What Is Glycerin?

Glycerin is a humectant, which means that it attracts water. It’s a colorless, odorless animal- or plant-based substance that pulls water from the environment, whether that means from the deeper layers in your skin or from humidity in the air. That makes it an extremely effective moisturizer.

Glycerin is a product of soap-making, but the substance is often removed to make other moisturizers. Glycerin soap is simply soap that retains its glycerin, making it more moisturizing to the skin.

Glycerin soap is hypoallergenic, which means that people with contact allergies are less likely to suffer reactions from using glycerin soap.