Glycerin is an ingredient found in many skin care products — including lotion, moisturizers, and soap. You might also see it called glycerol or glycerine in an ingredients list. Whether glycerin can soothe psoriasis skin symptoms is a common topic of conversation on MyPsoriasisTeam.

“I manage my psoriasis on a day-to-day basis with a lotion glycerin mix,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member shared. Another member described the positive effects of glycerin soap on their skin: “I have been treating the psoriasis on my hands with dollar-store hydrocortisone cream and washing them with glycerin soap to keep them moisturized. It has faded over time and is working better than most of the expensive prescription topicals I have been prescribed in the past.”

Read on to learn what glycerin is made of and how it could help your psoriasis skin symptoms.

What Is Glycerin?

Glycerin is a natural substance found in the body and an essential part of the skin’s hydration system. It can also be derived from plants. It’s colorless and odorless, and it has a slight sweet taste. Most importantly for people with psoriasis, it’s a natural moisturizer, so many products include it to help relieve dry, itchy skin or scales.

How Is Glycerin Used?

Glycerin is found in many skin care products, specifically lotions, moisturizing creams, ointments, and soaps. You can find it in brands you’re probably familiar with, including CeraVe and Cetaphil. It’s also in some foods and medicines.

Glycerin is typically applied topically, meaning you put it directly onto the skin — usually through lotions or soaps containing glycerin. Many of these products are available over the counter.

Can Glycerin Help With Psoriasis Symptoms?

Glycerin is known to have skin-soothing properties, and it can draw more moisture into the skin. Researchers have studied glycerin to treat a variety of skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis and eczema. There is limited evidence at this point that glycerin can treat psoriasis plaques, but the existing research is promising.

People living with psoriasis have reported anecdotal improvements in their skin lesions by using glycerol, which led scientists to begin investigating its true effects. In 2021, research studies conducted on mice found that glycerol taken orally or applied topically helped reduce both the amount and severity of psoriasis skin plaques. This research indicates glycerin may be helpful for mild cases of psoriasis, but researchers will need to conduct similar studies on humans.

There is no current scientific data on whether glycerin can help other forms of psoriasis beyond skin plaques, such as nail psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis symptoms.

How To Use Glycerin Safely

Products containing glycerin are overall quite safe for most people to use, and it’s a nontoxic substance. If you do plan to try a glycerin product to help with your psoriasis plaques, use it along with your dedicated psoriasis treatment plan and not instead of it. Before starting any new medication or treatment, you should always speak to your dermatologist to make sure it won’t interfere with any other psoriasis treatments you may be taking.

Tips for Using Glycerin

Some dermatologists recommend using a complete moisturizer that contains glycerin as one of its main ingredients. There are certain things you can do to enhance glycerin’s effectiveness. After washing your hands, don’t rub them on a towel, but instead pat them dry. Then apply the glycerin-containing lotion to damp skin. This technique helps the skin retain water, which is important for dry and itchy psoriasis plaques.

Another tip is to apply your moisturizer at least 30 minutes before going to sleep. If you apply a cream right before hitting your pillow, most of it will come off on the pillowcase instead of staying on your skin and soothing dryness.

Importantly, avoid any products that contain fragrances or dyes. They can cause irritation, especially if you already have sensitive skin. Talk to your dermatologist for more advice about which product may be best for you.

Side Effects of Glycerin

Fortunately, glycerin has very few side effects. It’s possible to have an allergic reaction to any new product that comes in contact with your skin. An allergic reaction can produce any of the following symptoms:

• Redness or discoloration
• Skin irritation
• Rash
• Swelling
• Itching

If you notice any of these symptoms, stop using the product right away. If they don't go away, speak to your dermatology provider. Be sure to avoid eye contact with glycerin-containing products, as they can cause eye irritation.

To soothe irritating psoriasis plaques located in the genital area, it’s safe to use a fragrance-free moisturizer containing glycerin on dry skin after bathing or as needed.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyPsoriasisTeam is the social network for people with psoriasis and their loved ones. On MyPsoriasisTeam, more than 116,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with psoriasis.

Are you living with psoriasis and curious about glycerin? Do you already use a glycerin product you find helpful? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.