Why Glycerin-Based Products May Not Be Your Best Friend

As the temperature drops and winter sets in, many of us notice changes in our skin and hair. That moisturizer or hair conditioner that worked wonders during summer might suddenly leave you feeling dry and uncomfortable. If your products contain glycerin—a common ingredient in many personal care formulations—this could explain the seasonal shift in effectiveness.

Understanding Glycerin

The Humidity-Dependent Humectant Glycerin (also called glycerol) is a colorless, odorless liquid that belongs to a class of ingredients known as humectants. These substances are prized in skincare and haircare for their ability to attract and hold moisture. Under ideal conditions, glycerin pulls water from the atmosphere and binds it to the skin or hair, creating a hydrating effect.

However, glycerin's performance is highly dependent on environmental humidity levels—a crucial factor that many product labels fail to mention.

The Winter Humidity Problem

During winter months, two environmental factors significantly impact how glycerin behaves:

1. Low outdoor humidity - Cold air holds less moisture than warm air

2. Indoor heating - Further reduces ambient humidity in our living spaces

When the air around us lacks sufficient moisture, glycerin's behavior changes dramatically. Instead of drawing moisture from the humid air, it may begin pulling water from the deeper layers of your skin or hair shaft—essentially working against you.

The Science Behind Glycerin's Winter Behavior

The mechanism behind glycerin's functionality involves osmosis—the movement of water molecules from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration. In high humidity, the concentration of water is greater in the air than in your skin or hair, so glycerin helps pull that moisture inward.

However, when winter air becomes extremely dry (often below 30-40% relative humidity), the water concentration becomes higher in your skin than in the surrounding air. In this scenario, glycerin may reverse its action, drawing moisture outward from your skin or hair to reach equilibrium with the environment.

Effects on Skin & Hair During Winter

While glycerin can increase epidermal hydration, its effectiveness diminishes significantly in dry winter conditions. When used in low humidity without proper occlusive agents (ingredients that create a barrier, like our "Moisture, Puddin & Whipped"), glycerin-heavy products may contribute to:

• Increased transepidermal water loss

• Tight, uncomfortable skin sensation

• Exacerbation of dry skin conditions

• Flaking and irritation

• Dry brittle hair, split-ends

• Flaking and irritation of the scalp

  
  

Impact on Hair in Cold Weather

For hair care, the effects can be equally problematic. When glycerin draws moisture from your hair strands rather than the air, you might experience:

• Brittle, straw-like texture

• Increased breakage

• Static and flyaways

• Loss of elasticity

  
  

Curly and textured hair types often face the most significant challenges with glycerin during winter, as these hair types are already prone to dryness and require consistent moisture balance.

Expert Opinions on Winter Glycerin Use

Hair and skincare professionals often recommend adjusting your glycerin usage based on seasonal changes. Many experts suggest that while glycerin is beneficial for hydration, its performance is highly contingent on environmental humidity.

Dermatologists frequently note that in dry winter air, glycerin alone may not provide sufficient moisture retention. Similarly, hair specialists observe that glycerin's position in a product's ingredient list becomes more critical during winter—the higher it appears (indicating greater concentration), the more cautious you should be about using that product in dry conditions.

Alternatives and Adaptations for Winter Care

Rather than eliminating glycerin based products entirely from your winter routine, consider these expert-recommended approaches:

For Skincare:

• Look for products where glycerin is listed in the middle or end of the ingredient list (indicating lower concentration)

• Layer glycerin-containing products with occlusive moisturizers containing ingredients like shea, kokum butters, ("Whipped, Moisture & Puddin") to seal in hydration

• Consider our phyto nutrient shampoos which people also use as face wash like "Clean & Complicated " as an alternative humectant

• Use a humidifier in your home to increase ambient moisture levels

For Haircare:

• Switch to glycerin-free conditioners and styling products during the driest months("Drink & Leave")

• If using glycerin-containing products, apply them only to damp hair in steamy environments (like right after showering) & use a barrier product like our "Whipped or Puddin"

• Seal in moisture with natural oils after using any glycerin-based product

• Consider protein-balanced deep conditioners that rely less on glycerin for moisture like our "Deep" which is full of oils and butters

  
  

How to Identify Glycerin in Your Products

Glycerin may appear on ingredient labels under several names:

• Glycerin

• Glycerol

• Glycerine

• Glycerina

• Vegetable glycerin

Additionally, be aware that glycerin is often present in products marketed as "hydrating," "moisturizing," or "for dry skin/hair."

Making Glycerin based products Work in Winter

Protective Products to Lock in Hydration & Moisture during winter months

If you're committed to your glycerin-containing products year-round, these practical tips can help maximize their effectiveness during winter:

1. Create a moisture-rich microclimate - Use a humidifier in your bedroom and other frequently used spaces

2. Apply products to damp skin or hair - This gives glycerin a water source other than your skin or hair and apply "Whipped or Puddin". To hydrate and moisturize your hair us "Moisture" everday.

3. Layer appropriately - Always follow glycerin-containing products with moisture-sealing ingredients (see 2)

4. Steam treatments - For hair especially, periodic steam treatments can enhance glycerin's effectiveness by providing additional moisture

   
   

Conclusion: Seasonal Adaptation for Optimal Care

Understanding glycerin's based products relationship with environmental humidity empowers you to make informed decisions about your personal care routine as seasons change. While glycerin isn't inherently "bad" during winter, its behavior changes significantly in dry conditions, potentially compromising its intended benefits.

The most effective approach is to adapt your routine seasonally, being mindful of how ingredients interact with changing environmental conditions. By adjusting product selection and application techniques during winter months, you can maintain healthy skin and hair despite challenging weather conditions.

Remember that personal care is never one-size-fits-all—your unique skin type, hair texture, local climate, and indoor environment all influence how ingredients like glycerin will perform for you. Paying attention to how your skin and hair respond as seasons change is ultimately the best guide for refining your winter care routine.

And, remember that UallNaturals adjusts its formulations by eliminating glycerin and replacing it with lightweight oils that replicate its effectiveness for achieving hydrated and moisturized hair.

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