My stepmother had beautiful skin. She was 10 years older than my dad, but never looked it—even at 90. She always looked for glycerin in her skin care products.
There’s a reason that was smart. Glycerin helps to keep skin moisturized. It prevents dryness and cracking. No wonder it’s used in skin-care products to moisturize the face and body.
The only other product that’s as effective is squalene. However, it’s more expensive when sourced from vegetable oils.
Where does the glycerin in our skin care products come from?
Glycerin can come from animal products, plants or petroleum. As you might guess, this means you need oil to make it. When you combine an oil with a strong alkali like sodium hydroxide, the result is soap solids and glycerin. Glycerin is a natural by-product of soap making.
Commercial factories usually extract the glycerin (one reason commercial bar soap has a different texture than handmade soap). However, handmade soap makers like All for Better Health prefer to leave the glycerin in the soap we produce. This glycerin-rich soap is friendlier on the skin—especially as you gain a few years of experience! So what if we sometimes have a pattern in our soaps that called “glycerin” rivers
Because it’s such a great product, we use glycerin derived from plants in our lotions and creams.
Here’s why glycerin is beneficial in skin care.
Glycerin is an excellent ingredient for skin care products. We’ve already learned that it keeps skin hydrated, but did you know it also protects your skin from irritants? It’s great for protection against extreme temperatures.
In addition, glycerin is a natural ingredient with additional powers.
- Glycerin is oil-free and non-comedogenic. That means it can help fight acne caused by excessive sebum production.
- It plumps the skin from within by drawing moisture into the dermis. This minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- It also supports collagen retention, something that really matters as we age.
- If you get a cut or abrasion, it can speed up your skin’s healing process. [Source]
- It’s mildly antimicrobial and antiviral, which is why the FDA has approved it to treat wounds. [Source]
- It’s the perfect ingredient for moisturizing facials.
Protective Qualities of Glycerin
Glycerin is an essential addition to hand sanitizers. It reduces the drying effects of the alcohol without reducing the sanitizing power of the alcohol. However, you’ll notice that the more glycerin a hand sanitizer contains the long it takes to absorb. There’s a short time you’re your hands feel sticky. That’s the glycerin. Yet, you’ll also notice that your skin absorbs the glycerin quickly.
Smart women who recommend glycerin skin care products
Joanna Vargas, a celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas salons, uses glycerin in many of her skin care products. Dermatologist Dr. Heather D. Rogers includes a glycerin-based cleanser in her evening skin care routine. [Source]
Summary
Glycerin is great for your skin. It’s great for dry, irritated skin. It can help prevent the skin from drying out, too.
As my precious step-mom proved, it can make you look younger by supporting your skin at all stages of your life—from your teen years onward. Isn’t it great something so close to nature is so beneficial!
