Sensitive Skin Benefits From Using Vegetable Glycerin Soap

By Kerri Stout


To capture a significant portion of the personal-care products market, manufacturers must be sensitive to consumer trends and preferences. Buying patterns today are noticeably shifting as more people consciously avoid products containing harsh chemical additives that damage sensitive skin. Vegetable glycerin soap provides an alternative to cleansing formulas that may cause dryness, redness, or local irritation.

Glycerin is not a new discovery. It has been used for years in hospital settings to help burns heal, to make suppository use more comfortable, and in the manufacture of products such as shampoo, lotion, and other personal-use items. Made from plant oils derived from palm and coconut trees as well as soy, it becomes a natural mixture of fatty acids, and resembles other thick, colorless liquids such as corn syrup. It is sweet, and widely used in food products.

In the world of personal cosmetics, it is categorized as a humectant, or something that can draw and retain moisture to the skin. That characteristic is particularly desirable when advertising the benefits of face-care products, especially when some of the other standard chemical ingredients cause dryness. Most use synthetically derived humectants. Vegetable glycerol is considered a natural substance, and requires no additives.

When the external layer of the epidermis is moist and supple, it not only looks better, but also benefits from extended cell life through strengthened outer membranes. Many commercial face soaps actually accomplish the opposite, mainly because they closely resemble detergent, and are made from petroleum-based formulas. A few contain small quantities of lye, requiring added lotions to counteract the resulting dryness.

Because it sustains moisture and contains fewer added chemicals, the substance is considered hypoallergenic. Many people who consistently deal with skin allergies find that widespread environmental toxins can make daily life difficult, and those with chronic eczema or psoriasis face similar barriers. Avoiding common hazards becomes routine, especially with the proliferation of harsh alcohol-based hand-cleaners.

Not all commercially produced glycerin products are completely fragrance-free, potentially triggering unpleasant skin reactions in some sensitive users. It may be necessary to sample several formulations in order to find the one least reactive personally. While individual skin varies in sensitivity, higher content usually means there will be fewer problems with daily use.

Because they contain fewer chemical stabilizers than many bar soaps, vegetable-based products tend to melt away more quickly. Users should avoid long-term storage in spaces that are normally hot, and should make sure the soap dish has sufficient drainage. Lengthy air exposure can also lead to rapid evaporation. Most natural glycerin products do not lather as conspicuously as other soaps, primarily due to their chemical nature.

Many people have begun making their own product at home. There are Internet links detailing that relatively simple process, including the necessary materials, molds, and instructions on safe production. Those who prefer to buy the completed product can choose between liquid and bar forms, and there are even vegan-certified brands that use no peripheral animal products whatsoever. Properly hydrated skin not only looks better externally, but reflects good health internally.




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