Glycogen: What Is It, Cosmetic Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining exactly what it is and why it's used within cosmetic formulations.
Updated on: June 27, 2025
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We verify all information on this page using publicly available nomenclature standards from The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), the European Commission's CosIng database and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Glycogen?

Glycogen is a large branched carbohydrate made of glucose units that the body naturally stores for quick energy. For cosmetic use it is usually obtained from plants such as corn or from marine sources like oysters after careful purification. Early studies in the 1990s showed that when applied to skin glycogen could hold water in a way similar to glycerin, which led formulators to explore it for moisturizers and serums.

Commercial cosmetic grade glycogen is produced by extracting the raw material, breaking it down with food grade enzymes, then filtering and spray drying it into a fine powder. The result is a neutral water soluble ingredient that mixes easily with lotions, gels and creams.

You will most often see glycogen on the ingredient list of hydrating masks, daily moisturizers, soothing after sun products, anti aging serums and leave on hair conditioners where extra moisture and softness are desired.

Glycogen’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

In skin and hair care glycogen can serve more than one helpful role

  • Humectant: attracts water from the environment and pulls it into the upper layers of the skin which boosts hydration, gives a plumper look and can reduce the appearance of fine lines. In hair products the same water binding action helps maintain softness and manageability.
  • Skin conditioning: forms a light flexible film on the surface that smooths rough texture, improves suppleness and enhances overall feel without a greasy residue.

Who Can Use Glycogen

Glycogen is gentle enough for most skin types. Dry skin gains extra moisture, oily skin benefits from light hydration that will not feel greasy and sensitive skin usually tolerates it because it is non acid and fragrance free. There are no known issues for darker or acne prone skin either.

Vegan and vegetarian users need to check the source. Glycogen made from corn or other plants is plant based yet the version extracted from oysters or other shellfish is not, so labeling or a quick note to the brand is wise.

No research shows that topical glycogen poses a risk for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. That said this is not medical advice and anyone expecting or nursing should clear any new skincare with a healthcare professional to be safe.

The ingredient does not cause photosensitivity so it will not make skin more likely to burn in the sun. It also plays well with common actives like niacinamide, peptides and low level retinoids without known conflicts.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Reactions to topical glycogen differ from person to person. The points below list potential side effects yet most users will not notice any problems when the product is well formulated.

  • Mild redness or stinging: very uncommon and usually short lived if it occurs
  • Contact allergy: possible in people allergic to shellfish when the glycogen is marine sourced
  • Clogged pores: rare but can happen in heavy cream formulas on very oily skin
  • Irritation from impurities: unlikely with reputable brands yet can occur if the raw material is poorly purified

If you notice any unexpected itching, swelling or rash stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 1 out of 5. Glycogen is a large water-soluble molecule that sits on the surface, attracts moisture and easily rinses away, so it has very little tendency to block pores. The one point reflects that in very rich or occlusive formulas the overall product, not the glycogen itself, might feel heavy on very oily skin.

Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone users in most formulas.

Because glycogen is sometimes paired with oils or butters to boost hydration, check the full ingredient list if you are vigilant about pore-clogging components.

Summary

Glycogen works as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent, pulling water into the upper layers of skin then forming a light flexible film that leaves skin or hair feeling soft and smooth. Its popularity is moderate; it shows up in hydrating masks, after sun gels and a growing number of leave-on conditioners but it is still less common than old standbys like glycerin.

The ingredient scores well for safety. It is generally non-irritating, non-sensitizing and pregnancy-safe, with the main caution being for those with shellfish allergies when marine sourced material is used. As with any new product, a quick patch test is a smart way to spot individual sensitivities before applying it all over.

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