Why Vegetable Glycerin Outshines Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare

When you think of deep hydration in skincare, the first ingredient that likely comes to mind is hyaluronic acid. But there’s a quiet, plant-powered hero working just as hard, if not harder and it’s been around far longer. Meet vegetable glycerin: a natural, soothing humectant derived from coconuts, sugar cane, or soy. At Oahu Organics, we call it “Nature’s Hydrator,” and for good reason.

What Is Vegetable Glycerin?

Vegetable glycerin (VG) is a clear, syrupy liquid that comes from the fats in plant oils. It’s odorless, non-toxic, and loved in natural skincare for its exceptional ability to draw moisture into the skin and lock it in. It’s one of the stars in our Essential Foaming Cleanser, bringing hydration and softness with every wash.

The Science of Skin Hydration

Glycerin is a humectant, which means it attracts water to itself, like a magnet for moisture. In fact, vegetable glycerin can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, pulling hydration from the air and drawing it deep into your skin’s outer layers. This makes it an ideal ingredient for cleansing without stripping, and for prepping the skin for serums or moisturizers.

Nature’s Answer to Synthetic Hyaluronic Acid

Here’s the fun part: hyaluronic acid (HA), often promoted as the gold standard for hydration, is actually a molecule that naturally occurs in the body, especially in connective tissue and joints. The “HA” you see in skincare products, however, isn’t derived from your body; it’s lab-created, either synthetically or through bacterial fermentation.

Vegetable glycerin offers a natural, biodegradable, and more sustainable alternative, with no synthetic replication involved. Glycerin works immediately upon contact, absorbing quickly into the skin and continuing to draw moisture throughout the day. It plays well with others, enhances barrier repair, and doesn’t require complex stabilization like synthetic HA often does.

Why We Use Glycerin in Our Cleanser

Vegetable Glycerin keeps your skin feeling soft, bouncy, and refreshed, never tight or dehydrated. It also supports your skin’s natural microbiome, helping maintain a healthy barrier after every wash.

More Than Just Moisture

Vegetable glycerin also has soothing, healing properties. It’s known to calm redness, accelerate wound healing, and improve conditions like eczema or dry patches. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, yet effective enough to become a mainstay in your daily routine.

Want to try it for yourself? Our Essential Foaming Cleanser—starring vegetable glycerin—is this week’s Product of the Week. Receive 20% off and get ready to experience one of nature’s best-kept skincare secrets. No code needed offer ends Sunday August 10th midnight HST.