Consumer preferences and buying trends are important to personal-care product makers. In a market filled with a vast number of choices, buyers have begun to avoid personal cleansing products containing irritating, damaging chemical additives, marking a genuine change in sentiment. Vegetable glycerin soap has become a significant alternative to standard formulas that often result in redness, dryness, and discomfort.

Glycerin has been used for well over a century. Hospitals rely on it to help burn victims heal more rapidly, and to make suppository use less unpleasant. It has long been a primary component in lotions, shampoos, and many other products. Derived from soybeans, coconut trees and oil palms, it is primarily a mix of fatty acids resembling a clear liquid like corn syrup. It tastes sweet, and is important in some aspects of food manufacturing.

In the cosmetic world, the substance is classified as a humectant, able to draw moisture to the outer layers of skin. This particular strength is useful in making and promoting beauty products for facial use, emphasizing the ingredients that help prevent dryness and discoloration. There are synthetic humectants used in some similar products, but vegetable glycerol is generally considered a natural substance.

Attracting and maintaining moisture not only makes skin look better, but also allows individual cells to mature properly by strengthening the outer membrane. Most commercially manufactured cleansing products have the opposite effect, primarily because they contain detergents derived in part from petroleum products. Some even contain lye in small quantities, requiring an additional lotion to counteract characteristic drying.

In its unadulterated form, the substance is considered to be hypoallergenic. The pervasiveness of environmental chemical toxins makes life complicated for people who live with skin allergies, and the same is true for those who suffer from eczema or psoriasis. Part of the daily routine is avoiding common chemicals that can trigger a flareup, including soap. Alcohol-based hand-cleaners are popular, but can be harsh.

Even some commercially made glycerin soaps contain small amounts of fragrance, potentially setting off reactions in sensitive users. In order to find a product that causes no noticeable discomfort, it may be necessary to sample several brands. Higher glycerol content does not necessarily mean a superior product, but does mean that there will probably be fewer issues surrounding daily use.

Fewer chemical stabilizers used during manufacturing means that individual bars often fade away more quickly than other products. Storage in warm locations is not recommended due to melting, and soap dishes need adequate drainage. Long-term air exposure has the ability to cause shrinkage due to evaporation. Natural glycerin soaps also do not produce as much lather as traditional, detergent-based products.

An increasing number of people have started making their own product at home. The process is detailed on the Internet, listing necessary molds, materials, and even the hazards that should be avoided. People who prefer buying the finished product can opt for either liquid dispenser form or traditional bars, and some are even vegan-certified. Smooth, well-hydrated skin not only looks good, but makes people feel better about themselves.