Glycerin is a trihydroxy sugar alcohol found in the natural fats of vegetables and animals. Physically, it’s a clear, transparent liquid with a high viscosity and a sweet taste. It’s highly soluble in both water and alcohol, and is also a great solvent for other materials, which makes it useful for the preparation of tinctures and foods.
The pure form of glycerin is also known as glycerol. When applied topically, pure glycerin can actually dehydrate the deeper layers of the skin by pulling up moisture from your dermis. This reaction is caused by the hygroscopic properties of glycerin, which allow it to absorb moisture from other sources. In order to utilize its moisturizing benefits without any drawbacks, glycerin is often combined with other ingredients instead of being used in pure form.
Aside from its moisturizing properties, glycerin is also believed to be helpful in alleviating additional health problems, including skin irritations and constipation. It’s also a valuable ingredient in numerous pharmaceutical and food preparations, since it can be used as an emulsifier, sweetener and levigating agent.
Glycerin Can Be Obtained From Different Sources. It is usually derived from natural sources, such as:
Animal fats — Glycerin can be obtained by mixing animals fats with lye. This process breaks down the triglyceride molecule, which contains the fatty acid chains and glycerol. It’s a procedure that’s commonly used when making soaps and candles, which is why glycerin is known as the byproduct of these materials.
Vegetables — If you’re looking for an alternative to animal-based glycerin, you may opt to purchase one that’s made of vegetable fats, such as those that come from palm oil or coconut oil. The process of extracting glycerol from vegetable fat is relatively similar to the process done in animal fats.
Keep in mind, though, that there’s also a synthetic form of glycerin, which is a byproduct of petroleum. If you’re planning to buy glycerin, make sure that you get it from a trusted brand that uses all-natural materials.
Here Are the Valuable Uses of Glycerin for Your Health:
There is no doubt that glycerin is one of the most useful naturally occurring compounds. Its ability to help lock in moisture in the skin remains one of its most desirable benefits, which is why it’s commonly used in soaps, toothpastes, lotions, creams and other skincare products.
When used in the right climate, glycerin may also help improve dry hair by drawing in moisture from the air into your hair. Aside from these, glycerin may be used for medicinal applications, including:
Minor skin irritations — Glycerin may help relieve minor skin problems, such as diaper rash, itching and skin burns, with its anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Excessive intracranial pressure — Some physicians administer glycerol intravenously to help reduce intracranial pressure, which may be caused by conditions like stroke, meningitis and encephalitis, among others.
Constipation — Glycerin may help relieve occasional constipation, since it draws water into the colon and rectum when used as a suppository.
Dehydration — Glycerin may help the body rehydrate during bouts of diarrhea and vomiting.
Eye pressure — According to the British Journal of Ophthalmology, oral glycerin supplements may help reduce excessive eye pressure caused by eye disorders such as glaucoma.
In addition to the uses mentioned above, some people also take an animal or vegetable-derived glycerin supplement to aid weight loss and improve athletic performance. However, further research is still needed to confirm whether glycerin can really deliver these benefits.
A Few Important Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Glycerin:
Glycerin is an ingredient that’s often derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), such as soybeans, canola and cottonseed. Buying glycerin that’s manufactured from these GMO crops not only contributes to environmental destruction, but also supports the large biotech companies that supply the population with unhealthy and hazardous food products.
With that in mind, make sure that you buy glycerin from certified non-GMO sources. You may also opt to make your own glycerin to guarantee that it’s completely organic. You can use plants that contain healthy fats, such as coconut oil, palm oil or olive oil.32,33
