What Is Glycerin?
Glycerin, which is also listed on ingredient labels as glycerine and glycerol, is a non-toxic, odorless, and colorless liquid. It is used as an ingredient in a variety of things, including personal care products such as toothpaste and soap. Food products and pharmaceuticals also contain the commonly used ingredients. Glycerin is a humectant, which means it works to retain or preserve moisture either in a product itself or in your skin and hair.
Where Does Glycerin Come From?
Glycerin found in natural personal care products is derived from several types of plants-or more specifically, plant oils. These plant oils can include canola, coconut, corn, palm, and soybean. Glycerin may be considered naturally derived when it is obtained from these plant sources.
Alternately, in some conventional products, glycerin can come from petroleum sources. In that case, the glycerin is typically created as a by-product in the production of biodiesel.
What benefits does glycerin soap offer?
Unlike many OTC soaps, pure glycerin soap is all-natural. It doesn't contain alcohol, fragrances, or other chemical-based ingredients that could irritate your skin.
This makes glycerin soap vegan-friendly and a great option for people with sensitive skin.
Your skin's natural oils are often stripped during the bathing process, whether from hot water or harsh products. Glycerin can help lock in your skin's natural moisture and prevent over-drying.
This may be especially beneficial if you experience drying conditions like:
- acne
- dermatitis (eczema)
- dry skin
- psoriasis
- rosacea
At the same time, glycerin is nongreasy. This means it's a good choice for anyone with oily or combination skin.
How to Make "Melt and Pour" Homemade Glycerin Soaps
Materials
- 2lbs clear glycerin melt and pour soap base
- Liquid soap colors
- Essential oils for scent (optional) -Lemon, lavender, or mint would be great!
- Pack of 3, 4oz soap molds
- Spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol
Directions
- With a knife, cut a 4oz piece of soap from the soap base and place it in a glass liquid measuring cup. Microwave for 40 seconds and then stir every additional 10 seconds until fully melted. (Mine melted in 60-80 seconds.)
- Add dye and stir to combine. (Add one drop to make primary-colored soaps – yellow, red, and blue – and two drops to make soaps with secondary colors – green, orange, and purple.)
- Add essential oil and stir. (Optional. Twenty-five drops or 1/4 teaspoon would be a 1% dilution. You can also add less to conserve your oils.)
- Pour into soap mold and spray once or twice with rubbing alcohol to remove bubbles on top.
- Repeat Steps 1-4 to make soaps in your other two soap molds.
- Let your soaps harden. (Mine took about an hour.)
- Loosen around the edges of the soap molds and remove your bars of soap.
- Repeat all of the steps until you're finished making all eight bars of soap.
