Glycerin is a key ingredient in many soaps, but what is glycerin and what are the benefits of using glycerin soap?

photo courtesy of foxiq

What is Glycerin?

Glycerin is actually a by-product of the industrial soap making process. It is a colorless, odorless liquid that is very thick at room temperature with a sweet taste. It has a high boiling point and it can be frozen to a paste-like substance. The industrial process of making soap involves reacting a fat or oil, such as olive oil, with lye. During this process, glycerin is produced, which is often removed to add to lotions and creams. Most handmade soaps differ from industrial as the glycerin is not removed, and in some instances further glycerin is actually added.

Why Add Glycerin to Soap?

Glycerin is known as a humectant, which means that it attracts water. It is said to be hygroscopic as it can absorb water directly from the air. Pure glycerin will remove water not only from the air, but from anything it is placed on. Should you place pure glycerin on your skin, it would actually dry out the area since was removing the water.

When glycerin is diluted with water and other products, it has the opposite effect on skin. Instead of drying out the skin, it acts as a moisturizer. It is unclear whether the additional moisturizing results from the fact that glycerin attracts water to your skin or it is due to some other unknown property of glycerin. Either way, the result is that glycerin is highly moisturizing, which is why many companies remove it from their soaps and add it to their higher priced lotions and creams.

So, the key benefit to using soaps that contain glycerin is that they will cause your skin to be softer and smoother, and even improve its appearance. Also, glycerin soaps are an excellent choice for those with sensitive or delicate skin as they dissolve a lot easier and are not as hard on skin as other soaps can be.