Glycerin is a popular moisturizing ingredient and appears as a clear, colorless, and odorless liquid. This component is widely used in various cosmetic products. Most women often use glycerin on their own for the face. The harm and benefit of its use is precisely the effect that this ingredient can have on the skin, depending on whether it is used correctly. Therefore, in order to avoid the harmful effects of this component, you need to know everything about the advantages and disadvantages of this product, and also take into account all the rules when applying.
Magic properties
It is known that since ancient times people have used glycerin for facial skin. Can there be any benefit or harm from its use? People started thinking about this only recently. But nevertheless, it is impossible to find almost a single cream that does not contain this component. This ingredient plays an important role in cosmetic products, as it has the following beneficial properties:
- It perfectly moisturizes the skin, as it absorbs the necessary moisture from the air and is also perfectly absorbed.
- If you regularly use glycerin on your face, the harm and benefits it will have on your skin will depend on its type. For example, it perfectly nourishes dry epidermis, making it smooth and elastic. But for those people who have oily skin, it can only do harm.
- This product can fill microwrinkles with moisture, due to which it has a smoothing property.
- Cosmetic products that contain this ingredient can perfectly cope not only with dry skin, but also treat eczema.
- In addition, glycerin can fight acne and cleanse the skin.
Therefore, thanks to such wonderful properties, many use glycerin for the face at home. There are undoubtedly harms and benefits from it. You just need to know some nuances when applying it so as not to harm yourself.
Precautionary measures
Glycerin has almost no contraindications and when applied to the lips does not cause skin irritation, but you should still be careful when using the drug:
- Do a sensitivity test if a mixture of Glycerin with other components is used. Applying a small amount of the mixture behind the ear and waiting 20-30 minutes to evaluate the result will help avoid such annoying troubles as allergic rashes on the lips.
- Do not abuse. This happens when you want to quickly cure your lips and Glycerin is applied at short intervals. But this only leads to increased dryness. This side effect is caused by the fact that Glycerin is able to attract moisture not only from the air, but also from the cells of the epidermis. Frequent application of the drug leads to skin dehydration.
To obtain a therapeutic effect, it is enough to use Glycerin once a day.
Glycerin will help restore elasticity to the lips, relieve sticking and peeling and improve lip color. But if the problem persists, then you should take care of your health. Perhaps the deterioration in the condition of the lips occurred due to endocrine pathologies, diseases of the digestive system or other diseases.
Application
Not everyone knows the fact that this component can moisturize the skin by drawing moisture from the air only under a certain climate in the room. Thus, in order for a positive result to appear from the use of this ingredient, it is necessary that during its use the air humidity in the room should be approximately 50-65%. Only under such conditions can glycerin for the face have a positive effect on the skin. The harm and benefits of its use directly depend on compliance with this factor.
This cosmetic product can be used to care for the entire body. To do this, you need to pour a small bottle of glycerin into a bowl, then add two teaspoons of lime juice to it, mix everything well and pour into a glass container. It is better to apply this composition before bed, rubbing it gently into the skin with your fingers or cotton pads. After use, you will need to wait until the substance is well absorbed.
Is it possible for the night
As a rule, glycerin-based masks have a rather greasy consistency, so they cannot be left on overnight. In the morning your face will be swollen. In addition, the skin may become soaked due to too much moisture attraction.
Only a mask with glycerin diluted with vitamin E is allowed to be left overnight. For everyone else, 30 minutes after application, you need to remove unabsorbed residues with a napkin or towel.
What should and should not be done when using the product?
In addition, you need to know the general rules when using glycerin for facial skin. The benefits and harms of using this component also depend on them:
- Firstly, before using this product, it must always be diluted with filtered or rose water.
- Secondly, it is not recommended to use the substance too often. Just once a day will be enough (preferably in the evening).
- Thirdly, you should not apply this product before going outside. Because it can cause a sticky feeling on the skin and ultimately lead to further contamination with dust.
TOP 15 best recipes with glycerin
As noted above, in cosmetology this alcohol is used in combination with other ingredients, and its amount is strictly dosed in the recipe. For the procedures, pharmaceutical glycerin is used - a colorless, practically odorless substance with a slightly viscous texture.
1. Lifting mask “Gelatin + glycerin”
Glycerin mask for mature skin at home. It has a pronounced tightening effect, deeply moisturizes the skin, and prepares it for other skin care procedures. Algorithm for making a homemade mask:
- Immerse gelatin in water (1:3), leave to thicken;
- Prepared gelatin, heat, dissolve, cool to 30 degrees;
- add an egg yolk and 0.5 teaspoon of glycerin into the gelatin solution;
- apply in a convenient way for 20 minutes;
- Thoroughly rinse off the remaining mask with water.
The lifting effect is felt immediately after the procedure. For additional hydration, add a drop of honey to this composition.
Anti-wrinkle emulsion made from glycerin and algae
The recipe for using glycerin and kelp in combination can effectively resist skin aging. To prepare an effective mask, steam kelp in strong black tea for 30 minutes. Mix the prepared seaweed with egg yolk and glycerin (for a tablespoon of seaweed - a dessert spoon of alcohol). Using a soft wide brush, spread the composition over the skin and leave for 40 minutes. Remove residues with a damp cloth. It is recommended to rinse the skin with dandelion infusion for an additional rejuvenating effect.
3. Glycerin emulsion for acne
Due to its ability to affect the deep layers of the epidermis, glycerin is used in the care of skin with acne lesions. For these purposes, a combination of it with green or black cosmetic clay (5 ml of alcohol per 10 grams of dry powder) is effectively used. It is recommended to apply the prepared mixture only to areas with blackheads. Carry out a cleansing mask regularly, 1-2 times a week, combined with complete skin care.
4. Glycerin mask for dry skin
The composition is fully suitable for deeply moisturizing dry skin, competently and effectively combating characteristic peeling. Recipe:
- glycerin – 5 ml;
- honey – 5 ml;
- oat flakes – 20 grams;
- cream 10% – 10 ml.
The ingredients are mixed in random order. The composition is applied to cleansed skin. The optimal duration of action for a homemade cosmetic product is 20 minutes. After the procedure, the pores are cleaned, the skin is moisturized, and a slight lifting effect is observed.
Cream mask with shea butter
This recipe is convenient because the finished cream can be stored for several weeks and used daily to improve skin health, provide high-quality hydration at night, and combat dull skin color (especially in the off-season). Recipe for glycerin mask with shea butter:
- shea butter – tablespoon;
- pharmaceutical glycerin – ½ tablespoon;
- pharmacy lemon extract - 1/2 teaspoon.
The butter must be melted quickly, avoiding overheating of the composition, then add the remaining ingredients and mix them. The mask does not require rinsing. It is advisable to apply in the evening. It has good moisturizing properties, vitaminizes the skin and saturates it with useful microelements.
Composition with tocopherol
Tocopherol in combination with a glycerin base is excellent for the care of mature skin. This mask allows you to improve your complexion, make it healthier, and give your skin a well-groomed appearance. Tocopherol mask recipe:
- tocopherol - half a tsp;
- parsley (juice) – tsp;
- cream (20%) – tsp;
- pharmaceutical glycerin - tsp..
For a homemade mask, you should use not so much green juice as the parsley itself, chopped to a fine fraction. The composition has a slight whitening effect. After removing the remnants of the mask, it makes sense to use a moisturizing tonic and a suitable cream.
Vitamin mask for enhanced skin nutrition
After illness, stress, or during periods of increased physical and mental stress, the skin of the face requires special care. For these purposes, a recipe based on glycerin, pharmaceutical oils and vitamins is effective. Composition of the vitamin mask:
- chamomile - tsp. flowers;
- liquid glycerin – s.l;
- liquid vitamins (E and A) – 10 drops each;
- monocomponent oils (castor, camphor) – 2 drops each.
Brew the flowers with boiling water and leave for about half an hour. Strain the infusion and add the remaining ingredients. The mask has a light texture; it can be conveniently distributed with a soaked cosmetic wipe or cotton sponge. The vitamin composition is suitable for hands and décolleté.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE_GsafZQcI
8. Exotic mask for the eye area
Glycerin, despite the specifics of its composition, is suitable for delicate care of the skin under the eyes and is fully used to combat expression lines, crow’s feet, excessive dryness in this area, and swelling. An effective homemade mask based on exotic oils includes the following ingredients:
- mango butter – 1.5 tsp;
- glycerin – ½ tsp;
- tamanu oil – 5 drops;
- lavender oil – 2 drops;
- honey – ½ tsp;
- hyaluronic acid (1%) – 5 drops.
Of all the ingredients, you need to additionally prepare mango butter, which has a solid texture. It is melted in a water bath, after which it is ready for use. The composition has a pleasant aroma, is easy to apply to the skin, and does not require rinsing. Suitable for regular use.
9. Potato whitening mask
The mask helps fight hyperpigmentation, reduces the visible appearance of freckles and small rashes. Suitable for caring for problem skin. For the cosmetic product you need to prepare:
- mashed baked potatoes;
- olive oil without spices, cold milk - 20 ml each;
- yolk;
- a solution of glycerin with water (5 ml., in a ratio of 1:1).
The composition is applied to the skin, avoiding the area around the eyes for 20 minutes. It is recommended to use it in sessions once a week for a month, then interrupt the course for 4-5 weeks. Baked potatoes retain more nutrients than boiled ones, which is why they are recommended for cosmetic purposes.
Universal mask with corn flour
Glycerin mask with corn flour is universal, because... can be used not only for the face, but also for the décolleté, and also separately for the eyelids. Allows you to effectively moisturize dry skin, softens it, and saturates it with useful microelements. To make a homemade product, you need to combine the following ingredients:
- corn flour (fine) – tbsp;
- flower honey (liquid) – tbsp;
- glycerin solution - a tablespoon diluted with water (proportions 1:1).
The mask is applied under the eyes or completely on the face for 20 minutes. Wash off with plenty of cool water or chamomile decoction. Due to its fairly dense texture, it is easy to apply to the skin, does not cause discomfort during the procedure, and does not cause addiction. Before applying any homemade mask with honey, it is recommended to conduct a basic test to ensure there is no allergic reaction to this ingredient.
Fruit mask
Any seasonal fresh fruits and berries can be fully used for cosmetic purposes to improve the health of the skin and nourish it. As a “suitable” base, you can use the pulp of strawberries, raspberries, apples, and peaches. In a puree of these ingredients, just add ½ teaspoon of glycerin, mix the mixture thoroughly and apply it evenly to the skin prepared in advance. The duration of the vitamin mask is half an hour. It is recommended to remove residues with purified water. After the procedure, use a nourishing tonic.
12. Aloe mask to cleanse pores
This mask is applied with cotton or fabric pads (napkins). It is a mixture of plant juice and glycerin for the face (no more than a teaspoon). Allows you to thoroughly clean pores, narrow them, and disinfect them. The composition is fully suitable for local application, for example, in the nasolabial triangle. Aloe is one of the ingredients suitable for skin care of any type. The properties of the plant can be used most effectively for young skin prone to rosacea and other typical pore problems.
Oatmeal mask for puffiness
Oatmeal is used in cosmetology as a delicate and effective cleanser. They also help fight swelling. From the flakes for the mask, you need to cook a viscous porridge in water and cool it. Then add glycerin (tsp) and chicken yolk. Distribute the composition evenly in the area under the eyes and over the upper eyelids. The duration of the mask is 30 minutes (under no circumstances leave the glycerin face mask on overnight).
Scrub mask for deep cleansing
The scrubbing procedure removes dead epidermal cells, thereby improving the appearance of the skin and preparing it for subsequent procedures. Scrub mask with glycerin includes:
- glycerin – 1 part;
- sugar – 8 parts;
- lemon juice – 8 parts.
The mask is applied with massage movements immediately after preparation, until the sugar crystals dissolve. For the procedure, you can use cane sugar or classic white sugar. Massage movements improve blood circulation in cells and stimulate recovery processes.
Simple honey mask for hydration
Honey, in combination with glycerin for the face as part of products used at home, perfectly moisturizes the skin, tightens it and at the same time strengthens it, protecting it from premature aging. For the mask, it is enough to use any liquid honey (3-4 tbsp) and ½ teaspoon of glycerin. Honey masks are most effective if applied using a damp, warm compress: a layer of cellophane is placed on top of the mask on the face, then a hot, damp towel. The duration of the mask is no more than 20 minutes. Rinse off residues with plenty of purified water.
Advantage of the product
If all precautions when using glycerin are followed, then no harm can come from it. Since it has a lot of advantages, thanks to which many leading cosmetologists value it and use it in the composition of their creams and lotions.
For example, it can speed up metabolism in the upper layers of the skin, thereby removing all harmful substances and fat. This remedy is also used in the treatment of sore throat and helps people get rid of facial wrinkles.
If you combine glycerin with vinegar, it can get rid of cracks in dry places on the body.
What glycerin is used in cosmetology
The manufacturer usually does not indicate the origin of the glycerin in the cosmetic product. There are two types of glycerin:
- natural, obtained as a by-product from the hydrolysis of vegetable and animal fats;
- synthetic obtained by hydrolysis of trichloropropane.
Both types are identical to each other, they are distinguished only by the area of application. Synthetic glycerin has a high degree of purity, so it is used for the manufacture of drugs and in biotechnology. Crude vegetable glycerin ranges from 40% to 86% purity depending on the grade. It is purified by distillation and used in food and cosmetic production.
Flaws
But there is also an opinion that the use of this product can harm the skin, since it only creates an external effect of moisturizing it. But in fact, it dries out the top layer of the epidermis too much and draws out the last moisture from it. If you look at it, there is undoubtedly a piece of truth in this statement.
It turns out that if you use this product in its pure form, it will be so - it can dry out the skin too much. Under no circumstances should glycerin be used together with silicone, as they form a very dangerous compound.
Another disadvantage of this substance is that with prolonged use, the skin can become a couple of tones lighter. Since glycerin can wash out melanin, it is not recommended to wash your face with soap that contains this ingredient. Also, this product is not the best way to care for a person with inflamed or sensitive skin.
Contraindications
The substance itself is hypoallergenic, so it does not cause a sharp reaction in the body. However, it is worth testing for individual reactions. If burning, peeling, redness and inflammation are observed, then it should not be used.
Side effects include skin depletion and severe lightening, as glycerin leaches pigments from tissues. Therefore, doctors do not recommend using products with this substance for a long time. It is important to take short breaks and carry out glycerin treatment in courses. The most suitable scheme is autumn and winter. The course may consist of 10 - 12 procedures in a couple of days.
It is also undesirable to use it during pregnancy.
When combined with silicone in a cosmetic product, glycerin can aggravate dry skin, lead to the formation of cracks and wrinkles, and flaking. It can also clog pores, causing more breakouts and acne, especially subcutaneous acne.
Therefore, it is important to follow the instructions and not exceed the dosage of the drug, so as not to get unpleasant side effects.
Masks
From all of the above, you can understand that there are many opinions on such a topic as “Glycerin for the face: benefits and harms of use.” Recipes using this ingredient, which will be offered below, have been tested by many women, so they will certainly only bring benefits.
The most popular is the vitamin composition. First, you need to take a twenty-five gram bottle of glycerin and squeeze ten capsules containing vitamin E into it. After this, wash well and apply the resulting composition to all problem areas of the body. After an hour, the mask will need to be wiped off with just a damp cloth. With constant use of this composition, at least for a week, the skin will become smooth and velvety.
There is another proven method when you can use glycerin for the face. The benefits and harms of the mask depend entirely on the exact observance of all proportions. You need to take one teaspoon each of honey and glycerin, and then add fifty milliliters of purified water and stir all the ingredients until a homogeneous mass is obtained. After this, you will need to add another five grams of oatmeal to this composition and mix everything again. Then apply this consistency to your face and wash off after fifteen minutes. This composition is not recommended for use with oily skin types.
How to use glycerin for the face: mask recipes
The scope of use of glycerin in cosmetology is extremely broad and multifaceted. It is used to get rid of many imperfections: wrinkles, dry skin, bags under the eyes, acne, blackheads, etc. Home remedies with it will make your skin young, healthy and radiant.
With vitamin E
A recipe for a homemade mask with vitamin E is designed to cope with even very dry, flaky skin. To prepare it, it is recommended to take 10 ampoules of pharmaceutical vitamin E and combine with 50 ml of hydrate.
Reviews
Many women are advised (in order to avoid the negative effects of this product) to conduct a test before use and understand whether there is an allergy to glycerin for the face. The benefits and harms of a pharmaceutical product are determined in the same way.
If you take into account all precautions when using, this component can not only not harm the skin, but have a miraculous effect. Some even believe that it is a real panacea for aging.
