability of the formula and supports the skin barrier.

What does Glycerin do in sunscreen?

Glycerin is a humectant: it draws and holds water in the upper layers of skin, keeping a sunscreen from feeling tight or drying. It is one of the most studied, effective moisturising ingredients in cosmetics.

Is Glycerin safe?

Yes. Glycerin is considered one of the safest, best-tolerated skincare ingredients, suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin. It mirrors part of the skin's own moisturising system and is non-irritating at cosmetic levels.

Does Glycerin clog pores?

No. Glycerin is non-comedogenic (a comedogenicity rating of 0). It is a water-loving humectant rather than a heavy oil, so it is widely recommended even for breakout-prone skin.

Is Glycerin natural?

It can be either. Most cosmetic glycerin is plant-derived (from oils like coconut, soy or palm) and it also occurs naturally in the skin's own moisturising system; some is synthetic. The plant and synthetic versions are the same molecule and behave identically.

Is Glycerin safe to use during pregnancy?

Yes, glycerin has no known pregnancy concern. It is one of the gentlest, best-tolerated humectants and is fine to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Sunscreens with Glycerin

We rate 5924 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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