Thursday, September 18, 2014

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 has been used for well over a century. Hospitals rely on it to help burn victims heal more rapidly, and to make suppository use less unpleasant. It has long been a primary component in lotions, shampoos, and many other products. Derived from soybeans, coconut trees and oil palms, it is primarily a mix of fatty acids resembling a clear liquid like corn syrup. It tastes sweet, and is important in some aspects of food manufacturing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One common failing of these soaps is the tendency for vegetable-based cleansing bars to melt away more quickly than standard formulas. Long-term storage in warm locations is not recommended, and making sure the soap dish drains properly can save money. When exposed to air for long periods, evaporation is usually the result. In addition, natural glycerin soaps produce less lather than most detergent-based products.

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.




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