Harnessing Humectants for Epidermolytic Ichthyosis
“…Adding vegetable glycerin to your skin care routine will keep that ‘Just had a bath’ level of comfort for so much longer.”
Part 8 of 10 in our “Skincare Showcase Series” is dedicated to VEGETABLE GLYCERIN.
Glycerin is what is known as a HUMECTANT and this means that it is HYDROPHILIC and literally pulls water towards it.
If you haven’t tried glycerin yet, and are wondering what all the hype is about, then please read on…
If we add glycerin into the skincare routine AFTER A BATH/SHOWER, glycerin will maintain the moisture level in the hydrated skin cells for an extended period of time.
This means that adding glycerin to your skincare routine will keep that “Just had a bath” level of comfort for so much longer.
Mix it with a great emollient at a ratio of no more than 30:70 Glycerin:Emollient and it helps keep the skin hydrated, supple, and feeling comfortable for longer.
A word of CAUTION: There are lots of people who use glycerin on the skin WITHOUT an emollient mixer, and this is a mistake. Ichthyotic skin needs more than basic hydration to make it more healthy and resilient against infections, and this is why glycerin should ALWAYS be mixed with a great emollient.
In addition, if you apply glycerin to DRY skin that hasn’t been hydrated with water first, it can actually cause the skin to become MORE DRY in the long term. This is because it will draw water out of the deep layers of the skin, and will ultimately cause cracks and increased dryness deep down.
I often describe the Emollient as the TREATMENT needed to smooth the skin, nurture the skin biome, and restore the acid mantle, whereas Glycerin acts as a BOOSTER to ensure the hydrating benefits of the DAILY BATH last longer in the skin.
From our own personal experiences, I mix a few different emollients from parts 5-7 of the skincare series into my hands, and then add a few pumps of glycerin to the mixture before applying all over the body, taking care to AVOID ANY OPEN WOUNDS.
Glycerin is absolutely glorious, and makes applying creams so much easier, and so much more cost effective. You can order online or pick it up at low cost from any pharmacy. My favourite is the one pictured here, from NOW FOODS. I have tried 3 or 4 different brands, but this is the most consistently priced, and always available online.