Why Vegetable Glycerin Soap Benefits Sensitive Skin

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 has been used for well over a century. Hospitals rely on it to help burn victims heal more rapidly, and to make suppository use less unpleasant. It has long been a primary component in lotions, shampoos, and many other products. Derived from soybeans, coconut trees and oil palms, it is primarily a mix of fatty acids resembling a clear liquid like corn syrup. It tastes sweet, and is important in some aspects of food manufacturing.

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.

In its unadulterated form, the substance is considered to be hypoallergenic. The pervasiveness of environmental chemical toxins makes life complicated for people who live with skin allergies, and the same is true for those who suffer from eczema or psoriasis. Part of the daily routine is avoiding common chemicals that can trigger a flareup, including soap. Alcohol-based hand-cleaners are popular, but can be harsh.

Even some commercially made glycerin soaps contain small amounts of fragrance, potentially setting off reactions in sensitive users. In order to find a product that causes no noticeable discomfort, it may be necessary to sample several brands. Higher glycerol content does not necessarily mean a superior product, but does mean that there will probably be fewer issues surrounding 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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