The Heart of Our Formulations
At Riman, Incellderm and ICD Skincare is built around the principle that every ingredient should serve a clear purpose. When people look at our formulas, they often notice ingredients ending in “-glycol.” These are not fillers or chemicals to fear—they are quiet, hard-working components that help make our products effective, elegant, and safe for all skin types.
In the world of K-beauty, performance meets pleasure. We design our skincare to feel luxurious while delivering results that last. Glycols are one of the reasons this balance works so beautifully.
1. Glycols: Our Moisture Magnets
The primary reason we use glycols is their exceptional ability to attract and retain water. In skincare science, this property is called being a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the environment or deeper skin layers, keeping your skin hydrated and soft.
In our ICD Skincare moisturizers, ampoules, and gels, glycols like butylene glycol and propanediol ensure long-lasting hydration. They keep your skin supple throughout the day without heaviness or stickiness. This makes them ideal for layering—a hallmark of Korean skincare routines.
When combined with other humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, glycols help create that hydrated, “glass-skin” glow that K-beauty is known for. They leave skin refreshed, plump, and balanced.
2. Better Absorption for Active Ingredients
One of the secrets to Incellderm’s performance is our ability to deliver beneficial ingredients where they’re needed most. Glycols help us achieve that.
They act as absorption enhancers, creating pathways that allow vitamins, peptides, and plant extracts to penetrate effectively. This means when you apply our products, your skin can actually use the active ingredients instead of leaving them on the surface.
That smooth, weightless finish you feel when using our creams or serums is a result of this technology in action. Glycols help each layer absorb efficiently so your skincare routine works synergistically from the first step to the last.
3. Stability, Freshness, and Formula Integrity
Beyond hydration and absorption, glycols help keep our skincare stable and effective over time. Some glycols, such as 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol, have mild antimicrobial properties that naturally support preservation.
Rather than relying solely on synthetic preservatives, we use glycols to reinforce freshness. This keeps our formulas safe and consistent from the day you open them until the very last use—without compromising texture or purity.
It’s another example of how we design our products for both efficacy and skin health.
4. Cosmetic vs. Industrial Glycols: Why Purity Matters
There’s often confusion about glycols because they exist in both industrial and cosmetic settings. At Incellderm (ICD Skincare), we use only cosmetic-grade glycols, which are purified and tested specifically for use on skin.
These cosmetic-grade glycols are non-toxic, non-sensitizing, and chemically stable. They’ve been thoroughly reviewed for safety by global cosmetic regulatory boards and are approved for use in skincare formulations up to high concentrations (typically up to 73%, though our formulas use far less).
Industrial glycols, by contrast, are not refined for topical application and are never used in our products. We partner only with trusted suppliers who meet our purity and sustainability standards. Every batch undergoes quality checks to ensure consistency and safety before it ever reaches your skin.
5. Where Glycols Show Up in Our Products
You’ll find glycols throughout our line, because their functions extend across multiple product types. Here’s how they appear in some of our signature formulations:
Incellderm / ICD Skincare Creams and Gels
In products like our Calming Balance Gel and Dermatology Cream, glycols such as butylene glycol, propanediol, and 1,2-hexanediol work together to attract hydration, smooth texture, and support ingredient delivery.
They ensure our lightweight gel formulas glide onto skin effortlessly and absorb without residue, leaving behind a calm, balanced feel.
Cleansers
Even our cleansers use glycols to create that silky, cushiony feel while keeping your skin’s natural moisture intact. When you rinse, your skin feels clean yet soft—never tight or stripped.
Serums and Boosters
In our active treatments and ampoules, glycols play a key role in ensuring even distribution of potent ingredients. Whether it’s brightening niacinamide or firming peptides, glycols help them penetrate effectively and perform at their full potential.
Across every step of our routine, glycols contribute to what makes our skincare uniquely Incellderm: luxurious texture, deep hydration, and visible transformation.
6. Are Glycols Safe for All Skin Types?
Yes—when used at cosmetic concentrations, glycols are considered extremely safe and non-irritating. They are chemically stable and compatible with sensitive, dry, and combination skin.
At Incellderm and ICD Skincare, we test every formulation for skin compatibility. We ensure that even products containing multiple types of glycols remain gentle enough for daily use. Our formulations are free from industrial impurities, and every product passes stability and irritation tests before launch.
For those with very reactive skin, we always recommend a patch test, as individual sensitivities can vary. But overall, glycols are among the most reliable, skin-friendly ingredients available in cosmetic formulation.
7. The K-Beauty Advantage: Texture Meets Technology
In K-beauty, the sensorial experience is as important as the results. Glycols help us achieve that signature texture—lightweight, silky, and quick-absorbing.
They allow our creams and serums to layer beautifully without pilling or heaviness. When combined with botanical extracts and active compounds, they help deliver what we call the “ICD feel”: fresh, hydrated, and effortlessly smooth skin.
Glycols are also part of what gives our formulas their versatility. Whether your skin needs calming hydration or brightening renewal, they create the right environment for other ingredients to work at their best.
8. Our Ingredient Philosophy
Transparency and purpose guide every decision we make. We don’t add ingredients for appearance or marketing—we add them because they enhance performance and improve your skin’s health.
That’s why glycols are so important to our formulations. They embody our philosophy: science-driven, skin-respectful, and results-focused.
Every product we develop goes through multiple formulation stages, with our researchers ensuring that the balance of humectants, emollients, and actives works harmoniously. Glycols play a consistent supporting role—ensuring hydration, absorption, and longevity across the entire line.
We’re proud to share why we use them, because we believe knowledge builds trust.
9. Getting the Most Out of Glycol-Based Skincare
To fully benefit from glycol-enhanced products like ours, keep these best practices in mind:
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Apply to Damp Skin – Glycols attract moisture; using them right after cleansing helps lock in hydration.
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Layer from Light to Rich – Use our toners and ampoules first, then follow with richer moisturizers. Glycols improve absorption between layers.
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Seal in Moisture – In dry environments, finish your routine with a barrier-supporting cream to prevent moisture evaporation.
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Stay Consistent – Glycol-based hydration builds gradually. With continued use, you’ll notice smoother texture and a stronger skin barrier.
The more regularly you use our formulas, the more balanced and luminous your skin becomes.
10. Our Final Word: The Beauty of Intelligent Formulation
To us, glycols represent quiet innovation—the kind that makes a difference you can feel but may never notice on the ingredient label. They keep your skin hydrated, your products stable, and your experience seamless.
With ICD Skincare, every formula is a reflection of Korean skincare artistry backed by science. Glycols help us achieve that harmony—combining efficacy with elegance, technology with texture, and results with comfort.
By understanding their role, you can appreciate not just what makes our skincare effective, but why it feels so uniquely ours.
