Vegetable Glycerin Soap Is A Gentler Alternative

By Kerri Stout


In order for manufacturers to capture and retain a significant niche in the personal-care products market, recognizing consumer preferences and trends helps generate sales. Many people today consciously avoid buying products known to irritate sensitive skin, marking a genuine shift in purchasing patterns. Vegetable glycerin soap does not cause red, dry or flaking skin, and its popularity is growing.

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 cosmetics, it is known as a humectant, or substance that attracts and sustains moisture on the outer epidermis. This moisturizing characteristic can be especially desirable for promoting facial-care products, with an emphasis on those ingredients that actually prevent dryness. While some skin cleansers contain humectants derived synthetically, cleansers containing vegetable glycerol are considered more natural, and use fewer 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.

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.

Fewer chemical stabilizers used during manufacturing means that individual bars often fade away more quickly than other products. Storage in warm locations is not recommended due to melting, and soap dishes need adequate drainage. Long-term air exposure has the ability to cause shrinkage due to evaporation. Natural glycerin soaps also do not produce as much lather as traditional, detergent-based products.

A growing number of people have started making their own soap at home. Many Internet links detail the process, and identify the molds, materials and safety issues that are a part that process. People who still prefer to buy the finished product find both bar and liquid-pump versions, and some brands are even certified vegan, using no residual animal products. Healthy skin not only looks good, but is also a sign of good health overall.




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