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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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