Profile: Vegetable Glycerin
Details
Properties
Softening: Enhancing the appearance of the skin by providing comfort and softness through maintaining a constant level of hydration;
Anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant: Alleviate inflamed skin and soothe irritations by inhibiting the expression level of certain inflammatory cytokines, reducing the number of immune cells at the site of irritation, and decreasing the speed of blood flow and the diameter of micro-vessels;
Antibacterial, virucidal: Slowing down the growth, and reducing the population of bacteria and viruses;
Healing: Speeding up the healing process of skin wounds by enhancing the proliferation of epidermal cells;
Hydrating: Maintaining skin hydration and preventing dehydration by attracting and retaining moisture from the surrounding air and the dermis, attributed to its chemical structure rich in hydrophilic hydroxyl groups, and by inhibiting the crystallisation into solid form of the lipids in the stratum corneum;
Keratolytic: Promotes the breakdown of corneodesmosomes, which are responsible for the cohesion of corneocytes, by altering the activity of desquamating enzymes;
Plasticising: Halting water loss by strengthening the skin's barrier function through the formation of a "pseudo-occlusive" film on the epidermis;
"Photoprotective": Potentially protecting the skin against X-rays and UV light at 365 nm.
Applications
Facial Care (face creams, serums, masks, makeup removal lotions, lip balms, facial scrubs, hydrating mists, shaving foams, eye contour creams);
Body Care (body creams, moisturising lotions, shower gels, exfoliating gels, nourishing hand balms, after-sun lotions);
Haircare (shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, moisturising hair lotions, styling gels);
Hygiene (hand sanitisers, toothpastes);
Makeups (lipsticks, lip glosses, blushes).
Method of Preservation
Store at room temperature (minimum 20°C and maximum 60°C), shielded from light, but most importantly, protected from moisture.
Contraindications, Usage Precautions
Glycerin is among the most tolerated active ingredients. It is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Indeed, it is present in many hypoallergenic products. Its use is permitted in babies under 3 years old, children under 6 years old, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.
However, glycerine should be used diluted on the skin, as there is a risk of causing irritations or mild allergies. An overdose of glycerine (beyond 10%) could have a drying effect on the skin.
In a cream, a lotion, a cleansing gel, a lip balm: 2 to 5% maximum in the formulation;
In a shower gel and a shampoo: 2 to 10% maximum in the formulation.
