The benefits and possible harm of glycerin for the face. Composition and components, various recipes for skin products Glycerin is a viscous, sweet-tasting liquid, devoid of color and odor, the simplest trihydric alcohol. This chemical has long been renowned for its effective effect on the skin, moisturizing, rejuvenating it, and promoting better absorption of nutrients.
The benefits of glycerin for the face
A well-groomed face is the dream of many women. For a long time, experts have been looking for effective products that can ensure the health and preservation of freshness of the skin. One of such agents is undoubtedly glycerin, whose beneficial properties deserve detailed consideration.
Useful properties of glycerin:
- Moisturizes the skin … Glycerin perfectly absorbs moisture from the air, attracting it to the skin.
- Smoothes wrinkles … Regular use of glycerin helps against dryness and dehydration, and since it fills in small wrinkles with moisture, it contributes to their visual reduction and smoother dermis.
- Softens and whitens … A significant number of soaps contain glycerin. It increases its detergency and also helps to soften and whiten the skin after washing.
- Treats skin diseases … Glycerin is an effective antiseptic, promotes wound healing and prevents infection.
- Unclogs pores … Thanks to glycerin, metabolic processes are intensified, which contributes to the elimination of toxins, dirt and fat from the pores.
- Protects the skin … Moisturizing the skin and filling fine wrinkles with moisture, glycerin creates protection for its upper layer against microbes and all kinds of impurities.
Thanks to glycerin, moisturizers and nutrients are able to reach the deep layers of excessively dry skin. It is often viewed as a panacea for wrinkles and unwanted aging, because under its influence the face is noticeably lifted, brightened and smoothed.
The harm of glycerin to the face
Possessing a rich list of medicinal properties, glycerin for the face is a fairly specific chemical agent that, if used improperly, can cause harm.
The harm that glycerin can cause:
- Draws out moisture … In the cosmetics used, glycerin must be added in certain proportions, if not observed, it is able to extract moisture from the skin itself, drying it out. It is also important to carry out procedures in conditions of sufficient humidity to avoid this effect.
- Aggravates skin problems … Despite its effectiveness in the fight against skin diseases, glycerin can aggravate the condition of the hypersensitive and inflamed dermis and cause the formation of comedones.
- Gives a sticky feeling … Before going outside, glycerin should be used with restraint, since the stickiness of the skin provoked by it contributes to the contamination of the pores with dust and significantly impairs the appearance.
- Not compatible with silicone … Glycerin and silicone are an undesirable combination that can cause burning, flaking, and itching.
- Excessively brightens the skin … If a cosmetic product (for example, soap) contains a high concentration of glycerin, then this promotes intensive leaching of melanin (a natural dark pigment) and lightens the skin.
- May cause allergies … A similar disadvantage is typical for many cosmetic products. Before applying glycerin, check the skin for sensitivity, so as not to experience swelling and burning afterwards.
Even experts argue about whether glycerin is useful or harmful. Any chemical can have an unpredictable effect on the skin, therefore it is always important to consider contraindications and risks from possible use. It is recommended to use a quality drug purchased from a pharmacy with a valid expiration date.
Even in a diluted form, glycerin should be used only in conditions of indoor humidity above 60%. It is used with caution during the heating season, when the air in the premises is excessively dried. The percentage of this chemical in the cosmetic composition should not exceed 5-7%.
Composition and components of glycerin
Glycerin is a trihydric alcohol. Its formula is C3H5(OH)3… In liquid form, it is viscous, transparent and very hygroscopic. Mixes with water in arbitrary proportions, mixes with ethanol. It is almost insoluble in ether and fatty oils. The sweet taste of the substance determined its name (translated from the ancient Greek "glycos" means "sweet").
Chemical elements in a glycerin molecule are contained in the following percentage:
- Oxygen - 52, 119%;
- Carbon - 39, 125%;
- Hydrogen - 8, 756%.
At home, the skin can get the necessary hydration by using glycerin diluted with water. It is preferable to take thoroughly purified water. Also, glycerin is well mixed with other active substances that can have a very useful and even healing effect.
How to apply glycerin to the face
Glycerin is an important component of numerous cosmetics and is also used in medicine. It is also suitable for creating preparations for the skin in ordinary home conditions, since high-quality liquid glycerin is available for purchase in almost any pharmacy.
Glycerin face masks
Noticing the imperfections and imperfections of the facial skin, women intensify their care. There is not always enough money and time to visit expensive salons and take advantage of complex procedures. Do-it-yourself masks are a very effective solution to many problems.
Recipes for face masks with glycerin:
- Nutritious … Prepare a mixture of 25 g of glycerin and 25 g of coconut oil (you can also use olive or jojoba oil), which is used overnight. This composition does not require rinsing.
- For oily skin … Take 10 g of glycerin and liquid natural honey, as well as one protein of a fresh homemade egg. The components are mixed and left on the face for 20 minutes. Then they are washed off with warm water.
- Refreshing … Thoroughly mix 10 g of glycerin, 1 chicken egg, a glass of heavy cream, half a glass of vodka, the juice of one lemon. The composition is applied for 20 minutes. Remove with a cotton pad with warm water.
- Moisturizing … The following components are mixed (each is taken in the amount of 1 teaspoon): liquid glycerin, water and natural honey. Oatmeal flour (1 teaspoon) is added to this composition. For 15 minutes, evenly cover the face with the resulting mixture. Wash off with boiled water, preferably at room temperature.
- For dry skin … Glycerin (10 g) and water (5 g) are added to the thoroughly beaten yolk until a homogeneous composition is obtained. The product is applied to absorb for 20 minutes. Remove with cool water.
- For mature skin … Recommended liquid ingredients (1 tablespoon each): glycerin, purified water, olive oil, fat milk. You will also need 1 egg yolk and 1 raw potato. Mashed potatoes, cooked in a peel and then peeled, are added with yolk and milk. Glycerin, oil and water are added to the resulting mixture. This mask is applied for about 20 minutes, later washed off with water at room temperature.
- From wrinkles … 25 g of fresh aloe juice is combined with 25 g of liquid glycerin. This composition is applied abundantly for 20 minutes. Cleanse the skin with warm boiled water.
- For sagging skin … You will need glycerin (10 g), high-quality butter (5 g), liquid honey (10 g), 1 egg yolk, chamomile flowers (10 g), water (200 ml). Brew the chamomile with boiling water and leave on extremely low heat for 10 minutes. Filter the cooled infusion. Next, beat the egg yolk with high-quality butter and natural honey, add glycerin and the resulting chamomile broth (10 g). The mask is advised to be applied for 15 minutes. Rinse off gently with cool water.
- Whitening … 10 g of glycerin, 100 g of liquid honey, juice of 1 lemon are whipped into a homogeneous mass. Then a gauze napkin with holes for the eyes, mouth and nose is taken, moistened in the resulting composition and applied to the prepared face. After 15 minutes, the napkin is replaced with a similar one and left for the same time. Then you need to wash with warm water. The recommended course is 20 procedures. It is advisable to apply such a mask after 3-4 days.
With regular use of masks with glycerin, the effect of smoothing wrinkles, their visual disappearance is achieved, and the skin surface is reliably protected from the pathogenic effects of various microbes and impurities.
Face cream with glycerin and vitamin E
An important advantage of glycerin is hygroscopicity, which allows it to successfully absorb moisture from the air. This property makes the drug an important component of moisturizing creams. In conditions of sufficient humidity, glycerin extracts water from the air, creating an appropriate film on the face and leaving the skin extremely velvety and surprisingly soft. These wonderful properties can be complemented in the cream by the wonderful properties of vitamin E, which is able to slow down aging, prevent the appearance of age-related pigmentation.
Recipes for face creams with glycerin and vitamin E:
- For combination skin … You should mix 10 g of glycerin, 20 g of water with 3 drops of pharmacy vitamin E. Rub in the composition for early absorption shortly before bedtime. Recommended for use twice a week.
- For the area around the eyes … For 30 ml of glycerin, take the contents of 10 vitamin capsules, mixing everything thoroughly. Then 10 g of castor and camphor oil are added to the mixture. Refreshes the skin, smoothes wrinkles.
- For aging skin … Vitamin E, contained in 10 capsules, and 10 g of apricot kernel oil are added to 25 g of liquid glycerin. It is recommended to use courses in the summer until a noticeable result is achieved.
Experts note that glycerin for the face is much more beneficial if you consume enough water. Do not forget about the correct drinking regime, and skin hydration will be effective and optimal.
The use of glycerin for the face in scrubs
In order for the skin to have a blooming appearance, it is necessary to approach the care in a comprehensive manner, which is why, in addition to nutrition and hydration, it is very important to cleanse it of dead cells in time using the wonderful peeling capabilities.
Recipes for peeling formulations with glycerin:
- With sugar … Mix 25 g of fine cane sugar and 15 g of aspirin powder, add 5 drops of glycerin and jojoba oil each. Leave the product on the face for 15 minutes, then gently massage the skin and wash off with lukewarm water.
- With almonds … Two almonds are soaked in water overnight, and after grinding in a coffee grinder, they are mixed with 10 drops of glycerin. The composition is gently massaged into the face, and after drying, the product is removed with warm water.
- With lemon juice … Take 25 g of lemon juice and castor oil, mix by adding 10 drops of glycerin. The resulting product is rubbed into the skin, leaving overnight. In the morning, remove the remnants with a damp cloth.
Self-peeling should be treated with full responsibility. It is important that the skin is not damaged by inflammation, skin diseases, wounds, cracks. In such cases, you should heed the medical advice on how to cleanse it.
Glycerin lotion for facial skin
Lotions differ from masks and creams in lower viscosity, being water-alcohol solutions of various active substances used for skin hygiene. These cosmetics are also quite suitable for successful self-preparation.
Liquid Glycerin Lotion Recipes:
- Citric … In equal amounts, take glycerin and lemon juice, adding a little water. Daily rubbing relieves the skin of untidy blackheads, whitens the face.
- Mint … Half a glass of dried peppermint is poured to the top with boiling water, covered with a lid, then wrapped in a towel. Insist for about a day, filter. In the resulting composition add 25 g of liquid glycerin. This tool is used to wipe the skin in the morning and before bedtime.
- Chamomile … Chamomile flowers (25 g) are poured with boiling water (200 ml), after 8-10 hours of infusion, they are filtered. Then mixed with 70 g of vodka, adding glycerin (25 g). The resulting lotion is suitable for problematic and oily skin.
High-quality glycerin purchased at the pharmacy will be simply irreplaceable for the preparation of quite affordable cosmetic products that delight with their natural ingredients.
How to use glycerin for face - watch the video:
Glycerin is a proven drug that is an important ingredient in many cosmetics, often serving as their base. By attracting moisture to the skin, glycerin helps nourish, revitalize, soften, relieve dehydration and dryness. Healthy, elastic and soft skin is a guaranteed effect provided by the rational use of glycerin.