Is Glycerin Bad For You?
Also Known As: glycerol, glycerine, vegetable glycerin
Short answer
Glycerin can be very beneficial for your skin and is generally not harmful unless used unwisely. In terms of vaping vegetable glycerin, more research is needed to conclude what the long-term effects may be.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Glycerin is a viscous liquid which is commonly used in many beauty and skin care products, including soap and moisturizer. It is primarily included in these products because it is known to contain properties that lock moisture into the skin and prevent it from drying, but glycerin can also have other positive effects on your skin.
Glycerin has many properties that can contribute positively to healthy skin. The most common benefit of glycerin in skin products is its ability to absorb moisture from the air and retain it in order to hydrate and moisturize your skin. It also strengthens the epidermal layer of the skin it is applied to in order to lock moisture into the skin and keep out any harmful substances. Furthermore, glycerin eliminates dead skin cells that have clumped together by breaking down the clumps these dead cells eventually form. Glycerin can even help repair skin cells and heal bruises and fungal infections at an increased rate.
Products containing glycerin are generally safe and even beneficial to use on your skin. However, like almost any other substance, pure glycerin can have rare harmful effects on your health in certain situations. Most of these effects can be prevented by taking certain precautions. For example, you should not use pure glycerin on your skin in excessively hot and dry weather because it can suck moisture out of your skin and cause blisters to develop. Furthermore, women should not use pure glycerin on or near their genitals, as it can cause yeast infections.
When it comes to vaping e-cigarette juices that include vegetable glycerin, the effects on the body are less clear. It has been proven to cause dry mouth, sore throat, and increased thirst in some, however, long-term research has yet to prevail. Although many studies suggest that there is nothing to worry about, it is still good to keep in mind that vaping glycerin is fairly new and only time will tell what the true long-term effects are.
Possible short-term side effects
- blisters
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yeast infection
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dry mouth (e-cig use)
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sore throat (e-cig use)
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increased thirst (e-cig use)
Benefits
- hydrates and moisturizes skin
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strengthens epidermal barrier
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eliminates dead skin cells
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repairs skin cells
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treats fungal infections
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treats bruises
Healthier alternatives
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Written by Shaylie F
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-22-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Shaylie F
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-22-2016
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