Tired of dry skin? Want it to be soft like a baby’s skin? There’s a simple solution!

Figure1.Baby roses girl. Retrieved (Feb 7, 2018) from https://pixabay.com/en/baby-roses-girl-1262817/

Tired of dry skin? Want it to be soft like a baby’s skin? There’s a simple solution!

Glycerol also known as glycerin is used in many cosmetic products, drugs and food¹. Glycerol is colorless, odorless and sweet². It also has some preservative properties which means, it helps products not spoil and makes them soft¹. For these reasons many products like lotions, lip gloss and many other cosmetic products contain it¹. Some other chemicals in your skin care tend to lose their structure when they are mixed with other chemicals but glycerin doesn’t¹. It’s a very cheap formula to buy, available in all stores¹. Glycerol is a by-product of biodiesel production⁷.

Glycerin is very safe if used in small amounts and can cause health effects if used in higher amounts¹. Some side effects you should be aware of are; burning, stinging, redness and irritation may occur⁵. If you are allergic to this chemical it may cause respiration problems and dizziness⁵.

How does it work?

Dry skin usually occurs due to the lack of water in the top layer of the skin⁵. Glycerin has hygroscopic properties, which means it absorbs water from the air and makes the skin look hydrated by locking the moisture in the top layer of skin⁶.

Scared of using chemical glycerin for skin?

Not to worry there are alternatives to using chemically produced glycerin. Glycerin is a type of oil, so if you want to hydrate you skin there are natural glycerols available⁴.  There is palm, vegetable and coconut glycerin³. The other benefits of glycerol are it can heal wounds and helps to replace sweetner³. Isn’t that some great benefits of such a cheap chemical?

Why wait to get that soft skin you always wanted, it’s only a store away!

References:

1) Bellatory (2018). Creative Uses for Glycerin: Health, Personal Care, and Crafts. [online] Available at: https://bellatory.com/hygiene-grooming/Creative-uses-for-Glycerine-Health-personal-care-crafts-and-many-others [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018].

 2) Glycerol https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/glycerol#section=Top (accessed Jan 29, 2018).

3) Innovateus (2018). What is Glycerin used for?. [online] Available at: http://www.innovateus.net/innopedia/what-glycerin-used [Accessed 5 Feb. 2018].

4) Gourmet Sleuth (2018). Glycerin. [online] Available at: https://www.gourmetsleuth.com/ingredients/detail/glycerin [Accessed 6 Feb. 2018].

 5) Cold et al. (2018). Drugs & Medications. [online] Webmd.com. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-20275/glycerin-topical/details [Accessed 6 Feb. 2018].

6) Truth in aging (2018). Is Glycerin Good for Skin - Glycerin for Dry Skin - Truth In Aging. [online] Available at: https://www.truthinaging.com/review/is-glycerin-good-or-bad-for-your-skin [Accessed 6 Feb. 2018].

7) Eliot, A. Glycerin Substitutes LEAFtv. https://www.leaf.tv/articles/glycerin-substitutes/ (accessed Jan 30, 2018).