Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are two natural substances in the human body. In the skin care product industry, both are used to add moisture, bounce, and balance to the skin. However, they are chemically different and have different properties.
The key difference between glycerin and hyaluronic acid is their availability in the body. Glycerin is a sugar alcohol present mainly in the liver, kidneys, and other body tissues, including muscle and brain, while hylorunoic acid is an anionic, nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan distributed widely throughout connective, epithelial, and neural tissues.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Glycerin
3. What is Hyaluronic Acid
4. Similarities – Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid
5. Glycerin vs Hyaluronic Acid in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Glycerin vs Hyaluronic Acid
7. FAQ – Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid
What is Glycerin?
Glycerin (glycerol) is a type of carbohydrate called sugar alcohol. In the human body, it is found mainly in the stratum corneum of the skin, the liver, the kidneys, and in other body tissues, including muscle and the brain. It is also a chemical used in foods, soaps, medicines, and skin products. Glycerin occurs naturally in plants through the fermentation of sugars. In industries, glycerin is mainly produced by the hydrolysis of fats and oils.
Figure 01: Glycerin
Glycerin has many health benefits. It improves skin health by helping retain moisture, relieves constipation due to its laxative properties, and improves athletic performance. Furthermore, glycerin is used in various industries in products such as lipsticks, hair coloring products, bath soaps, detergents, skin care products, tanning products, baby care items, eye creams, shaving products, hair conditioners, oral care products, oral medicines, candies, cookies, food preservatives, ice cream, and toothpaste.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural compound found throughout the body especially in eyes, joints and skin. It is normally produced by fermenting certain types of bacteria.
Figure 02: Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid has many health benefits. It helps joints move smoothly, aids in retaining water in the skin and eyes, and keeps the skin flexible. Furthermore, hyaluronic acid is used in cosmetics, such as skincare and makeup products, for its moisturizing and anti-aging benefits. It is also found in eye drops to relieve dry eyes and in gauze to reduce the size of sores and promote healing.
Similarities Between Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid
- Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are two naturally occurring substances in the human body.
- Both are carbohydrates.
- They can retain moisture in the skin.
- Both are widely used in the cosmetic industry.
- They have fewer side effects and are approved by the FDA in the United States.
Difference Between Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid
Definition
- Glycerin is a sugar alcohol present mainly in stratum corneum of skin, the liver, kidneys, and in other body tissues, including muscle and brain.
- Hyaluronic acid is an anionic, nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan mainly found in the fluids in the eyes and joints.
Chemical Formula
- Glycerin has the chemical formula of C3H8O3.
- Hyaluronic acid has the chemical formula of (C14H21NO11)n.
Health Benefits
- Glycerin improves skin health by helping retain moisture, relieves constipation due to laxative properties, and improves athletic performance.
- Hyaluronic acid helps joints move smoothly, aids in retaining water in the skin and eyes, and keeps the skin flexible..
Uses
- Glycerin is included in many products such as lipsticks, hair coloring products, bath soaps, detergents, skincare products, tanning products, baby care products, eye creams, shaving products, hair conditioners, oral care products, oral medicines, candies and cookies, solvents, preservatives in food products, ice cream, and toothpaste base.
- Hyaluronic acid is included in many products such as cosmetics in skin care and make up products, eye drops and gauze.
Side Effects
- Glycerin can cause side effects such as rash, hives, itching, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever, wheezing, tightness in chest or throat, trouble breathing, unusual hoarseness or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Hyaluronic acid can cause side effects such as swelling, redness, and itching at the injection site and an allergic reaction, which can cause severe swelling and difficulty breathing.
The following table summarizes the difference between glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
Summary – Glycerin vs Hyaluronic Acid
Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are both carbohydrates. They are mainly found as natural substances in the human body. However, glycerin is a sugar alcohol, while hylorunoic acid is an anionic, nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan. Moreover, glycerin is used in foods, soaps, medicines, and skin products, whereas hyaluronic acid is often used for treating dry eyes and in moisturizing creams, lotions, ointments, and serums. This is the summary of the difference between glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
FAQ: Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid
1. Is glycerin good for skin?
- Glycerin has been popular as a skin moisturizer for many years and has long been known for its benefits. Glycerin can pull moisture deep from the skin. It aids in skin hydration and elasticity while helping repair the skin’s natural barrier. It also has antimicrobial properties.
2. What is glycerin used for?
- Glycerin is widely used in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Glycerin acts to retain moisture, can sweeten foods without adding sugar, and preserves food due to its antimicrobial properties. It also serves as a binding agent, laxative, and antifreeze.
3. Which food has hyaluronic acid?
- Hyaluronic acid naturally present in the human body. Foods such as Greens like kale, spinach, coriander, and lettuce are abundant sources of magnesium and they help support hyaluronic acid production. In addition to leafy greens, other food sources of hyaluronic acid include broccoli, avocado, kiwi, beans, and okra.
4. What does hyaluronic acid do for skin?
- Hyaluronic acid is used in moisturizing creams, ointments, lotions, and serums. It makes the skin flexible. Hyaluronic acid also helps skin stretch and flex and reduces skin wrinkles and lines. Moreover, it is proven to help wounds heal faster and can reduce scarring, too.
5. Is it safe to take hyaluronic acid every day?
- Yes. Research shows that hyaluronic acid is safe to use and approved by FDA. Adverse effects from hyaluronic acid are rare, and it is also safe to use if people are pregnant or nursing. However, in rare instances hyaluronic acid can cause potential side effects which include bruising, sore injection site, swelling, formation of tiny, temporary bumps and allergic reactions.
Reference:
1. “Pure Glycerin: Benefits, Uses, and Where to Get It.” WebMD.
2. “Hyaluronic Acid: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews.” WebMD.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Glycerin Bottle” By Anupam – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Dropper Bottle of Hyaluronic Acid 2 + B5 Cooled with Ice Cubes” (CC0) via Pexels
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