Is glycerine good for curls? It’s in a huge amount of curly hair products, but what is it and what does it actually do?
Table of Contents
What is glycerine?
Glycerine is a fragrance-free, clear thick liquid.
It can be derived from plants, animal products, or it can be synthetic.
The most important feature of glycerine is that it acts as a humectant.
In short, this means that it draws moisture towards it. In terms of haircare, this means that glycerine can draw water from the surrounding air toward your hair.
Let’s move on and ask ‘is glycerine good for curls?’
Why is glycerine in so many hair products? Is glycerine good for curls?
You’ve probably noticed that glycerine is a key ingredient in many shampoos, conditioners, and styling products aimed at curls. Here’s why:
- Curly hair craves moisture. Unlike straight hair, curls tend to dry out faster because their coiled shape prevents the scalp’s natural oils from easily travelling down the hair shaft. Glycerine helps infuse much-needed hydration into those thirsty tresses.
- It’s lightweight. Despite its hydrating properties, glycerine doesn’t weigh your curls down. Perfect for those who want soft, bouncy definition without the greasy feel!
- It enhances definition. When curls are hydrated, they stay defined and frizz-free for longer periods of time. Glycerine essentially helps make your curl-enhancing products more effective.
Brands often choose glycerine because of its ability to help create that supple, soft curl look we all adore. It is also cheap and its colourless, odorless nature means it can be added as an ingredient without having too much of an effect on the product.
Benefits
Now that we know why it’s popular, let’s go a little deeper into the specific benefits of incorporating glycerine into your curl care routine.
1. Boosts Hydration
The biggest benefit of glycerine is hydration. It ensures your curls stay moisturised for longer, especially when paired with water or other hydrating ingredients in your products. Hydrated curls are happy curls—bouncy, shiny, and full of life.
2. Reduces Frizz
Frizz often stems from a lack of moisture. By keeping water locked in your hair shaft, glycerine works to minimise frizz and keep your curls looking smooth and polished.
3. Enhances Curl Formation
Well-moisturised hair tends to form tighter, more defined curl patterns. Glycerine can help coax those curls into position, reducing unruly strands and letting your natural pattern shine.
4. Repairs Dry or Damaged Hair
If your curls are feeling straw-like or brittle, glycerine can help restore softness. Its ability to draw moisture makes it a great ally in combatting damage caused by heat styling, colouring, or long-term dryness.
Should glycerine ever be avoided?
While glycerine can come across as a curly-haired miracle worker, there are instances where you might want to use it with caution.
1. High Humidity
If you live in a particularly humid climate (think summer in the tropics), glycerine can be a bit of a troublemaker. Remember, it pulls moisture from the air into your hair. When the air is overloaded with moisture, glycerine can cause your curls to swell too much, leading to frizz and a puffy appearance.
2. Low Humidity or Dry Conditions
Conversely, if you’re in a desert-like or cold winter climate where there’s very little moisture in the air, glycerine may start pulling hydration from within your hair instead—leaving you with dry, brittle curls.
3. Protein Sensitivity
While glycerine isn’t a protein itself, it’s often found in products that combine moisture and protein-building formulations. If your hair struggles with protein overload or is low-porosity (and easily prone to build-up), you might occasionally want to experiment with glycerine-free options.
Which hair types can benefit?
When asking ‘is glycerine good for curls’ we need to bear in mind that curl patterns can vary hugely! Having said that, in a moderately humid climate, all hair types can benefit from glycerine.
1. Loose Waves (Type 2)
Wavy-haired folks generally benefit from glycerine. It adds hydration and definition without weighing waves down. Just be mindful of using it sparingly in high humidity.
2. Defined Curls (Type 3)
Glycerine works wonderfully on curly hair, especially when regular hydration is a must. You’ll likely notice smoother, shinier curls with fewer flyaways when using glycerine-rich products.
3. Coily & Afro Hair (Type 4)
Coily hair often thrives with glycerine-based products. Pair your glycerine products with heavier creams or oils to really lock in that moisture.
4. Low-Porosity Hair
If you have low-porosity curls, your cuticles are already tightly sealed, making it harder for moisture to penetrate. While glycerine can help, focus on water-based products to unlock better absorption.
5. High-Porosity Hair
Curly hair that is high-porosity—often from bleaching or heat damage—benefits the most from glycerine because it drinks up the extra hydration and holds onto it for longer.
Tips
Don’t use neat glycerine. If you are making a DIY product, make up a solution of glycerine with water or oils as it is too heavy on its own.
Be wary if you are also using heated tools because glycerine conducts heat well. This can increase heat damage to your hair.
Alternative names for glycerine
Alternative names that you might see include:
glycerin
glycerol
Any ingredient containing the above words.
Best products containing glycerine
Glycerin can be found in a number of curly hair products, but here are a few of my favourites and their levels of glycerine:
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Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly (High)
Imbue Curl Energising Hydration Serum (High)
Color Wow Dream Coat for Curly Hair (Moderate)
Aveda Nutri-Plenish Leave-in Conditioner (Moderate)
Curlsmith Feather-light Protein Cream (Low)
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