Parched, dry skin is basically a given during the colder months, but this concern can pop up at any time of the year. So when your face, hands, and other spots feel a bit tight or chapped, it's time to break out the hydrating big guns: the best glycerin skin-care products. Wait…not hyaluronic acid? Though that skin-care heavyweight is often touted as the skin-care equivalent of a glass of water for your pores, glycerin is another highly effective hydrator that's not one to miss. Like its trendy counterpart, glycerin is also a humectant that hydrates skin by attracting water to itself like a skin-care magnet. Glycerin is especially effective on rough spots and calluses. "Glycerin can actually signal your superficial skin cells to mature more rapidly," Dr Gilbert says. This speeds up cellular turnover, allowing your skin to shed dead and damaged surface cells at a faster rate. Translation: It's a fast track to soft skin.

Below are a few of the many skin-care products that feature this hydrating hero – check them out, and be prepared for your dewiest, smoothest skin yet.

CALIRAY SURFPROOF SETTING SPRAY

What's so wonderful about Caliray's new Surfproof Setting Spray is that it locks in makeup for a full day while treating your skin with some of the best additives around. As it sets its glycerin-infused formula boosts skin hydration while moisturising ingredients like prickly pear and agave extracts leave skin feeling plumper than ever.

PAULA'S CHOICE WATER-INFUSING ELECTROLYTE MOISTURISER

Once you're ready to finish off your daily skin-care routine, slather on Paula's Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturiser. This lightweight cream bathes your skin in glycerin and moisture-sealing ceramides while a blend of antioxidant-rich botanicals – like kiwi, coffee, apple, and wild cherry extracts – brighten dullness and target hyperpigmentation.

CETAPHIL MOISTURISING CREAM

Rather stick to a tried-and-true moisturiser? Dr Gilbert suggests using her favourite, the Cetaphil Moisturising Cream. This rich cocktail of humectants, emollients, and occlusives features hydrating glycerin and panthenol, plus anti-inflammatory niacinamide.

EXUVIANCE TARGETED LIP FILLER

If your lips are dry, chapped, and in need of some TLC, reach for Exuviance's Targeted Lip Filler. This glycerin-infused treatment delivers a dose of hydration for a softer, smoother look and feel. It also contains peptides, which are known for supporting collagen production and firming skin.

 

AVEENO CALM + RESTORE TRIPLE OAT SERUM

Sensitive skin types, beeline to the Aveeno Calm + Restore Triple Oat Serum to soothe any irritation and redness flare-ups, stat. The under-$20 price tag is already exciting enough, but it's what's on the inside that counts – namely, glycerin and calming colloidal oatmeal.

FENTY SKIN HYDRA'RESET INTENSIVE RECOVERY HAND MASK

Need another reason to hop on the glycerin bandwagon? Here's one: It's officially Rihanna-approved. The main ingredient of Fenty Skin's Hydra’Reset Intensive Recovery Hand Mask is (you guessed it) glycerin. This overnight hand mask also calls in help from panthenol for its conditioning and soothing properties, plus sorrel and Kalahari melon oils for added moisture.

Hanni Shave Pillow

If it's a shave day, don't forget to grab Hanni's Shave Pillow shaving cream to keep nicks, cuts, and skin dryness at bay. This glycerin-rich shave cream creates a plush, foamy barrier to protect your delicate skin, while creating a smooth, effortless glide for your razor. Its formula also contains anti-inflammatory adaptogenic mushrooms and moisturising cactus water for smooth, razor burn-free skin.

La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Eye Cream

Of course, let's not forget about the delicate skin under your eyes. Your under eye area needs extra care to prevent concerns like dark circles and sagging, so treat it with this intensive drugstore eye cream. The La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Eye Cream is laced with an especially powerful cocktail of retinol, a fine line-reducing superhero ingredient, along with brightening caffeine to reduce the look of dark circles. This gentle moisturiser soothes and hydrates your skin with glycerin.