It's not the fanciest ingredient on a skincare label, but it might just be one of the hardest working.
When it comes to skincare, some ingredients get all the attention. But behind the scenes, there are some incredible ingredients quietly doing the heavy lifting to keep your skin feeling soft, smooth and hydrated.
One of our favourites? Glycerine.
You might have spotted it on the ingredient list of your favourite Herb Farm products, but what exactly is it, and why do we love using it so much?
Let's take a closer look at this little skincare superstar.
So, What Exactly Is Glycerine?
Glycerine is a clear, colourless and odourless liquid with a thick, syrup-like consistency and a naturally sweet taste. It might not sound particularly exciting, but when it comes to skincare, it's a bit of a multitasking marvel!
Glycerine is what's known as a humectant, which is simply a fancy way of saying it attracts and holds onto moisture.
Think of it as a little moisture magnet for your skin.
It helps draw water into the outer layers of your skin, keeping it feeling soft, supple and beautifully hydrated.
And because glycerine mixes easily with water, it's an incredibly versatile ingredient that works wonderfully in all sorts of skincare formulations.
Why Does Your Skin Love Glycerine?
Healthy, happy skin needs moisture, and glycerine is particularly good at helping your skin hold onto it. Here's why we love it:
- It's a hydration hero | Glycerine attracts moisture to the outer layers of your skin, helping to keep it feeling hydrated and comfortable. This is particularly beneficial for skin that's feeling dry, tight or dehydrated.
- It supports your skin's natural barrier | Your skin barrier is your body's first line of defence against the outside world. Glycerine helps support this protective barrier by maintaining hydration, which can reduce moisture loss and help your skin feel more resilient.
- It helps soften the appearance of fine lines | When skin is dehydrated, fine lines can appear more noticeable. By helping to replenish moisture, glycerine can temporarily plump the appearance of skin, leaving it looking smoother and fresher
- It's wonderfully versatile | From lightweight facial mists to nourishing moisturisers, glycerine works beautifully across a wide range of skincare products. It's one of those reliable ingredients that quietly makes a big difference.
Can You Have Too Much of a Good Thing?
Interestingly, yes! While glycerine is fantastic for hydration, using it on its own at very high concentrations isn't necessarily better.
Because glycerine attracts water, the way it behaves depends on the formulation and surrounding humidity. In certain conditions, highly concentrated glycerine can leave skin feeling uncomfortable or contribute to moisture being drawn from deeper skin layers.
That's why skincare formulation is so important.
At The Herb Farm, we carefully balance our ingredients, so they work together to support your skin - rather than simply adding more of one ingredient and hoping for the best.
It's all about getting that balance just right.
Why We Choose Coconut-Derived Glycerine
Not all glycerine comes from the same source. Glycerine can be derived from a variety of materials, including palm oil, animal fats, petroleum-based sources and other plant oils.
More specifically, ours comes from the flesh of coconuts, giving us a plant-based alternative to animal-derived, palm-derived or petroleum-derived glycerine.
It's one of the many thoughtful ingredient choices we make when creating our natural skincare products.
We believe it's important to know not just what goes into your skincare, but where it comes from, too.
A Little Behind-the-Scenes Fun Fact...
Here's something you might not know! At The Herb Farm, we use so much glycerine in our skincare formulations that we go through approximately 24 kilograms every two months.
That's a whole lot of moisture-loving goodness.
It's one of those ingredients our manufacturing team reaches for again and again because it's so effective, versatile and reliable.
And while it might not be the star ingredient printed on the front of the bottle, it's certainly an important part of what makes many of our formulations so lovely to use.
Did You Know Glycerine Has Uses Beyond Skincare?
Glycerine isn't just a favourite in the NZ natural skincare world.
It's also widely used in pharmaceutical products, including certain eye drops, cough syrups and other medicinal formulations.
In specialised medical settings, glycerol (another name for glycerine) also has applications in treatments involving fluid balance and pressure within the body.
Pretty impressive for a humble, clear liquid!
Small Ingredient, Big Benefits
Sometimes it's the simplest ingredients that make the biggest difference.
Glycerine might not have the glamorous reputation of some trending skincare ingredients, but its ability to attract moisture, support the skin barrier and keep skin feeling beautifully hydrated makes it a firm favourite here at The Herb Farm.
And when it's thoughtfully combined with our botanical ingredients and herbal extracts, it becomes part of something pretty special.
So next time you're checking the ingredients on your favourite Herb Farm product and spot glycerine on the list, you'll know exactly why it's there.
A little moisture magnet, quietly helping your skin look and feel its best.
Made with love, care and a whole lot of botanical goodness, right here in New Zealand.