subject: All About Coconut And Glycerin Soaps [print this page] The coconut may very well be one of the most useful and versatile fruits on the planet. In fact, Malay speakers in the South Pacific call it pokok seribu guna, meaning "the tree of a thousand uses." Among other things, such food, fabric, potting soil and rope (medieval Arab mariners sailed in ships that were literally held together with rope made from coconut fiber), it is the basis of healthful, refreshing coconut soap.
It's Not What You Think
Despite its name, the coconut is not coco, nor is it a nut; it's actually a stone fruit, similar to peaches, apricots, avocados and olives. (It got its name from early Portuguese explorers who thought it had to do with a witch named Coco.) Pacific Island peoples used coconut soap for bathing and the hairy husk as a sort of scrubber sponge. The natural oils in coconuts were large part of what made the physical beauty of Polynesian peoples legendary (which ultimately cost Captain Bligh of the HMS Bounty both his ship and his command over two centuries ago but that's another story).
Today, those who manufacture soap from coconut often add the fragrance or essence of different flowers and/or herbs, providing a delight for the nose as well.
Glycerin Soap
The first type of commercially-produced soap in the world was glycerin bar soap back in the 1850s. You can recognize this type of soap from its semi-transparent amber color and distinctive scent.
Glycerin is a byproduct of processing fat, whether animal fat such as butter or vegetable fat like olive oil; it is in fact what gives fat a slippery, oily feel. Because of this, glycerin soap is an excellent moisturizer, and beneficial to people who suffer from dry, flaky skin. (It's worth pointing out that most commercially-produced soaps manufactured by large global corporate conglomerates do not contain this ingredient; it's left out as a cost-cutting measure, but its absence causes the skin to become dry and often irritated.)
There are several benefits to bathing with glycerin soap, not the least of which is its mild and therapeutic moisturizing properties. It also dissolves in water much more easily than other kinds of soaps, washing off quickly and completely without leaving an unpleasant film on your skin.
Often, floral and herbal essences are added to glycerin bar soap, which gives it not only a pleasing scent but an attractive appearance as well. Such natural soaps are an excellent choice for those who feel that bath time should be a feast for all the senses.
