Consumer preferences and buying trends are important to personal-care product makers. In a market filled with a vast number of choices, buyers have begun to avoid personal cleansing products containing irritating, damaging chemical additives, marking a genuine change in sentiment. Vegetable glycerin soap has become a significant alternative to standard formulas that often result in redness, dryness, and discomfort.
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.
Attracting and maintaining moisture not only makes skin look better, but also allows individual cells to mature properly by strengthening the outer membrane. Most commercially manufactured cleansing products have the opposite effect, primarily because they contain detergents derived in part from petroleum products. Some even contain lye in small quantities, requiring an additional lotion to counteract characteristic drying.
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 though glycerin products contain fewer hazards, they are not all fragrance-free, and even small amounts can generate reactions in some individuals. Individual skin sensitivities are unique, and finding the brand that is most comfortable for personal use may require testing several products. While higher glycerol content does not necessarily mean better cleansing, it usually means fewer reactions.
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.
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.
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.
Attracting and maintaining moisture not only makes skin look better, but also allows individual cells to mature properly by strengthening the outer membrane. Most commercially manufactured cleansing products have the opposite effect, primarily because they contain detergents derived in part from petroleum products. Some even contain lye in small quantities, requiring an additional lotion to counteract characteristic drying.
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 though glycerin products contain fewer hazards, they are not all fragrance-free, and even small amounts can generate reactions in some individuals. Individual skin sensitivities are unique, and finding the brand that is most comfortable for personal use may require testing several products. While higher glycerol content does not necessarily mean better cleansing, it usually means fewer reactions.
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.
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.
