What Is Glycerin & Why It Is So Important?

The biggest difference between commercial soap and handmade soap is glycerin. Glycerin is a clear liquid that absorbs water from the air and is a key factor in keeping skin soft and healthy. Glycerin is very good for sensitive and delicate skin especially for children. Glycerin is a component of fat or oil. It is a natural by product of the soap making process. Glycerin is a humectants and emollient. It attracts moisture to your skin. Because it is a high quality by-product in the soap making process, most commercial soap manufacturers often extract the glycerin and sell it as a by-product to be used in higher priced beauty products like lotions and skin creams. It also has many other valuable, industrial uses which are why commercial soap manufacturers remove the glycerin from their soaps and sell it separately. Many cleaning agents today are technically not soaps, but detergents, which are less expensive and easier to manufacture.