It is common to deal with dry, flaky, and cracked skin. This can be due to environmental damage, aging, or just lifestyle. When choosing which skincare and makeup products to use, it is essential to ensure use of products with ingredients that are beneficial to your skin.
GLYCERIN
Glycerin is a humectant commonly found in moisturizing skincare products, meaning it pulls water from the air to minimize water loss in skin cells, and increase water volume in the cells leaving the skin plump and less wrinkly. Glycerin molecules are very small, so they have the ability to penetrate the skin and remain within the layers of skin for many days to continue to hydrate. This emollient promotes hydrated and softened skin as well as the effect of other topical products used. Meaning if used with other products, it will enhance their effect on the skin. For instance, collagen. Glycerin will bind and stabilize collagen to increase the bounce in the skin.
A few well known products that contain high amounts of glycerin:
HYALURONIC ACID
Hyaluronic acid helps the skin retain water. It does not pull water from the air like glycerin does, but if it is applied to damp skin, it’s effects are best shown. It reduces wrinkles and makes the skin more flexible due to increased water volume in the skin. It is also used to help aid wounds by sending signals to the body to produce blood vessels, as well as suppress inflammation. This leaves skin less irritated and red.
A few well known products that contain high amounts of hyaluronic acid:
Chemistry and Cosmetics 