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Beauty USP Pure Glycerin

Beauty USP Pure Glycerin

Product Description

CVS Health USP Pure Glycerin is a single-ingredient, 99.5% pharmaceutical-grade (USP) glycerin that works as a versatile humectant moisturizer and skin protectant. Dilute it with water to soften dry, chapped, or windburned skin, lock in hydration head to toe, or blend it into your own DIY toners, serums, and masks. By CVS Health.

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ American Drugstore Staple Β· By CVS Health Β· Made in USA
βœ” 99.5% Pure Glycerin βœ” Single Ingredient βœ” Fragrance-Free βœ” Vegan-Friendly βœ” USP Pharmaceutical Grade βœ” Multi-Use βœ” Made in USA
Pregnancy Safe
Yes βœ”
Fungal Acne Safe
Yes βœ”
Comedogenic Rating
0/5
πŸ“¦
Size
6 fl oz (177 mL)
πŸ’§
Type
Humectant
πŸ§ͺ
Purity
99.5% USP
🌱
Vegan
Yes
πŸ’΅
Price
~$9.29

✨ Texture & Feel

πŸ’§
Consistency
Thick, syrupy liquid
πŸ‘ƒ
Scent
Fragrance-free / odorless
⏱️
Absorption
Slow (dilute first)
🎯
Finish
Dewy, slightly tacky
πŸ’§

Deep Humectant Hydration

Glycerin pulls water into the outer layers of skin from the air and deeper tissue, relieving dry, tight, flaky skin.

πŸ›‘οΈ

Skin Protectant

Helps prevent and temporarily protect chafed, chapped, cracked, or windburned skin and lips.

🧴

One Bottle, Many Uses

Face, body, hands, lips, and hair, plus DIY toners, mists, masks, and bath soaks. Soluble in water.

🌿

Minimalist Formula

Just one ingredient. No fragrance, dyes, oils, parabens, silicones, or sulfates to irritate reactive skin.

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety & Compatibility

βœ…
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Glycerin is a topical humectant with no actives of concern (no retinoids, salicylic acid, or hydroquinone). Widely considered safe during pregnancy and nursing.

βœ…
Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Contains no fatty acids, esters, oils, ferments, or polysorbates that feed malassezia yeast. Safe for fungal-acne-prone skin.

βœ…
Non-Comedogenic (0/5)

Glycerin does not clog pores and is suitable for acne-prone and oily skin types.

βœ…
Layers With Most Actives

Plays well with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol, and AHA/BHA. Can buffer harsh actives and reduce irritation.

⚠️
Dilute Before Use

Undiluted glycerin is thick and tacky. In very dry, low-humidity air it can pull moisture out of skin, so dilute with water and seal with a moisturizer.

πŸ§ͺ
Patch Test Recommended

Although glycerin is one of the gentlest humectants, a patch test is wise for very reactive or compromised skin.

πŸ”¬ Ingredient Breakdown

πŸ’§ Glycerin 99.5% Proven

The hero and only ingredient. Glycerin (glycerol) is a humectant naturally present in skin. It draws and binds water into the stratum corneum, softening rough texture, easing tightness, and supporting a healthier moisture barrier. This product uses USP pharmaceutical-grade, 99.5% anhydrous glycerin.

  • Humectant power: A 2016 study found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
  • Barrier support: Better-hydrated skin shows improved barrier function, helping defend against irritants and bacteria.
  • Deep delivery: Its low molecular weight lets glycerin draw moisture into the deeper layers of skin, not just the surface.
  • Wound care use: Glycerin has documented antimicrobial and antiviral properties and is used in wound and burn treatments.
βœ…
Because the formula is a single, well-studied ingredient with no fragrance or preservatives, the risk of irritation or allergy is very low.

1 ingredient

Glycerin (99.5% Anhydrous, USP Grade).

FREE FROM: Fragrance, parabens, sulfates, silicones, oils, dyes, alcohol, propylene glycol, lanolin, gluten, soy, coconut, nickel, and common allergens.

πŸ”„ Where It Fits in Your Routine

1
Cleanser
2
Toner
3
Serum
4
Glycerin
5
Moisturizer
6
Sunscreen

Most commonly used as step 4, after your serum and before your moisturizer. Apply diluted glycerin to damp skin, then always seal with a moisturizer, especially in dry climates. Suitable for both AM and PM.

πŸ“ How to Use

1

Dilute First

Mix glycerin with about two to three times its volume of water (or your toner). Pure glycerin is too thick and tacky to apply straight.

2

Apply to Damp Skin

Pat the diluted mix onto clean, slightly damp skin so it has water to bind onto. A few drops go a long way.

3

Seal It In

Follow with a moisturizer or light occlusive to lock in the hydration and prevent moisture loss.

4

Use as Needed

Apply morning and/or night, or spot-treat dry areas like elbows, knees, lips, and cuticles. Also great as a DIY base for toners and masks.

πŸ‘€ Who Is It For?

βœ… Perfect for you if:

  • You have dry, dehydrated, or tight skin
  • You want a minimalist, single-ingredient product
  • You have sensitive or fragrance-intolerant skin
  • You like to make DIY toners, mists, and masks
  • You want maximum value per ounce
  • You have acne-prone or fungal-acne-prone skin

❌ Consider alternatives if:

  • You want a ready-to-use, grab-and-go cream
  • You dislike sticky or tacky textures
  • You live in a very dry climate and won't seal it with a moisturizer
  • You want a treatment serum packed with active ingredients
  • You prefer pump or airless packaging

🎯 Skin Type Compatibility

Oily Skin β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… Excellent

Oil-free, weightless hydration that won't add grease or shine when diluted.

Dry Skin β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜† Good

Excellent at attracting moisture, but needs a richer moisturizer layered on top to truly seal it in.

Combination β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… Excellent

Balances hydration across oily and dry zones without overloading either.

Sensitive β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… Excellent

Single ingredient, fragrance-free, and free of common allergens. One of the gentlest humectants available.

Acne-Prone β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… Excellent

Non-comedogenic (0/5) and fungal-acne safe, so it hydrates without clogging pores or feeding yeast.

πŸ“ˆ Results Timeline

Immediately

Instant Softness

Skin feels softer, smoother, and more comfortable as glycerin binds water to the surface.

90% noticed
1 Week

Less Tightness & Flaking

Dry, tight patches feel relieved and look less flaky with consistent daily use.

75% noticed
4 Weeks

Smoother, Calmer Skin

Better-hydrated skin shows a more even texture and improved comfort throughout the day.

65% noticed
8+ Weeks

Stronger Barrier & Glow

Ongoing hydration supports a healthier moisture barrier and a fresher, more radiant look.

55% noticed

⭐ Ratings by Platform

πŸ›’ Amazon
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 4.6
Rating
8,000+
Reviews
⚠️ Main complaint: Bottle caps can leak during shipping
🌿 iHerb
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 4.7
Rating
1,200+
Reviews
⚠️ Main complaint: Too thick and sticky if not diluted
🏠 CVS Pharmacy
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜† 4.4
Rating
150+
Reviews
⚠️ Main complaint: Basic bottle, no pump or dropper
πŸ›’ Walmart
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 4.6
Rating
80+
Reviews
⚠️ Main complaint: Runny formula spills easily when poured

βš–οΈ Pros & Cons

βœ… Praised

  • Very affordable, big value per ounce
  • Multi-purpose for face, body, hair, and DIY
  • Fragrance-free and gentle on sensitive skin
  • Effective, well-studied humectant
  • USP pharmaceutical-grade purity
  • Very long shelf life, resists oxidation
  • Vegan-friendly and free of common allergens

❌ Criticized

  • Sticky and tacky if used undiluted
  • Must be diluted with water before use
  • Needs a moisturizer on top to seal hydration
  • Bottle can leak in transit
  • Basic packaging, no pump or dropper
  • Can feel drying in very low humidity if not sealed

πŸ’° Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)

95% Match
A+Health Pure Glycerin, 16 fl oz
$10.99 Budget Pick

Also 99.5% anhydrous, vegetable-based, and Made in USA, but in a far larger 16 oz bottle, making it the cheapest per ounce. Functionally near-identical.

93% Match
NOW Solutions Vegetable Glycerin, 4 oz
$7.47 Budget Pick

100% pure, non-GMO, food and USP grade vegetable glycerin. Smaller bottle but trusted brand and very low entry price. Same humectant benefits.

88% Match
Heritage Store Vegetable Glycerin, 8 oz
$11.99 Similar

Organic, palm-derived vegetable glycerin marketed for skin and hair plus DIY. Slightly pricier but organic-certified and a popular clean-beauty pick.

πŸ”„ Comparison with Competitors

NOW Solutions Vegetable Glycerin

$7.47
Key Ingredient Glycerin 100%
Size 4 fl oz (118 mL)
Grade Food + USP
Origin Made in USA, non-GMO
Price per oz ~$1.87

A+Health Pure Glycerin

$10.99
Key Ingredient Glycerin 99.5%
Size 16 fl oz (473 mL)
Grade Vegetable-based
Origin Made in USA
Price per oz ~$0.69

Heritage Store Vegetable Glycerin

$11.99
Key Ingredient Glycerin 100%
Size 8 fl oz (236 mL)
Grade Organic
Origin Palm-derived
Price per oz ~$1.50

πŸ“¦ Storage & Shelf Life

πŸ“…
Period After Opening (PAO)

24 months after opening. Pure glycerin has a very long shelf life and resists oxidation.

🏠
Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep the cap tightly closed.

πŸ“¦
Packaging

Plastic bottle with a screw cap. No pump or dropper included.

✈️
Travel Friendly

No, the 6 fl oz (177 mL) bottle exceeds the 100 mL carry-on limit. Decant into a smaller bottle for flights.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Glycerin is a simple topical humectant with no actives flagged for pregnancy, such as retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, or chemical sunscreens. It is widely considered safe to use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. As always, check with your doctor if you have specific concerns.

Yes. The formula is a single ingredient with no fatty acids, esters, oils, ferments, or polysorbates that feed malassezia yeast. That makes it a safe choice for people managing fungal acne.

Yes. Glycerin layers well with virtually all actives, including retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, and AHA/BHA exfoliants. It can actually help buffer harsher actives and reduce dryness or irritation by adding hydration.

It works for all skin types and is especially helpful for dry, dehydrated, sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin. Dry skin types should layer a moisturizer on top to seal in the hydration.

Hydration is immediate, with softer, more comfortable skin from the first use. Reduced tightness and flaking typically appear within about a week, and barrier and texture improvements build over four to eight weeks of consistent use.

Use it after cleansing and serums and before your moisturizer, usually around step 4. Always dilute it with water and apply to damp skin, then seal with a moisturizer. It can be used both morning and night.

No. Glycerin has a comedogenic rating of 0 out of 5, meaning it does not clog pores. It is oil-free and well suited to acne-prone and breakout-prone skin.

Around 24 months after opening. Pure glycerin is very stable, resists oxidation, and has a long shelf life. Store it sealed in a cool, dry place to keep it at its best.

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†
4.3 out of 5

Verdict: CVS Health USP Pure Glycerin is a no-frills, do-it-all hydration staple. As a single-ingredient, 99.5% USP-grade glycerin, it delivers proven humectant benefits at an unbeatable price and doubles as a DIY base for toners, mists, and masks. It is pregnancy-safe, fungal-acne-safe, non-comedogenic, and gentle enough for sensitive skin. The trade-offs are practical rather than performance-related: it must be diluted, feels tacky when neat, and needs a moisturizer layered on top to seal in moisture. For minimalists, sensitive-skin types, and anyone who wants maximum value, it is an easy recommendation.

Product Overview

question
lightbulb What are Quick Product Notes?

Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.

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Quick Product Notes

Click on icons for more information
question
lightbulb What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?

Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging Β«promisesΒ» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.

We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.

Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you

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Notable Effects & Ingredients

brightening Brightening from 1 ingredient(s):
Glycerin
wound Promotes Wound Healing from 1 ingredient(s):
Glycerin
question
lightbulb What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?

Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.

We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.

One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!

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Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Click on icons for more information
dry-skin Dry Skin
1
oily-skin Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
sensitive-skin Sensitive Skin
question
lightbulb What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?

Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.

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Ingredient Safety Breakdown

EWG Health Ratings
Low risk
Medium risk
High risk
Unknown risk
100%

Product ingredient list

Showing first 5 of 1 ingredients
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
2 A
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
brightening Brightening
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating