What is the difference between glycerin and vaseline? Is it better to use glycerin or vaseline in winter?

Glycerin and Vaseline are two very common skin care products. Both glycerin and vaseline have good moisturizing effects. Many people use glycerin and vaseline when their skin is dry. So, what is the difference between glycerin and petroleum jelly?

What is the difference between glycerin and vaseline?

Glycerin and petrolatum are different in nature, water solubility, and usage. Glycerin is not oil, but water-soluble. It is a water-based moisturizer and absorbs water. Glycerin absorbs water from humid air to maintain the water content of the skin's stratum corneum, but it also absorbs water from the skin. Vaseline is a mineral wax that is fat-soluble and an oily moisturizer. It locks in moisture and can form a protective film on the skin surface. Its moisturizing function is to prevent the evaporation of skin moisture.

What is the difference between glycerin and vaseline?

1. Essence

(1) Glycerin: A water-based humectant that absorbs water. Glycerin is not oil. Its chemical name is propylene glycol. It is a very good moisturizer. Its moisturizing effect is that it can absorb water from humid air to maintain the water content of the skin's stratum corneum. This is the mechanism of action of water-based moisturizers. Glycerin absorbs moisture from the humid air to maintain the moisture content of the skin's stratum corneum, but it also absorbs moisture from the skin.

(2) Vaseline: Oily moisturizer that locks in moisture. Vaseline is a mineral wax, an extract from petroleum, with the scientific name: petroleum grease. It can form a protective film on the skin surface. Its moisturizing function is to prevent the evaporation of skin moisture, which is also the mechanism of action of oily moisturizers. Compared with other more expensive skin care products on the market, Vaseline's chemical inertness makes it non-irritating to any type of skin, so Vaseline is a broad-spectrum skin care product that can be used by anyone. Because of this, cheap Vaseline is still the most widely used and most cost-effective skin care product in the world.

2. Water solubility

Glycerin is water-soluble, extracted from animal fat, is relatively sticky, and can absorb moisture from the air. Vaseline is fat-soluble and is a natural chemical product, similar to oil. It is insoluble in water and has no breathability, so it can isolate moisture.

3. Usage

Glycerin is breathable, so there are also food-grade glycerin and cosmetic glycerin carriers, while vaseline is mostly used as a carrier for high-quality medicines or oily cosmetics and is not breathable. However, the safety of pure glycerin to the skin is relatively poor. Pure glycerin can damage the skin, but Vaseline does not have this problem.

Is it better to use glycerin or vaseline in winter?

When the weather is particularly dry in winter, it is recommended to use Vaseline. Vaseline is a mineral wax that forms a protective film on the surface of the skin. In essence, it is a layer of oil that prevents the skin from losing moisture. Glycerin, on the other hand, absorbs moisture from the air to retain moisture. When the climate is particularly dry, such as in the north, it is not very suitable to use glycerin. Glycerin absorbs moisture from the humid air to maintain the moisture content of the skin's stratum corneum, but it also absorbs moisture from the skin. The air is dry and there is little moisture, so glycerin may actually absorb the moisture from your face. Vaseline is the most effective in trapping moisture. If the dryness is only mild in the south, you can use skin care glycerin.