Glycerin – properties, application, effect on the skin, side effects

Proven content

Glycerin is a very well-known cosmetic ingredient used for its long-lasting moisturizing effect. It is also a commonly used ingredient in soaps. Interestingly, glycerin can be of natural origin from coconut fat, and industrial origin from propylene. While it’s a great moisturizer, it can also do harm. What is worth knowing when buying glycerin products?

Glycerin – definition

Glycerin, also referred to as glycerol, is a colorless, odorless liquid with a sweet taste. It is sticky at room temperature and non-toxic at low concentrations. Glycerin was discovered in 1779.

Glycerin is viewed in biological systems as an intermediate in the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, since excess carbohydrates can be converted into long-chain fatty acids and esterified with three hydroxyl groups.

Glycerin can affect the body’s immune responses through histamines, increased antibody production, and by increasing the activity of immune cells, and therefore is classified as an allergen. In the blood, glycerin can raise blood pressure by preferentially attracting tissue water to the plasma and lymph. In nephrons, glycerin can increase the volume of urine, preventing water resorption.

See also: WHO provides recipes for hand disinfectants. For use in the fight against coronavirus

Glycerin – history

Glycerin was discovered by accident by a Swedish scientist named KW Scheele. He investigated the similarities between the soap and the drying plaster called A simple plaster. The ointment is made of lead salts of fatty acids, while the soap is made of sodium salts of organic acids.

During his experiments with the reaction of olive oil with lead oxide, he discovered a water-soluble substance with a sweet taste. It was the first chemical isolation of glycerin recorded and was originally referred to as the “sweet base of fat”.

Scheele analyzed the substance and found it to be different from other sugars known at the time. Glycerin did not crystallize, did not ferment, and showed greater heat resistance than most other sugars. He also investigated the difference between glycerin and cane sugar, especially in its proportion of oxygen. Scheele showed that more nitric acid is needed to oxidize glycerin than it does to cane sugar. It also did not release base when reacting with ethanol. Although it could not be crystallized easily, it could be distilled. It also decomposes at higher temperatures.

In 1836, the chemical formula of glycerin was explained by a French scientist named Pelouze. He proposed the empirical formula C3H8O3. Fifty years later, the structural formula C3H5 (OH) 3 was adopted, based on the work of two scientists Berthelot and Lucea.

The importance of glycerin as a commercially important chemical is related to its use in the production of dynamite. Alfred Nobel, discovered a method to reliably stabilize, transport and handle trinitroglycerin, which is the central explosive compound in dynamite.

Also read: Nitroglycerin – action, purpose, dosage, contraindications, substitutes

Glycerin – physical and chemical properties

Pure glycerin has a melting point of 17,8 ° C. The boiling point of glycerin is 290 ° C, but it also decomposes at this temperature. The presence of three hydroxyl groups makes the compound hygroscopic, with a tendency to absorb moisture from the air. This makes it also useful as a humectant in cosmetics and food, retaining water and preventing substances from drying out.

Glycerin is easily soluble in water due to the ability of polyol groups to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. Glycerin is slightly denser than water with a specific gravity of 1,26. This means that when glycerin is poured into a container of water, it will sink to the bottom. However, due to its solubility, glycerin will form an aqueous solution over time and with gentle agitation.

Glycerin can cause mild irritation to the eyes, nose, lungs and skin, especially due to its hygroscopic nature. The skin can become dry when pure glycerin comes into contact with it. Since the glycerin molecule can bind to water, the same property that makes glycerin a good humectant also dries out external tissues. On the other hand, if a cosmetic preparation with a high water content is applied to the skin, especially in dry conditions, the presence of glycerin can prevent the lotion, cream or gel from drying out quickly.

Glycerin – methods of production

Glycerin is obtained mainly from plant and animal sources, where it occurs in the form of triglycerides. These compounds are glycerol esters containing long chain carboxylic acids. Plant sources of glycerin are usually soybeans or palm trees. Another source is tallow of animal origin.

Glycerin can also be produced in various ways from propylene, which is a three-carbon double bond petrochemical. The most important process is epichlorohydrin, which involves chlorination of propylene to give allyl chloride which is then oxidized with hypochlorite to form dichlorohydrin which gives epichlorohydrin by reaction with a strong base. Then this epichlorohydrin is then hydrolyzed to form glycerin.

Glycerin – application

Glycerin is used in many industries. It is used in the pharmaceutical industry, in cosmetics and personal care products, in the production of resins, detergents, plastics and tobacco, and as a humectant in food.

Glycerin is used in the cosmetics industry as a moisture-controlling agent and to improve the consistency of lotions and creams. Glycerin’s ability to retain moisture and its softening properties make it an attractive ingredient in many moisturizing formulations. Glycerin can also prevent the cosmetic from drying out or freezing.

Vegetable glycerin can be found in e.g. Hyaluronic anti-aging booster PREMIUM ROSE Wild Flower and Hyaluronic face cream Nutri PREMIUM ROSE Wild Flower. The glycerin present in them protects the skin against the harmful effects of external factors.

In food, the usefulness of glycerin is due to its ability to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds, especially with water molecules. This increases the water content of the preserved food without compromising the shelf life, and also improves the viscosity and texture. Low toxicity and no unpleasant smell and taste allow the use of glycerin as an emulsifier.

Crude glycerin is a by-product of biofuel production from soybean oil and other vegetable oils. It contains over 60% of impurities in the form of methanol, soaps and salt, which makes it difficult to extract pure glycerin. Recent technological advances allow the use of crude glycerin in the production of urethane foams. Polyurethane foams are widely used in the construction and automotive industries. They are also commonly used as insulators.

Pure glycerin is a key component of the industrial production of antifreeze for textiles and waxes. It is used in large quantities in the production of resins, paints and waxes, in the creation of cleaning agents and in the production of many textiles.

In the pharmaceutical industry, glycerin is used to make tablets to make them easy to swallow. The shell may crumble in the body. Cough lozenges often contain glycerin to add a sweet taste. Glycerin suppositories can act as laxatives as they may irritate the rectal mucosa.

See also: Levator anus syndrome – what is it manifested?

Glycerin – cosmetic properties

Glycerin is known primarily for its cosmetic properties. It dissolves in water, propylene glycol and alcohol, but does not dissolve in fats, which in turn dissolve very well in glycerin. Cosmetics use glycerin in a concentration of 5 to 15 percentmaking it an ideal moisturizing ingredient. Thanks to the small size of the particles, it penetrates into the deeper layers of the epidermis and does not work only on its surface.

Vegetable glycerin is a component of numerous cosmetics available at medonetmarket.pl, such as:

1. caring Ivory Beige foundation from Embryolisse,
2. Bonne Mine Embryolisse – smoothing and brightening serum – glycerin together with hyaluronic acid are responsible for its moisturizing properties,
3. Bioherba rosacea tonic with soothing properties and regulating sebum production,
4. moisturizing Vianek shower gel, which cleans and cares for the skin without causing irritation,
5. Vianek intensively regenerating hand treatment – protects against drying and smoothes the skin of the hands.

The advantage of glycerin is also its price. Due to the fact that the ingredient itself is cheap, glycerin creams are also distinguished by low prices. Glycerin can be found in creams and lipsticks. It provides cosmetics with a good consistency, which allows the product to retain its shape (e.g. lipsticks) in the packaging, but also when applied to the skin, it is easily absorbed. In addition, glycerin, although it is not a preservative, has a positive effect on the durability of cosmetics.

At Medonet Market you will find Naturaphy glycerine soaps and Sylveco hand cleansing gels, e.g .:

1. Antibacterial liquid soap with aloe extract,
2. Antibacterial lemon liquid soap with aloe extract,
3. Antibacterial lavender liquid soap with aloe extract,
4. Sylveco moisturizing hand wash gel,
5. Sylveco moisturizing hand wash gel – winter version.

Glycerin – the main uses for the skin

Glycerin, as already mentioned, is used in cosmetic products. Glycerin products help to strengthen the epidermal barrier. Water is an essential component of the skin. Without enough water, our skin becomes dehydrated. Glycerin has a beneficial effect on the skin barrier by drawing water out of the air to keep the skin hydrated and minimize water loss.

Glycerin can remain in the skin for a while to help retain moistureeven when exposed to harmful environmental factors such as pollution. Glycerin can also help the skin’s natural lipids maintain their structure.

Glycerin is part of the Bioherba Plant Collagen Moisturizing Serum, which you can currently buy at a promotional price on Medonet Market.

Glycerin to smooth the skin

Glycerin has softening properties. Research shows that skin care products contain glycerin can significantly soften and improve the appearance of rough, dry skin. Products containing glycerin in addition to other moisturizers can be particularly effective because glycerin can help improve the absorption of other topical ingredients, especially lipids (such as oil-rich plant extracts). Try, for example, Hypoallergenic liquid soap for atopic skin Mydlarnia FOUR SPACES.

Glycerin to improve the appearance of the skin

One of the most unique features of glycerin is its ability to temporarily tone the skin’s appearance and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Research shows that glycerin penetrates the skin and increases the volume of water between cells, giving the skin a fuller, firmer appearance. Glycerin also binds to and stabilizes collagen, the protein responsible for giving the skin elasticity. Together, these combined effects contribute to a youthful appearance.

Glycerin is one of the active ingredients of the Vianek moisturizing cleansing milk for dry and atopic skin, which is available on Medonet Market at an attractive price. Thanks to glycerin, the Biolaven day cream for dry and demanding skin allows the skin to stay hydrated for longer. It is also included in the composition of the firming body lotion Vianek, which strengthens, firms and smoothes the skin, and reduces the visibility of cellulite.

Glycerin also has a positive effect on the condition of the hair. To nourish dry hair and maintain its color for longer after dyeing, order the Vianek regenerating shampoo for blonde, colored and bleached hair or the Vianek regenerating shampoo for dark and colored hair with the addition of glycerin.

Glycerin can also be used in hair care. It is often a component of strengthening and smoothing conditioners, but you can get it in its pure form at the pharmacy. Just a drop rubbed in your hands and applied to wet hair will make it shinier, pleasant to the touch and easy to comb. We recommend Duetus shower gel and 2in1 shampoo with glycerin.

Glycerin – side effects and contraindications

While there don’t seem to be many reported side effects, glycerin is a natural product, so there’s always the possibility of an allergic reaction. You may be allergic to glycerin or any other ingredient in glycerin creams. The most common symptom of an allergy is a small red rash. Although both ingredients work in a similar way and have the same properties, cosmetics with glycerin are safer than cosmetics with paraffin, because they are less allergenic and do not cause irritation. Although both ingredients work in a similar way and have the same properties.

If you experience redness, itching, or a rash, stop using the product containing glycerin immediately. Look for an alternative product that does not contain glycerin and be sure to read the labels carefully.

Glycerin – can it lighten the skin?

Although using glycerin alone can moisturize and exfoliate the skin, some proponents argue that combining glycerin with other ingredients can also whiten the skin. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.

Using glycerin in conjunction with other products such as lemon water and rose water can help revitalize dull, dry skin or soften the skin, making it easier to exfoliate.

These ingredients work well together because glycerin provides hydration and rose water has an astringent effect. It not only cleanses, but also tightens pores and tones the skin. Meanwhile, the acidity of lemon juice can improve discoloration and uneven pigmentation. Remember, however, that there is no evidence to support the claim that any of these ingredients will brighten your skin.

Try to make your own serum:

1. combine 5 drops of pure glycerin with the juice of 1 lemon and 20 milliliters (ml) of rose water,
2. pour the mixture into a small bottle or spray bottle,
3. apply the liquid to the face every day with a finger or a cotton pad or spread it in the form of a mist to get a healthy glow after applying makeup,
4. store the serum in the refrigerator.

Anyone looking to apply pure glycerin to their skin should consider using pure plant-based glycerin. Many supporters believe that this is a better option than animal-based or synthetic alternatives.