Time and time again, we hear that hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane are the MVPs of winter skin care. And yes, these ingredients are amazing, but there is another moisturizer that may not be on your radar, but absolutely should. Enter: glycerin. According to Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, it’s the unsung hero of winter skin care.
“When I apply a product, I can tell immediately when glycerin is high on the ingredient list,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. “It just feels like butter.”
Glycerin is a humectant, which is a type of ingredient that works like a sponge to draw moisture into the skin. “Hyaluronic acid is also a humectant, but hyaluronic acid doesn’t give products the slick feeling of glycerin,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. Typically, you’ll find glycerin in moisturizers that combine with moisture-locking ingredients, like petrolatum and lanolin, to help lock in the moisture that glycerin attracts. “In general, humectants work best when combined with a light cover or cover to prevent moisture from evaporating,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd.
Glycerin moisturizer feels thick and creamy as the ingredient continues to flow to the point where it can make even a $6 formula feel luxurious. To make sure you get a buttery, delicious taste, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says to make sure glycerin is in the first five ingredients listed on the label, as ingredients are listed from high concentrations. to the lowest concentration. Below, shop for four dermatologically approved formulas that fit the bill.
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4 Moisturizing Cream Glycerin Dr. Favorite Woolery-Lloyd
Pond’s Dry Lotion — $10.00
Dr Woolery-Lloyd said: “This is an old fashioned product and it has been around for a long time for a reason. “It will never go away.” Glycerin is the fifth ingredient in this rich cream, feels buttery smooth and leaves your skin feeling soft. Note that it contains fragrance, so if you are prone to sensitivities, get this fragrance-free version instead.
Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream — $5.00
Dr. Woolery-Looyd is constantly washing hands between patients, so it’s important to have a good hand cream—and this Eucerin hand cream is her favorite. “My hands are very dry so I have to wash them several times a day, so it is very important for me to have a great hand moisturizer,” she says. It combines glycerin (which is ingredient #3) with urea, a skin-softening chemical exfoliant that helps moisture penetrate the deepest layers of your skin.
Atopalm MLE Cream — $20.00
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd is also a big fan of this Atopalm face and body lotion, which lists glycerin as the second ingredient after water. It is also high in ceramides, which help strengthen the skin barrier to prevent transepidermal water loss and lock in moisture.
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