Glycerin Aids in Skin Maturation

Glycerin Aids in Skin Maturation

AUGUSTA, Ga.--Glycerin, commonly found in skin products because ofits ability to attract water, may have therapeutic value in psoriasis andnon-melanoma skin cancer. According to a study appearing in Decembers TheJournal of Investigative Dermatology (1643, 1-3:25-36, 2003) (www.jidonline.org),glycerin may also help skin cells mature properly. In particular, glycerin helpsdirect skin cells through their four stages of aging. This is a pretty novelhypothesis that is really quite in its infancy, said Wendy Bollag, Ph.D., oneof the studys authors.

In a mouse model, glycerin given orally or topically helped resolve skinissues. While investigating phospholipase D, an enzyme that converts fats in thecell membrane into cell signals, Bollag and colleagues found the enzyme pairedwith glycerin, producing a distinctive signal that directs skin cell maturation.

The studys researchers have submitted a grant application to the NationalInstitutes of Health (NIH) to further study this signaling activation.