Glycerin for Hair

Both men and women are concerned about their looks. One of the most important parts of our body is our hair - it is what adds beauty to our face. If our hair is frizzy, our whole look and personality get changed. Perfectly smooth and shiny hair will boost our self-confidence and make us look more attractive. One of the ingredients that can help your hair achieve a bulky and healthy look is glycerin.

Glycerin is a colourless, sweet-tasting, viscous and hygroscopic liquid. It is odourless or nearly so and is a natural component of the skin. Glycerin is sugar alcohol formed from the hydrolysis of fats and oils when heated. It can also be produced synthetically. Glycerin is used to treat dry hair or chapped skin.

Glycerin is a sugar-derived moisturizing agent. It is used as a thickening agent (it has a creamy consistency that resembles honey) and to treat dry hair and skin. Glycerin is often added to soaps, toothpaste and some personal lubricants and topical medicines. It is found in many hair care products and cosmetics, including lipsticks, foundations, where it serves as a humectant. Glycerin exhibits a hygroscopic nature and has the ability to attract moisture from the surrounding air. This is due to water absorption of the humectant glycerol.

Glycerin uses for Hair

In hair care products, it is used to keep hair soft, smooth and manageable by preventing static electricity buildup on hairs. Also, it acts as an emollient and protective moisturizer for the treatment of dry scalp conditions such as dandruff and eczema.

Glycerin is a natural emollient or moisturizer which makes it very useful for hair care. It is a waxy substance that is naturally made in the body and also in various plants and animals. Glycerin is 99% fat which makes it very useful in the treatment of the skin, hair and lips.

A major benefit of glycerin for hair is that it absorbs into the hair shaft helping to seal in moisture and prevent dryness. This helps in repairing damaged hair and prevents split ends from forming. Hair becomes strong and healthy once again.

Studies show that glycerin can cure certain hair conditions like dandruff. Our hair becomes sensitive to breakage and split ends due to various internal and external factors, glycerin helps to prevent hair damage by strengthening its roots.

How to use Glycerin for Hair?

Glycerin hair spray can be easily made by combining ¼ cup of glycerin with ¼ cup of water and ¼ cup of rosewater. You can also add some essential oils like rosemary oil, lavender oil and peppermint oil.

Spray it on wet or dry hair as needed because there is no hard and fast rule of applying glycerin on hair.

You can also try out some DIY glycerin hair masks:

Glycerin and rosewater hair mask: Mix 2 tablespoons of glycerin with ½ cup of distilled water and ½ a cup of rosewater. Apply the mixture to dry or slightly damp hair and leave it on for 20 -25 minutes. Rinse it off thoroughly using an SLS-free shampoo. You can also put this mixture into a spray bottle for use as and when needed.
Glycerin and aloe vera hair mask: Mix ¼ cup of glycerin with ¼ cup of aloe vera gel and apply it liberally to your dry hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
Glycerin and honey hair mask: Whisk ¼ cup of both honey and glycerin with two tablespoons of coconut oil and apply the mixture to your dry hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Is Glycerin good for Low Porosity Hair?

Low porosity hair tends to absorb less moisture and therefore takes a longer time to dry. It also doesn’t absorb products easily and makes it hard for water to saturate your hair. If you have low porosity hair, glycerin is one of the best ingredients to use on your hair. But if you have a high porosity hair, we recommend avoiding glycerin.

You can check your hair porosity by following these simple and easy steps:

Wash your hair and do not apply conditioner.
Wait for your hair to dry completely.
Take a glass of water and put 2 of your hair strands in it.
Wait for 15-20 minutes.

If your hair strands float in the water, you probably have low porosity hair. If it sinks to the bottom, you have high porosity hair and if it stays in the middle, you have medium porosity hair.

Is Glycerin safe to use on Hair?

Glycerin is usually safe to use on the hair and it is not an ingredient of concern to human health or the environment. That being said, one should keep in mind that glycerin should not be used on cracked or broken skin. It should always be diluted by mixing with water or other oils to prevent stickiness.

Take Away

Glycerin might also be beneficial for improving hair growth as it prevents hair breakage and damage. Glycerin helps in improving the functioning of the protective barrier of the hair and scalp, which in turn helps in keeping the hair hydrated for a long time. Glycerin can also be used to condition a dry scalp.