Successful Weight Loss

Sensitive Skin Benefits From Using Vegetable Glycerin Soap

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 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.

The substance draws and holds moisture near the surface of the skin, and in its purest form is considered hypoallergenic. The prevalence of environmental toxins can make life difficult for many people with skin allergies, or those who suffer from conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. Avoiding chemical irritants becomes part of the daily routine, especially as alcohol-based hand cleaner use spreads.

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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