Glycerin is a versatile ingredient that is used in both the food and cosmetic industries. Most of us have come across soaps, beauty products, and acne products that contain glycerin. What makes glycerin a versatile product? What are its healthy properties for the skin? Can it cure acne and other skin diseases? Let’s find out!
Going deeper into the chemistry of glycerin, we find that it is a humectant, that is, a substance that allows water retention. Being hygroscopic, it can absorb moisture from the air. So what do we infer? Glycerin can be a great moisturizer for your skin! Not surprisingly, it is used as a softening agent in soaps, lotions, body scrubs, creams, etc. Also known as glycerol, glycerin is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic compound that is unlikely to cause allergies or irritation. A note of caution here is that you should not apply concentrated glycerin to the skin, as it can draw water from the skin and cause blisters. In its diluted form, glycerin is safe and is even used in skin products intended for babies or children.
Dry skin can be itchy and flaky, allowing dead skin cells to build up, clogging skin pores and aggravating the acne problem. Glycerin’s moisturizing property allows pores to breathe, locking in natural moisture and preventing clogging. Thus, it addresses one of the main causes of acne, namely clogged pores. It works from the outside in by filling in small cracks and gaps in the skin’s surface to give it a healthier, smoother appearance. Among other properties, glycerin can fight fungal infections, bacterial infections, and skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. Glycerin is also inexpensive.
In what form is glycerin most effective? You can apply glycerin directly to your skin or add it to a moisturizer or make your own face mask with it. Here’s a simple formula: mix glycerin with fuller’s earth to form a smooth paste and apply it to your face. After it dries, just wash it off with cold water. Alternatively, you can make a facial scrub by mixing the white of an egg with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of glycerin. Be sure to whisk the ingredients together: Beat the egg white separately first, then add the honey and glycerin. Honey is not only healthy for your skin, but also sticky enough to keep your face mask on and peel off the layer of dead skin. Apply the mixture on your face and let it dry until you feel the tightening effect. Remove the mask and rinse with cold water. Another option is to mix equal amounts of vegetable glycerin, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil and use the mixture to massage into your skin. Adding a few drops of essential oil can impart a pleasant fragrance to the massage mixture.
Using products that contain glycerin is the easiest way to include glycerin in your daily skin and hair care regimen. However, for specific conditions like acne, proper use of glycerin can trigger a natural remedy and provide a protective barrier for the outermost layer of skin.