1. As a moisturiser
Glycerin is one of the most effective moisturisers as it helps your skin absorb moisture from the air. The clear liquid acts as a humectant (a substance that retains or preserves moisture) that stops the water in your skin from getting evaporated. Regular application of a glycerin moisturiser will always keep your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
Step 1. Make a glycerin moisturiser for yourself at home by adding two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice to 250 ml of glycerin.
Step 2. Apply this mixture to your face every night before retiring to bed so that you get dewy fresh skin in the morning.
Here’s another home remedy involving glycerin
Step 1. Mix about half a cup of water to one teaspoon of vegetable glycerin.
Step 2. Add about one teaspoon cold-pressed vegetable oil like sesame, almond or apricot to this.
Step 3. You could add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice to get aromatherapy benefits.
Step 4. Cool the mixture in a refrigerator and apply it on your face with a cotton pad.
Alternatively, if the idea of slathering your face with glycerin before you go to bed does not appeal to you, you could also apply it pre-bath and get results that are just as stunning.
Step1. Mix Vitamin E oil, Vaseline and glycerin in equal parts and apply on your face before you take a shower. You will see the difference in just a few days. This mixture is a life-saver in the winter months when our skin tends to become very dry and scaly.
2. Anti-ageing treatment
Have you looked into the mirror closely recently and been shaken by the first appearances of fine lines and wrinkles? Well that is a natural process of ageing that you have to take in your stride. Age also brings about other skin conditions like dull, irritated, rough skin that lacks moisture. Well, there’s no need to panic just yet. Start using glycerin and you’ll find the fine lines reducing over time because it moisturises your skin and improves elasticity by filling in the tiny cracks in your skin. In fact, this is why glycerin has been used as a popular anti-ageing treatment over the years. Instead of applying plain glycerin, you will double the anti-ageing benefits by applying this mixture instead.
Step 1. Beat an egg white till it is frothy.
Step 2. After that, mix in a teaspoon each of honey and glycerin.
Step 3. Slather it on your face using upward, circular strokes.
Step 4. Let it rest and wash off after 20 minutes.
3. Acne treatment
Anybody who has ever suffered from acne will know what a nightmare it can be with many of the regular over-the-counter applications often failing to work. If you are one of those persons who is looking for a solution to her acne woes, then you can add glycerin to your beauty arsenal. Glycerin has been shown to reduce the incidence of acne. Apply this paste to your face daily and you will soon see the results.
Step 1. Mix a tablespoon of glycerin, half a tablespoon of borax powder that is easily available at a chemist, and a little camphor with a glass of distilled water.
Step 2. Once a smooth paste has been made, apply it on your face and allow it to dry.
Step 3. Wash it off with ice-cold water to remove the residue and close the pores of your skin.
4. Blackhead removal
There’s nothing that looks as unsightly as blackheads. And sometimes, no amount of facials and OTC treatments can get rid of the ugly black dots. Well, help is at hand because glycerin is one of those wonder products that have an effect on blackheads as well. Here’s a homemade blackhead removal treatment that actually works.
Step 1. Take a tablespoon of multani mitti or Fuller’s earth, four tablespoons of coarsely ground almond powder and two teaspoons of glycerin.
Step 2. Mix it all together, apply a thin layer on the affected region and let it dry.
Step 3. Wash off and see how the blackheads do a disappearing act.
5. Fights skin diseases
Glycerin has a therapeutic effect on skin diseases like psoriasis. Research published in the December 2003 issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that glycerin helps skin cells mature according to their regular schedule. This is crucial because in psoriasis, skin cells start shedding before they reach full maturity, thereby causing thick, scaly skin. When you apply glycerin, this allows the cells to mature fully and halts the abnormal shedding. This property of glycerin also helps in the healing of wounds. Glycerin helps your skin heal and helps fight fungal infections like eczema as well by helping in the process of skin repair and regeneration.
Step 1. Apply a mask made with about 4 teaspoons of multani mitti and about a teaspoon or so of glycerin.
Step 2. Add a little water to make a smooth paste.
Step 3. Apply this on your face using your fingers in circular motions avoiding the mouth and eye areas.
Step 4. Let it dry and then wash off with plain water.
6. Reduces blemishes and marks
Blemishes, marks and age spots are hard to get rid of. However, regular use of glycerin has been shown to help these marks fade with time. Glycerin also keeps the skin hydrated, has plenty of antibacterial properties and maintains the pH levels of the skin.
Step 1. Mix some glycerin with petroleum jelly and apply it to your skin.
Step 2. Wipe it off with a damp cotton pad after a bit.
7. Lip saviour
Cracked and chapped lips are every woman’s bane, especially in the colder months that can be particularly harsh. While most of us use commercially available and chemical-laden lip balms to get rid of this problem, using the milder non-toxic glycerin is an option that is just as effective and far gentler on your skin.
Step 1. Swipe a few drop of glycerin and honey across your lips and painful, flaky puckers will be a thing of the past.
Step 2. Warning: the sweet taste of honey and glycerin might tempt you to lick it, but that will only make the condition worse. Instead, wait for it to dry and then wipe it off with a damp ball of cotton. Do this every night so that your pucker stays kissable!
8. Dry skin solution
Tired of buying expensive lotions and body butters that are inadequate to treat your dry skin condition? Well, this time, ditch those fancy beauty potions and try the humble glycerin instead that will smoothen your skin, heal your cracked heels and soothe the dry skin on your body.
Step 1. Dilute a little glycerin with water and massage your hands and feet and limbs with this every day.
Glycerin also has the ability to exfoliate dead cells and show up the layer of soft, new skin underneath. Make this exfoliating scrub at home.
Step 1. by mixing equal parts of sugar and glycerin and adding some aloe to it.
Step 2. Massage your face with this so that the dead skin flakes off and your new skin gets moisturised thoroughly as well.
9. Useful for burns injuries
Burns can be extremely painful and can turn serious if not treated in time. While you should immediately see a doctor for serious burn injuries, you can safely try glycerin for burns that can be treated at home. Unlike medicated ointments, glycerin is mild and will soothe the other accompanying symptoms of burns like itching and burning. It’s super easy to apply.
Step 1. Just apply a diluted layer on the affected area
Step 2. Wash off and repeat many times till the area is healed.
10. As a de-tan solution
You can actually use glycerin as a mild sunscreen because it acts as a barrier against the harmful rays of the sun and environmental pollutants while sealing in the moisture. And if you have already got tanned, glycerin can help you get back to your original complexion by removing the dirt and impurities clogged in your pores and lightening your complexion. Try this easy-peasy homemade mask to brighten up your skin tone in a jiffy.
Step 1. Just grab an overripe banana, mash it up nicely and add a tablespoon of glycerin to it.
Step 2. Mix it all up till it’s a nice gloopy paste.
Step 3. Slather it on liberally on your face and leave it on like a mask for about 10-15 minutes.
Step 4. Wash it off and find your face all glowing and bright.
