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 cosmetic world, the substance is classified as a humectant, able to draw moisture to the outer layers of skin. This particular strength is useful in making and promoting beauty products for facial use, emphasizing the ingredients that help prevent dryness and discoloration. There are synthetic humectants used in some similar products, but vegetable glycerol is generally considered a natural substance.
Maintaining higher skin moisture levels not only looks good, but also encourages skin cells to fully mature by creating a stronger outer membrane. Many commercially manufactured skin-care soaps are chemically based on petroleum, and have the opposite effect of weakening individual cell walls. Some products even contain minute quantities of lye, making it necessary to counteract resulting dryness by applying an additional lotion.
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.
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.
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 cosmetic world, the substance is classified as a humectant, able to draw moisture to the outer layers of skin. This particular strength is useful in making and promoting beauty products for facial use, emphasizing the ingredients that help prevent dryness and discoloration. There are synthetic humectants used in some similar products, but vegetable glycerol is generally considered a natural substance.
Maintaining higher skin moisture levels not only looks good, but also encourages skin cells to fully mature by creating a stronger outer membrane. Many commercially manufactured skin-care soaps are chemically based on petroleum, and have the opposite effect of weakening individual cell walls. Some products even contain minute quantities of lye, making it necessary to counteract resulting dryness by applying an additional lotion.
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.
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.
