Why Do We Keep Glycerine In Our Natural Skincare Products?

The general rule of thumb when it comes to cosmetics and skincare products is that you should avoid products that have too many ingredients and use your best judgment when it comes to common chemical compounds.

When you explore our natural skin soap range, we make it clear that we avoid any harmful chemicals generally found in more mass-produced synthetic soap ranges.

These include parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate, petroleum jelly and any artificial colours and preservatives.

One ingredient that we use that is commonly found in mass-produced soaps, however, is glycerine, but that is because it is a safe, effective and naturally derived ingredient that is essential to keep skin hydrated.

Also known as glycerol, glycerine is a sugar alcohol used as a humectant or moisturising agent that helps to keep the skin moist by drawing moisture to the surface. 

It has been used to create soap for nearly 200 years, and whilst there are ways to produce it synthetically, the vast majority of glycerine is produced naturally, typically through the fermentation of sugars or the production of soap itself.

In traditional saponification, oils or fats are mixed with lye to create soap and glycerol, and we retain glycerol in our soap as a natural component of soapmaking and to provide the most effective skincare we can from our soap bars.

In our soaps, it helps to boost hydration by copying how the skin naturally stays moisturised, it protects the skin barrier without clogging pores and causing issues with oily skin, and it can be used with a wide range of other ingredients and essential oils without causing irritation.

The primary objection to so many of the chemicals found in industrial soaps is that they hurt the environment, prioritise shelf stability over skin health and are used to create eye-catching looks without thinking of any potential consequences.

Glycerine does not have any of these issues, is ethically and naturally derived, and is essential for keeping skin nourished.