BACKGROUND The exact mechanisms that acetamide and glycerol interact with cell membrane remains a matter of debate. OBJECTIVE To investigate the microscopic interactions of acetamide and glycerol with phospholipid bilayers at various temperatures. METHODS Molecular dynamics simulations of a hydrated dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer in the presence of glycerol and acetamide were performed. The system contains 128 lipids and about 700 cryoprotectant molecules, and simulations extended to 15 ns. RESULTS When compared to glycerol, acetamide shows a stronger affinity with water rather than the lipid bilayer. CONCLUSIONS The knowledge of the mixing dynamics of present system helps to develop better cryoprotective formulas and to propose more optimal cooling/warming protocols.