What is Glycerin?

Glycerin (also known as Glycerine or Glycerol), in its purest form, is a colorless, odorless, and syrupy liquid. It is sweet tasting and non-toxic. Glycerin is an ingredient widely used in food products, cosmetics, baby products, oral hygiene products, and pharmaceutical drugs.

Glycerin is found naturally in both plant and animal lipids (fats) known as triglycerides. In fact, the name "triglycerides" describes its make-up: Three (tri) chains of fatty acid attached to glyceride. Hydrolysis or transesterification is used to separate the fatty acid from the glyceride by heating the fats to a high temperature. The fatty acids float to the top of the tank and the glyceride water sinks to the bottom. The impurities and water are removed from the glyceride water, resulting in glycerin.

Not all glycerin is natural. A synthetic form of glycerin is derived from propylene (also known as propene), which is a flammable, gaseous hydrocarbon obtained from petroleum. Some sources of synthetic glycerin can be dangerous to your health, so it's generally not preferred for cosmetic purposes. However, when selecting a skin care product, be sure to question the source of its glycerin.

How Glycerin Helps Your Skin

Glycerin has been used in skin moisturizing products for many years. Many cosmetic formulators use 1-3% glycerin to prevent their products from drying out over time. These formulators add glycerin to simply improve product integrity with little thought on the benefits it can offer the skin. However, clinical studies show that higher percentages of glycerin can be very beneficial to your skin. Here are just a few of the many ways that glycerin can help your skin.

• Excellent for dry skin:  When glycerin is applied to the skin, it forms a light, protective layer, sealing in the skin's natural oils and moisture.
• Brings moisture into the Skin:  Glycerin is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. This helps to hydrate skin and help it hold on to moisture.
• Makes skin look & feel healthier:  By moisturizing your skin, glycerin improves the tone and health of your skin. Moisturized skin can also prevent the onset of unsightly skin features, such as wrinkles and stretch marks. Glycerin can therefore help to keep premature aging signs at bay.
• Soothes the skin:  Glycerin soothes dry skin and protects it from skin irritants.
• Enhances the absorption of other skin care ingredients:  When combined with other beneficial ingredients, such as Allantoin and Dimethicone, glycerin allows skin to absorb the ingredients into its uppermost layers.
• Safe for all skin types:  The pH level of glycerin closely matches that of skin. This make glycerin gentle and safe for all skin types.
• Promotes normal skin cell maturation:   With some skin disorders, such as psoriasis, skin cells shed too quickly, before they properly mature, causing thickened, scaly skin. Glycerin can interrupt this abnormal process, and allows the cells to reach full maturation before shedding. Glycerin can also soothe the dryness and itching related to eczema.

What is Glycerin Cream?

Glycerin cream (or glycerin skin cream) is a skin moisterizer with a high glycerin content (greater than 25%). Studies show that glycerin creams heal dry skin faster and give greater relief of dryness than low glycerin moisterizers (glycerin content of less than 10%). Glysolid is a glycerin cream. It combines a high glycerin content with other beneficial ingredients, such as Allantoin and Dimethicone.

Pure Glycerin vs. Glycerin Cream: Which is better for dry skin?

Although glycerin is good for the skin, in its purest form it can be a bit harsh and may cause blistering. The best way to apply glycerin to your skin is by using a high glycerin cream, one that combines a high glycerin content with other beneficial ingredients. In a study conducted by Dr. Donald S. Orth et al¹, different types of moisterizers were tested, including 2 high glycerin products (25% and 40%) and pure glycerin, for a period of 5 days. At the end of the study, the skin of patients was examined under a microscope. Skin using pure glycerin showed no improvement. In fact, there was no visible difference from untreated skin. However, skin treated with the two high-glycerin creams showed significant improvements, such as expansion of the cells (corneocytes) and the spaces between these cells in the outer layer of the skin (statum corneum). This showed that glycerin creams deliver glycerin directly into the stratum corneum, improving the skin's moisture barrier and increasing its own ability to retain moisture. Read more about this study

Glycerin Cream with a Trusted Formulation

If you're suffering with dry skin, a glycerin cream, one with a high glycerin content, should be part of your skin care routine. There are many glycerin creams to choose from. Some of them are even imitations and knockoffs of Glysolid. So, be choosy when selecting what you put on your skin. Glysolid Glycerin Skin Cream has been a trusted and reliable skin care product over 70 years. It is made in Germany under strict standards of quality, reliability and sustainability. Glysolid is carefully formulated to work for women and men of all ages and skin types, including those with sensitive skin.
Where to Buy Glysolid.

Source
¹ Orth, Donald S. and Yohini Appa. "Glycerine: A Natural Ingredient for Moisturizing Skin". Dry skin and moisturizers; Chemistry and function. 2000. Pages 213-227. CRC Press LLC.