Yeah, by no means does Williams require glycerin to be effective, but adding a little makes it seem like a much more luxurious soap. It helps the lather too, by that I mean I can whip up a good lather a bit faster. The glycerin should help it be less drying, though I haven't had any trouble with that personally. I actually had more trouble with some of the big name no-lather creams drying my face out.