Glycerin – an important component, which is part of the vast majority of cosmetics. In tandem with water, it provides a good moisturizing of the skin. But in the network you can find a lot of misconceptions about glycerine. He is accused of drawing moisture from the skin and withering it.
It gets to the manufacturers of cosmetics – they allegedly often use low-grade synthetic glycerin, which negatively affects the skin condition. And how things really are? Is the glycerin used in cosmetics so harmful, as they say?
Among fans of natural cosmetics, rumors are circulating that glycerin and organic are not compatible. The information given in the article will reveal the truth about the famous humidifier and refute common misconceptions.
Myths and truth about glycerin:
| Myth | Disclaimer |
| Glycerin draws moisture from the skin, thereby dehydrating it | In dilute form, the substance is a good moisturizer. It’s all about the ability of glycerin to attract moisture and form on the surface of the epidermis the thinnest film that saves water. Dehydration occurs only if the humidifier is used in its pure form. But this substance without dilution with water in cosmetology is not applied. |
| Glycerin belongs to the category of cheap moisturizing substances, and cheap – it means bad | The substance is used for various purposes and has a different degree of purification. Glycerin, derived from natural ingredients (for example, from the best quality vegetable oil) and passed through all stages of purification, has no harmful impurities and only benefits the skin. |
| At low humidity, glycerol begins to absorb moisture from the layers of the epidermis | The main task of the humidifier is to penetrate the inside of the skin and keep moisture in its layers. Once in the deep layers, the molecules of the substance structure the extracellular fluid, thereby protecting the cells from negative osmotic pressure. Low humidity of the environment can dry only 2-3 layers of horny cells, while the rest remain hydrated.Therefore, neither glycerin nor the percentage of air humidity on the water balance of the skin in any way affect. |
Numerous laboratory studies have proved that the famous moisturizer used in cosmetics has a beneficial effect on the skin condition. There are scientific works on the rapid regeneration of the affected skin with a mixture of water and glycerin in combination with other care and moisturizing components.
Useful properties of glycerol
- Hygroscopicity. Molecules of matter absorb and accumulate moisture. Due to their small size, they penetrate deeply into the skin and promote the saturation of all its layers with water;
- An important component of the epidermis. It’s unlikely that opponents of glycerin know that the substance is produced by the cells of the human body. Glycerin is an active participant in the internal system of water circulation in cell membranes. If, for some reason, the production of the substance by the body has decreased, then the cosmetic with its content will help fill the missing moisture;
- Protective function. Due to its ability to fill small wrinkles and microcracks with moisture, the substance prevents dust and microorganisms from entering the upper skin layers, thereby protecting the epidermis from inflammation and irritation. Also glycerol-containing products are endowed with the ability to protect the skin from ingress of irritating substances (for example, sodium lauryl sulfate).
Harmful properties of glycerin
Harm to the skin can only “pure” glycerin, that is undiluted by water. Dangerous and high concentration of the substance in the cosmetic agent. Long-term exposure to such a moisturizer leads to the formation of acne, darkening and excessive dryness of the skin.
Although the harm of glycerin for the face is not proven, for those who are in doubt, it can be advised to use products with a plant moisturizer. In organic glycerin there are no harmful impurities, so it is much easier to clean it. In the synthesized substance obtained by laboratory, the probability of containing harmful components is significantly increased.
Concentration of cosmetic glycerin in moisturizers
Moisturizing creams and lotions contain up to 65-80% water. This volume accounts for up to 15% of glycerin, as an active moisture-saving component. If the concentration of the substance is much higher than the permissible norm, then after application of the agent on the skin a non-drying film forms. The agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services in its normative documents specifies the allowable content of this substance as a moisturizing ingredient, from 20 to 45%.
But the problem is that the amount of glycerin can not be determined, since its percentage does not appear on the product packaging. The only way out is to acquire a remedy, where the humidifier is not at the head of the list, but near the end. Ingredients in the composition are usually indicated in descending order, so you are so insured from surplus substances in the selected product.
Facts in favor of glycerol
Numerous scientific studies confirm that glycerin in an acceptable concentration is useful for the skin, as it increases its elasticity and removes dryness. There are cases when glycerin, which is part of the face cream, promoted the rapid restoration of the epidermis, damaged by surface-active substances, dermatitis and psoriasis.
One of the studies carried out in practice has proved that glycerin plays an important physiological role in the transport of water and is one of the primary factors of moisture retention in the stratum corneum. The experiments showed that even with a relative humidity of no more than 35%, a sample of the epidermis treated with a moisturizer cream contained much more moisture than that impregnated with ordinary water.
