Glycerin Hair Nourishing Benefits

If you've ever stood in the shower reading the ingredient list on your shampoo or conditioner, you might have seen "glycerin" and wondered what it is. This super-hydrating ingredient moisturizes hair, but that's not all!

Clinical studies show how glycerin for hair reduces dandruff, soothes itchy and dry scalps, and hydrates the hair shafts to give you glossy, thick hair—regardless of hair type.

At Divi, we formulate our Scalp Serum, Shampoo & Conditioner with glycerin and other proven ingredients to promote hydrated, healthy hair. Let's dive into glycerin for hair and scalp health: What is this ingredient, and what benefits does it offer for your hair and scalp?

What Exactly Is Glycerin?

In its purest form, glycerin, or glycerol, is a clear liquid derived from plants such as soybean or palm. Glycerin can come from animal fat, but Divi's Scalp Serum uses only plant-derived glycerin, making it vegan-friendly.

Glycerin is a humectant which pulls moisture from the air to hydrate whatever you put it on. As an ingredient in Divi's Scalp Serum, glycerin coats each follicle and strand to seal in moisture and rehydrate your hair with water from the air.

Glycerin also has antimicrobial properties to reduce itchiness and keep your scalp clean and healthy. A healthy scalp means healthy hair growth, so you'll see glycerin used in many hair and scalp care products. The hydrating benefits also make glycerin a key ingredient in some skin lotions and moisturizers.

Glycerin has no color or smell and packs a clean moisturizing power without irritating fragrances.

How Does Glycerin Strengthen and Nourish Your Scalp?

Glycerin helps moisturize, strengthen and heal a malnourished scalp and damaged hair. But how?

Reducing Breakage

Dry hair becomes brittle, so it can easily break. Glycerin extends the lifespan of each hair follicle by nourishing hair roots and sealing moisture into the hair cuticle to reduce split ends and breakage.

In other words, your hair strengthens all the way down. Less breakage means longer hair in less time.

Improving Thinning Hair

Glycerin is known to help thicken hair by decreasing breakage and increasing moisture. Less breakage means thicker, fuller hair that grows longer and faster. Glycerin also helps with glossiness and texture, reduces dullness, and increases volume to help the hair you do have look thick and healthy.

Glycerin's antimicrobial properties promote scalp health. While this won't make hair instantly grow or stop thinning, a healthy scalp is key to growing new, healthy hair and nourishing your existing hair.

Reducing Frizz

If you have curly hair, you know the frustration of dealing with frizz and flyaways. Glycerin can reduce frizz, define curls, and tame flyaways thanks to its moisturizing properties. By drawing moisture in from the air, glycerin keeps your hair hydrated and smooth all day long.

Especially if you live in a humid climate, you'll notice your hair is less frizzy, smoother, and softer after using a product with glycerin.

Soothing a Dry, Itchy Scalp

Scalps become dry and itchy when there is too much product buildup or the skin is dehydrated.

According to a National Institutes of Health study, glycerin improves your scalp's skin barrier function. The skin barrier helps regulate moisture and protect the skin. Glycerin improves hair hydration by drawing moisture from the air to moisturize your hair and scalp, which is vital in soothing itchy, dry skin.

A single application of Divi’s Scalp Serum can improve scalp hydration for up to 24 hours, reducing itchiness and hydrating dry skin.

Lessening Dandruff

A 2014 National Institutes of Health study found that regular application of glycerin to the scalp lessens dandruff. In this study, participants applied glycerin to their scalps three times a week for eight weeks. The results were noticeable improvement in dandruff and flaking due to improved scalp skin barrier function to retain moisture.

If you apply glycerin to hair regularly, you will see continued results. Glycerin reduces scalp flakiness by drawing in moisture, which softens and reduces the number of flakes.

Is Glycerin Safe?

Glycerin is very safe. The Environmental Working Group gives glycerin an A rating. After testing glycerin for many effects, research shows this ingredient is:

Safe for people with asthma
Causes no respiratory reactions
Not linked to any reproductive or developmental issues
Not linked to any cancer-causing substances
Biodegradable and safe for the environment

Glycerin does conduct heat well, and some hair styling tools require the use of heat. If you use a curling or flat iron, be aware that your hair may heat up faster after applying glycerin hair serum.

Glycerin for Hair Loss: How Does This Ingredient Help?

Hair damage and hair loss are surprisingly common. Hair loss is prevalent in about 50% of men and 25% of women over 50 years old.

Hair Loss Explained

In men, hair loss can happen due to hormonal changes, genetics or aging. On the other hand, women may experience hair thinning or hair loss after childbirth, during menopause, or due to hormonal changes.

The hair loss hormone is called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of this hormone are linked to thinning hair in men and women, but it affects people differently.

Although you might think of hair loss as hair simply falling out, there are a few things going on:

Hair follicles shrink
Hair stops growing
Hair breaks
Hair falls out

Many doctors prescribe medications that block DHT to treat hair loss, but these come with side effects. Maintaining hair health, strength, and hydration can be vital in reducing the appearance of hair loss and improving hair length and strength.

Using Glycerin to Promote Thicker, Healthier Hair

Divi's Scalp Serum with glycerin won't treat the underlying cause of hair loss, but it can slow hair loss symptoms. By thickening hair, promoting healthy hair growth, and preventing breakage, you can preserve the health of your scalp. Divi's Scalp Serum also contains DHT blockers like tea tree oil, green tea extract, and copper tripeptide-1.

For women experiencing hair loss after childbirth, glycerin's thickening and strengthening properties can help hair regain shine, texture, and volume. It may be necessary to see a medical professional for scalp issues or hair loss. Nonetheless, glycerin can help address some effects of hair loss and promote a healthier scalp and thicker hair.

Glycerin Can Help with Certain Scalp Conditions

Glycerin can even help with various scalp conditions because many scalp issues stem from dry, undernourished skin. Since glycerin has humectant properties, glycerin for hair can treat scalp conditions, including non-bacterial folliculitis, psoriasis and eczema.

Folliculitis (Non-bacterial)

Folliculitis, also known as fungal acne, causes itchy pimples within the skin's hair follicle. These pimples do not respond to traditional acne treatments.

Glycerin is one of the more effective chemicals in skincare products to treat this condition. Research shows it is more effective than hyaluronic acid for hydrating skin to relieve folliculitis symptoms.

A 2018 study found how glycerin effectively treated folliculitis. When applied to the scalp, glycerin did not feed the fungal acne (Malassezia) and reduced symptoms like itching and irritation.

Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis can cause painful flaking of the scalp. The scalp becomes dry and itchy. The hydrating power of glycerin is perfect for nourishing your hair and scalp and treating the symptoms of scalp psoriasis. Although glycerin won't cure the underlying condition, it softens flakes, soothes irritated scalps, nourishes hair strands, and relieves some psoriasis symptoms.

Eczema

Eczema is an immune system disorder causing skin inflammation. It is different from dandruff and dry scalp, though it also causes itchy flaking of the scalp skin. It can be more intense, and other chemicals cause and treat it.

The hydrating properties of glycerin improve eczema symptoms by moisturizing your dry scalp and keeping your skin barrier strong. When your skin stays hydrated and regulates moisture properly, you can protect your skin and reduce the number of flare-ups.

How to Use Divi's Scalp Serum with Glycerin

Here at Divi, we know how powerful glycerin can be for your hair. That's why it's a main ingredient in Divi's Scalp Serum, Shampoo & Conditioner.

So how should you use Divi's products?

Scalp Serum: Shake well before use. Apply ¾ dropper (1ml) of Serum daily directly to dry or towel-dried scalp, focusing on areas where results are desired. A slight tingling sensation may occur—this is just the ingredients working their magic. Good things take time—best results occur after 3 months of continuous use.

Shampoo: Apply product to wet hair. Gently massage into the scalp for a rich lather and cleanse. Rinse and repeat (if desired). Follow with Divi’s Conditioner for best results.

Conditioner: Apply product to wet or damp hair, focusing on the ends. Let sit for at least three minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Side Effects of Glycerin for Hair

Glycerin has few reported side effects, and it is generally very safe to use on your scalp. In a clinical study, 34 participants used Divi's Scalp Serum, and none of the participants reported irritated skin or adverse side effects.

Since this is a plant-derived ingredient, allergic reactions are possible but rare. If you notice a rash on your scalp or an increase in itchiness or redness, stop using glycerin and speak to your doctor.

Glycerin is clinically proven to help manage conditions like scalp eczema, scalp psoriasis, and dandruff, but it cannot cure these underlying issues.

Hair-Nourishing Ingredients in Divi's Scalp Serum

In one clinical study, 93% of people who used Divi's Scalp Serum over an eight-week period reported a moisturized-feeling scalp.

Glycerin's moisturizing properties are extremely beneficial for your hair. That's why we include it as a prime ingredient in our Scalp Serum.

Divi's Scalp Serum is rich in benefits, including:

Increasing the size of each hair follicle
Increasing blood flow to the scalp, like a massage
Enhancing hair texture
Reducing buildup
Increasing the growth cycle of hair to prevent hair loss

We use vegan-friendly ingredients with cruelty-free development. Our Scalp Serum includes caffeine, which stimulates hair growth, and rosemary leaf extract to boost circulation.

The peppermint oil gives a cooling, soothing sensation. Not to mention, it smells terrific!

The Scalo Serum also includes Cocos Nucifera (coconut oil) for extra hydration for your scalp and hair.

Glycerin for Curly Hair vs. Straight Hair

Whether you have super curly or stick-straight hair, the moisturizing effects of glycerin can smooth frizz and flyaways and keep dandruff at bay.

Curly hair tends to have issues with frizz and dryness. Meanwhile, people with straight hair need to focus on dimension and volume. Over-conditioning can lead to dull, limp hair, which is where a super-hydrating hair and scalp serum can help.

Divi's Scalp Serum enhances the silkiness of straight hair, reducing flyaways. Use a small amount, especially if you have fine hair. For curly hair, you can be more generous with your application. The glycerin in our Scalp Serum coats each curl and moisturizes from follicle to tip to improve frizz.

Divi's Scalp Serum with Glycerin for Hair Health

Glycerin is a humectant ingredient found in many hair and skin products. This safe, vegan-friendly ingredient pulls moisture from the surrounding air to hydrate your hair. Glycerin is also clinically proven to help with itchy, dry scalp, dandruff, and conditions like scalp eczema and psoriasis. Although glycerin cannot treat hair loss, it can nourish the hair you have to slow the symptoms and keep hair healthy.

Divi's Scalp Serum combines glycerin for hair with other clean ingredients – including tea tree oil, green tea extract, and peppermint oil – to remove scalp buildup, soothe sensitive or irritated skin, and moisturize your hair. All of our products are dermatologist-tested and contain clean, vegan ingredients.