Analysis of Glycerin

By Laurel Brown
http://www.livestrong.com/article/231965-analysis-of-glycerin/#ixzz1vuoqZvOC

While many people know that glycerin is an ingredient found in soap, the actual identification and the full range of the substance's uses are less known. Glycerin is actually a substance that appears in many forms and in many uses in the modern world. You can find it in industrial processes, food production, pharmaceuticals and even explosives. An analysis of glycerin shows its full importance.

Identification

de: Struktur von Glycerin; en: Structure of glycerol (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Glycerin is a liquid substance in its natural state, which can freeze into a paste-like solid at slightly lowered temperatures. The pure form of glycerin is known as glycerol, a natural alcohol, while the impure form used in manufacturing holds the official name of glycerin. Glycerin is a very viscous liquid, has a sweet taste and is colorless. The substance dissolves easily in water and alcohol and also functions as an excellent solvent for many liquids. Chemically, glycerin is an organic molecule in which five hydrogen ions and three hydroxide ions attach to three carbon ions. The chemical formula is C3H8O3.

History

Although used in soap-making for centuries, there was no way to isolate glycerin during the manufacturing process until 1889. Manufacturers then found that adding salt to the soap mixture at the end of the process separates the glycerin from the soap. You can then distill the glycerin and filter it with charcoal.

English: oligomer Glycerol Deutsch: oligomeres Glycerin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Function

The most common use of glycerin is in soap, where the substance contributes to the consistency and appearance of the soap. Because glycerin is a humectant, it can attract moisture to the skin and is an excellent moisturizer as a result. Glycerin does this by hygroscopic qualities that absorb water from the surrounding environment. As a result, glycerin in soap needs to be diluted, as pure glycerin can cause irritation to the skin if it is allowed to absorb the skin's moisture.

Benefits

There are many uses of glycerin, although its position as a component in soap is the most common. Glycerin is also necessary to make nitroglycerin, the basis for dynamite. You can also use glycerin to conserve preserved fruit, to lower the freezing point for mechanical systems, for lubrication, as a base for skin lotion, to make printing ink, to preserve biological samples and as an ingredient in candy-making.

Considerations

Glycerin can also appear as a major ingredient in pharmacological drugs, where its hygroscopic properties can reduce collected water. Doctors may prescribe an oral drug containing glycerin to treat glaucoma or to reduce ocular fluids following eye surgery. Glycerin-based drugs also can treat constipation and can evacuate the rectum and bowel before medical examination.

The Effects of Glycerin on Skin

THE EFFECTS OF GLYCERIN ON SKIN

Glycerin is a compound that can be made from natural products such as vegetable oil, or can be synthesized from propylene alcohol. The result is an alcohol-based product that is an ingredient in many skin-care products. Glycerin, also called glycerol, can be used for both cosmetic purposes and as a treatment for medical conditions of the skin. The effects of glycerin on skin are a healthier more natural-looking appearance.

PROMOTES SKIN CELL MATURATION

Glycerin, or glycerol, can fight the effects of skin diseases such as psoriasis. Drs. Xiangjian Zheng and Wendy Bollinger Bollag explain in the December 2003 issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology that glycerin, when applied to the skin, signals the cells to mature in normal fashion. Psoriasis is a skin disease in which the skin cells shed too quickly, before they are properly mature, causing thickened, scaly skin. The application of glycerin can interrupt this abnormal process, and allows the cells to reach full maturation before shedding. The compound can also help wounds heal more quickly in some cases.

MAINTAINS WATER BALANCE

Glycerin is what is called a humectant, meaning that it attracts water. When glycerin or glycerol is applied to the skin, it seals in moisture that might otherwise escape. According to Dermaxime, a manufacturer of anti-aging skin-care products, glycerin helps maintain the skin's water balance on an intercellular level. In easier-to-understand language, glycerin in lotions or other skin care products can help prevent or combat dry skin.

IMPROVE APPEARANCE OF SKIN

In addition to keeping the moisture level of the skin on track, the cosmetic effect of glycerin on skin is that the skin looks healthier and more attractive with the use of glycerin. The improved appearance of skin is due in part to the fact that the skin is hydrated and does not have the characteristic scaly look of dry skin. The fact that glycerin can have a therapeutic effect on wounds and other skin diseases also contributes to skin looking healthier and smoother. Glycerin is an emollient, making skin not only moist, but soft and supple to the touch.

REFERENCES

• Medical News Today: Glycerin May Help Skin Disease
• "Journal of Investigative Dermatology"; Xiangjian Zheng and Wendy Bollinger Bollag; Aquaporin 3 Colocates With Phospholipase D2 in Caveolin-Rich Membrane Microdomains and Is Downregulated Upon Keratinocyte Differentiation; Dec. 8, 2003
• Dermaxime: Glycerin in Skin-Care Products

Aug 11, 2011 | By Erica Roth

Article reviewed by demand25069 Last updated on: Aug 11, 2011


Read More:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/78934-effects-glycerin-skin/#ixzz1tjyJTlvA

BENEFITS OF GLYCERIN SOAP

Glycerin Soap

Soaps vary a great deal in terms of their ingredients. For example, while some soaps make your skin dry, other soaps are very moisturizing. Glycerin soaps are considered to be one of the most moisturizing types of soap. The unique quality of this type of soap allows it to be both moisturizing and effective for all different kinds of skin. The benefits of glycerin soap help your skin become healthy and moisturized.

All Natural

One of the benefits of using glycerin soap is that it can be completely natural, with no synthetic ingredients added to it during the manufacturing process. All soap manufacturers differ, however. While glycerin soap can be totally natural, some glycerin soap manufacturers do add a small amount of synthetic ingredients.

Sensitive Skin

Because glycerin soaps can be completely natural, they are particularly beneficial for people who have sensitive skin. Synthetic ingredients can create skin complications or irritate dormant skin problems. Glycerin soap, on the other hand, can be used for even the most sensitive skin. It can even be used with skin problems like eczema or psoriasis. Glycerin soaps do not irritate the skin or create negative reactions like normal soap does.

Moisturizing

Glycerin is thought to be a humectant, which means that it can attract moisture. Due to this quality, glycerin soaps attract moisture to your skin and keep it locked in. This provides your skin constant hydration. Unlike some soaps that dry your skin out and make it feel tight and even flaky, glycerin soap keeps your skin feeling more hydrated for several hours after you use it. Using glycerin soap on a regular basis can help your skin become softer and suppler.

Healthy Skin

By keeping your skin well moisturized, you can create the foundation for healthy skin. Completely moisturized and healthy skin prevents you from developing wrinkles, stretch marks and tears in your skin. Although glycerin is a great soap to clean your whole body, using it to wash your face can offer you additional benefits. Using harsh soap that dries out the skin of your face often causes your skin to make up for its dryness by creating extra oil, which clogs your skin and creates skin problems. Glycerin soap can help decrease or completely rid you of acne when you use it as a face wash.

Ref:  http://www.livestrong.com/article/87954-benefits-glycerin-soap/

Why Go Glycerin? Homemade is the Answer!

Find Out Why Homemade Soap Is Healthier For Your Skin!

Homemade soap definitely has an edge over factory produced bars - it's gentle on our bodies and a lot cheaper. Thanks to the natural ingredients used in making homemade soap. Start making soaps and you can enjoy healthy, safer soaps with all your favorite scents and ingredients.

The Glycerin Gap

A bar of commercial bath soap can last you two weeks but a bar of clear glycerin soap has a lifespan of three to four days. Commercial bath soaps are harder because the naturally-occurring glycerin, a by-product of the soap preparation is removed and used in beauty creams and shampoos. Animal or vegetable fat and lye is the major ingredient in basic and easy soap making.

Animal and vegetable fat contain naturally occurring glycerin; lye is the by-product of ash and water. In commercial preparation, salt is added to lye and animal or vegetable fats concoction to separate and extract glycerin. In contrast, homemade soap preparation leaves the glycerin in the mix. The glycerin removed from commercial soap is used as an important ingredient in creams, lotions, and shampoos because glycerin keeps the skin and hair soft and smooth.

A commercial soap bar does not contain glycerin whilst your homemade soap is loaded with this important natural skin softener. Try using commercial bath soap on your hair, and you have dry coarse hair. To solve the problem, you lather your hair with expensive shampoo. However, glycerin soap can be used on the hair aswell and you get fantastic results.

Glycerin is a natural humectant. It is non-oily sweet-tasting liquid that attracts moisture in the environment. It is also colorless. When mixed with water or alcohol, it dissolves easily but not when combined with fragrant oils. This explains well why glycerin soap melts faster than commercial soap and why it is a favorite with scented creams, moisturizing gels and lotions.

Humectants keep the skin smooth and supple. Since this is not a man-made chemical, glycerin is does not irritate the skin. In fact glycerin soap is always recommended for individuals with sensitive to dry skin. As beauty soap, it keeps the facial skin smooth and clear. Hence, glycerin spells the big difference between commercial and homemade soap.

Baby Care

Babies and young children benefit from homemade soap because it does not contain toxic chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulphate or SLS. SLS causes the foaming in soaps. This chemical is used also in shampoos and degreasing agents to remove grease from engines. If this chemical can remove grease, it can remove the body's natural oils, causing dry skin which leads to skin rashes and irritations, and eczema. Also, would you want your baby's tender and sensitive skin to absorb this chemical? Definitely not.

A 1983 report from the American College of Toxicology showed that a minute concentration or 5% of SLS can trigger skin irritation and higher levels of the chemical caused severe skin irritation and skin corrosion. Can you imagine your baby taking in all those chemicals and poison everyday?

Therefore, making soaps gives you complete control in deciding what ingredients to use. You can choose ingredients that are safe for baby's hair and scalp, too. High quality organic ingredients are always used for homemade soap. You can make them yourself or order these online from experienced homemade soap makers.

Author:

http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/suzanne-currie/402282

Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/find-out-why-homemade-soap-is-healthier-for-your-skin-2139238.html#ixzz1G2RCX87M

Saving lives with second-hand soap

Photo credit: Global Soap Project.  

Everybody loves the little soaps that come in hotel rooms, right? Well, as cute as they are, they also add up to a lot of waste – it’s estimated that almost 3 million of those bars are thrown away in the U.S. every day.

But one nonprofit is working to keep bars of soap out of the landfill and get them into the hands of people who need them most.

It’s called the Global Soap Project. It recovers soap from hotels and repurposes it into new bars for people in developing nations who are vulnerable to hygiene-related health problems.

Recently, the nonprofit announced that it is partnering with the Hilton hotel chain, which will donate both money and soap to the project. Hilton says it expects to provide one million new bars of soap to people in need within the first year of participating in the program.

The Global Soap Project was founded by Derreck Kayongo, a former refugee who saw firsthand the devastating impacts that easily preventable illnesses had on vulnerable populations.

IMG_8496 (Photo credit: Scott Christian)

“When living as a refugee in Kenya, I realized soap was hard to come by, even completely nonexistent sometimes,” Kayongo said in a statement. “Even when available, those living on less than a dollar a day had to choose between buying food or soap. People were suffering from illness simply because they couldn’t wash their hands.”

Unfortunately, the project can’t accept small-scale soap donations. But to learn about other ways to get involved, visit the Global Soap Project’s website.

Related articles

• Recycled hotel soap saves children's lives (cnn.com)
• Recycled Hotel Soaps (cleanandgreenproductssite.wordpress.com)

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