The Benefits of Pure Glycerin
Pure glycerin is one of the very best skin treatments that money can buy. Why? Because it’s cheap and it works.
With winter coming on, dry skin is always an issue, particularly with hands and feet. Dry skin on the hands and feet is not solely a problem in winter; glycerin can help year round. The best (or most expensive, let’s say) hand cream on the market may be something like Molton Brown, White Mulberry Soothing Hand Lotion for 25.00 at Bath and Body Works. Or, at the lower end of the spectrum, you can buy the Aromatherapy Peach Parfait creme for 8.00 both of which have glycerin at the beginning of their list.
These products are not bad – they’re great, but, if what you want are results while saving a little money, or to supplement the products that you’re already using then read on. If you don’t mind spending money on name brand products, then there’s no need to read any further. This article is about saving money. Women should not have to live daily with super-dry skin because they can’t afford beauty products.
This doesn’t mean you can never buy Oil of Olay again. If you like the container with the convenient pump, or if you simply love the aroma of the moisturizer you’ve been using for ten years – then great, keep buying them. But also buy some glycerin. Try it you’ll be surprised at the results.
Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it attracts moisture to your skin. It is a neutral, sweet-tasting, colorless, thick liquid, kind of like Karo Syrup. It has many uses in the kitchen as well as in making all -natural soaps. It’s water-soluble so it can be dissolved into water or alcohol, but not oils. Sometimes, alcohols are used in making skin care products like the ones in your bathroom. You’ll find the versatile glycerin in soaps, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, and body lotions to name a few.
Where to find glycerin
Because glycerin is so popular for so many different uses, you can find it in a variety of places. But, for the purpose of this article, let’s just stick to the pharmacy. Not a specialty pharmacy – the chains like Walgreen’s, Eckerd’s, CVS, Brooks, etc. It never seems to be in the same place at any of them so you may have to ask a pharmacist. Be persistent. Many people have never heard about it.
What does glycerin look like?
The glycerin itself is clear and gooey. It is often sold in a brown, 4oz. bottle about the size of a bottle of aspirin. The bottle is brown plastic (like peroxide) and has a white label with green letters. The cost is usually about 2.99
How is glycerin used on the hands and feet?
While you’re at the pharmacy, you can buy little, thin, cotton “gloves” that are specifically for overnight treatment. Pharmacies also sell little booty socks of the same material made for the feet. Regular, loose-fitting socks also work, though. Most people usually tear the gloves off in the night as it is awkward wearing a pair of gloves to bed. But, when you see the results – you’ll wear them!
Make sure you’ve done everything else like brushed your teeth, set your alarm, etc. Simply pour an ample amount of glycerin on to your hands and work it in like a hand lotion. If the thickness of it is just too much for you to deal with, add a bit of water until it’s the consistency that you want. Then, put your gloves on and leave them on as long as possible. Overnight is best. If you can’t stand the gloves at night, try them during the day, or while you’re driving or wherever works for you. I’m typing with them as you read!!
This treatment is safe to use repeatedly as it is all-natural. And, you won’t be filled with guilt because a 2.99 bottle of the stuff lasts months depending on usage. It’s great to apply glycerin to your hands and throw the gloves on just before a manicure, or if you’re going out and want your hands to look soft and smooth. Just rinse with water and the excess comes right off!
Remember, look at all of the products in your bathroom. Can any of them be replaced by a bottle of pure glycerin? Try using it as an under-the-eye cream at night instead of spending 19.99 on regenerating creams. A little glycerin in the palms of the hands diluted with water makes for a great anti-frizzer in your hair. Its uses are endless! Write and let me know what you found it works well with!
