Glycerin vs. hyaluronic acid: Which ingredient is best for winter?

When it comes to dry skin, hyaluronic acid and glycerin are two ingredients you’ve probably come across in your favorite moisturizers, serums, cleansers and more. But what does each ingredient really do, and more importantly — which is best for dry skin? I spoke to Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City, to find out the differences, along with which of the two you should be reaching for during the winter season.Selected.Our top picksBest moisturizer for dry skinLearn moreWant more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.What is glycerin?Glycerin (also known as glycerol) is a naturally-occuring humectant, meaning it pulls water from the deeper layers of the skin and binds it to the skin’s outer layers, says Green. “It occurs naturally in the skin as part of the moisturizing system that keeps the outer layer, called the stratum corneum, soft and flexible,” she says. It’s a clear, odorless, liquid that supports a healthy skin barrier and improves texture, which is why it’s such a popular skin care ingredient. When used cosmetically, it’s usually derived from plant oils like coconut, soy or palm, and can be found in cleansers, serums, moisturizers and more, says Green.What is hyaluronic acid?Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that the body naturally produces and stores in the skin, eyes, joint and connective tissue, says Green. It’s often listed on labels as sodium hyaluronate, and like glycerin, is a humectant that’s great for helping drier skin stay dewy. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in moisture, and when applied to damp skin, it locks in all that water to keep your skin hydrated. What’s the difference between glycerin and hyaluronic acid?Glycerin and hyaluronic acid differ in their molecular size, texture and cost. Glycerin is a small molecule that penetrates the skin’s layers, whereas hyaluronic acid is usually much larger and sits closer to the skin’s surface, says Green. Despite that, hyaluronic acid still tends to have a more lightweight texture than glycerin, which is usually stickier or heavier (which is part of why hyaluronic acid is used in so many serums, says Green). Glycerin is also usually derived from plant oils or made synthetically, making it more affordable, whereas hyaluronic acid is usually made via bacterial fermentation and is more expensive, says Green. Is glycerin or hyaluronic acid better for dry skin?Glycerin is considered the better choice for dry skin, since it reaches into the deeper layers of the skin, whereas hyaluronic acid mainly hydrates the surface. Dry skin is usually caused by a weaker moisture barrier and lack of natural oils, so it benefits most from an ingredient like glycerin that helps to repair it, says Green. Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, is better for dehydrated skin that lacks water rather than oil, since it helps draw water to the surface, she says.The best hyaluronic acid and glycerin productsThese products have glycerin, hyaluronic acid or both, and come recommended by Green and NBC Selected editors.Best overall Green recommends this moisturizer from Cerave, which made our best 100 moisturizers list, for its hydrating formula that combines hyaluronic acid, glycerin and three essential ceramides for top-tier barrier support. It can be used on the face and body, plus it’s been approved by the National Eczema Association, according to the brand. “It’s an excellent choice for dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin that needs both hydration and barrier repair,” says Green.Best essenceWhen it comes to hydration, this lightweight essence has held me down since college, and if I was limited to using one Cosrx product for the rest of my life, it would be this one. It has a high concentration of hyaluronic acid and sea buckthorn oil to strengthen the skin barrier, and acts as a toner, essence and serum all in one. I also love that it keeps my oily skin hydrated without any extra greasiness — perfect for getting the dewy look without having to worry about oiliness or buildup that may cause acne.Best moisturizer for dry skinNBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin uses this La Roche-Posay moisturizer on her dry, acne-prone skin daily, and loves how well-balanced the formula is. “It has a medium thickness, so it’s moisturizing enough to prevent dry, flaky skin, yet thin enough that it absorbs quickly,” she says. “It never makes me look oily or shiny, and it never exacerbates irritation when I’m experiencing it.” It’s formulated with three ceramides, and includes niacinamide and glycerin for barrier-strength support.BETABest cleanserFarmacy’s cleansing balm is an NBC Selected staff favorite — I love using it to help remove makeup, or for double-cleansing when my skin feels especially congested. Along with compounded glycerin, the formula includes an antioxidant blend and papaya extract to help target bumps and blemishes, along with sunflower oil to help melt down makeup and grease, according to the brand. Plus, this fragrance-free version is great for sensitive skin. Best moisturizer for oily skinThe gel texture of this moisturizer is great for oily skin, since it has a lightweight finish that won’t feel heavy or greasy on the skin. The hyaluronic acid in the formula helps water to bind to your skin’s surface, and it’s noncomedogenic, so it also won’t clog your pores, according to the brand. Although the formula is safe for sensitive skin, it does have added fragrance.Best splurgeThis cream from Tatcha combines antioxidants and hyaluronic acid for deep moisture, along with squalane to keep the hydration sealed in longer, according to the brand. Dr. Annie Chiu, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist whorecommends this moisturizer in our guide to moisturizers for dry skin, and says it has an “elegant, non-greasy formula” that’s also noncomedogenic.Best serumNot only does this concentrated serum include 30% glycerin, it also has polyglutamic acid, which is a powerful humectant for holding water in the skin. It also includes niacinamide to help repair the moisture barrier, and soothing allantoin to calm irritated, sensitive skin, according to the brand. It has a lightweight, slightly sticky texture, and reviewers especially love how quickly it absorbs into the skin and how well it layers with makeup and other skin care products.How to shop for hydrating skin careWho is glycerin best for?Dry skin: Glycerin is great for dry, flaky skin that may have a weaker moisture barrier, since it permeates the skin to repair the barrier, says Green. “It is also an excellent choice for eczema-prone skin and skin irritated by harsh weather, over-cleansing, or active treatments such as retinoids,” she says. She also says it’s great for the wintertime when skin tends to get chronically dry.Sensitive skin: “Glycerin is often the preferred option for sensitive skin,” says Green. “It is one of the most gentle and well-tolerated skin care ingredients,” she says. Its barrier-strengthening properties can also help to reduce irritation and redness that sensitive skin is usually more prone to.Who is hyaluronic acid best for?Dehydrated skin: If your skin is dull, or feeling tight or stiff, hyaluronic acid may be just what you need. Green suggests it for dehydrated skin that needs smoothing and hydrating, since it reduces the look of fine lines and texture caused by a lack of moisture. The thin texture also makes it great for layering underneath makeup in serum or moisturizer form, she says.Oily skin: The lightweight texture of hyaluronic acid makes it ideal for oily skin, which tends to produce more oil to compensate for the lack of hydration, says Green. “Hyaluronic acid provides lightweight, water-based hydration that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy or heavy residue,” she says. It’s also noncomedogenic, so it won’t clog the pores of those with acne-prone skin (glycerin is also noncomedogenic, however it can have a tacky texture that oily skin may not work as well with, says Green).Mature skin: Hyaluronic acid is especially useful for mature skin, since the body naturally produces less of it with age, says Green. This directly affects dryness, loss of firmness, fine lines and more, and hyaluronic acid can act as a solution in helping to topically replace the moisture in your skin. However, for best results Green recommends combining glycerin and hyaluronic acid to get both the surface-level and deeper hydrating effects of each.Meet our dermatology expertAt NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.Why trust NBC Selected?I am an associate SEO reporter for NBC Selected, covering skin care, wellness, home and kitchen and more, including stories on the best hyaluronic acid products and the best night creams for overnight hydration. For this story, I spoke to a board-certified dermatologist about everything you need to know about glycerin and hyaluronic acid, including product recommendations and advice on how to shop for hydrating products of your own.Catch up on NBC Selected’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok to stay up to date.