PoreWise One finding · Review article · 2008
Study title
Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Kind of evidence
- Review article 2008 · Humans in the cited studies, plus animal and in-vitro work on mechanism · PMID 18510666
- Measured outcome
- Skin effect
- Year
- 2008
- Who was studied
- Humans in the cited studies, plus animal and in-vitro work on mechanism
- Sample size
- Measured outcome
- Topical glycerol improves stratum corneum hydration, barrier function and skin mechanical properties. The review also reports reduced irritation response and faster wound healing, and traces the effect to aquaporin-3 transport and to glycerol's own presence in the skin.
- Certainty
- Moderate
- Who was measured
- Leave-on products. The review discusses both healthy skin and skin with dry or barrier-impaired conditions such as atopic dermatitis.
- Study limits
- A narrative review. It compiles mechanisms and results from other studies.
Where it comes from
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
Published by British Journal of Dermatology (Fluhr, Darlenski & Surber) · Last checked 2026-10-26
Ingredients it was measured on
Skin concerns studied
Other findings on the same ingredient or concern
- Skin effectCombined effects of glycerol and petrolatum in an emollient cream: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study in healthy volunteers with dry skin
In a randomized, double-blind, four-arm crossover study of 51 healthy volunteers with dry skin, an emollient containing glycerol and petrolatum raised corneometry-measured skin moisture significantly above its vehicle (P < 0.0001) over 12 hours. The authors attributed the hydration gain to the glycerol component and the lower water loss to the petrolatum component.
Human trial · 2020 · 51 people · healthy volunteers with dry skin (Kligman score 2 or 3) · Corneometry (skin moisture) and transepidermal water loss over 12 hours after one application. · Measured on the forearms. The significant hydration result comes from the full emollient containing both glycerol and petrolatum.
- Skin effectPubChem
Glycerin is classified as a humectant in cosmetic ingredient databases: its role in a formula is to hold water.
Official ingredient listing · Cosmetic formulas generally. · Ingredient database · GLYCERIN · Skin effect of to the stratum corneum comes from a separate review of the literature. · Ingredient database · GLYCERIN
- Skin effectThe 24-hr, 28-day, and 7-day post-moisturizing efficacy of ceramides 1, 3, 6-II containing moisturizing cream compared with hydrophilic cream on skin dryness and barrier disruption in senile xerosis treatment
In adults with mild-to-moderate xerosis (senile xerosis), a cream containing ceramides 1, 3, 6-II improved stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss and skin pH more than a hydrophilic cream, measured at 24 hours and after 28 days of twice-daily use.
Human trial · 2019 · 24 people · adults (91.7% female, mean age ~55) with mild-to-moderate senile xerosis · Leave-on moisturizers for dry skin. The study enrolled adults with mild-to-moderate xerosis. · Small single-site study (24 participants), split-site comparison on the shins, 28 days. It shows the tested formula outperformed a basic hydrophilic cream on measured skin parameters.
- Skin effectEffects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
In a double-blind, randomized, half-face controlled trial of 25 Chinese women with sensitive skin, a moisturizer containing 5% fermented tea seed oil significantly improved facial skin hydration versus a base moisturizer over 4 weeks, alongside reductions in redness and facial wrinkles.
Human trial · 2026 · 25 people · young Chinese women with sensitive skin · Facial skin hydration, redness and wrinkles over 4 weeks. · Skin microbiome diversity showed similar change; the study has a company background.
- Skin effectFunctional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 26 women selected for low stratum corneum water content, applying a lotion and emulsion containing 0.05% sodium trehalose sulfate to the face for 4 weeks decreased transepidermal water loss and increased stratum corneum water content versus the active-free placebo.
Human trial · 2024 · 26 people · Japanese women aged 33-59 with low stratum corneum water content, high water evaporation and low surface lipids · Facial TEWL and stratum corneum water content over 4 weeks. · Small sample (13 per group); part of the paper reports in-vitro 3D epidermal model work, which is separate from the human trial; company-affiliated research.