What’s the Deal with Glycerin in Soap? (And Why We Keep It In)

If you’ve ever looked at a bar of soap and seen “glycerin” on the label, you might’ve wondered:
What is that stuff — and why does it matter?

Short answer? Glycerin is one of the most important ingredients in soap…
And most big brands take it out.

Here’s what you need to know — and why every bar at Stench Soap Co. keeps it in.

What Is Glycerin?

Glycerin (aka glycerol) is a natural byproduct of saponification — the chemical reaction between fats (like olive or coconut oil) and lye that creates real soap.

During the cold process method, this reaction produces:

  • Soap (cleansing agent)

  • Glycerin (moisturizer)

In small-batch soap, nothing is removed — you get the full benefits of both.
But in mass-produced soap, glycerin is usually stripped out and sold separately to cosmetic or pharmaceutical companies.

Because let’s be honest: synthetic bars are made to cut costs, not treat your skin.

Why Glycerin Is Good for Your Skin

This isn’t some fancy marketing ingredient. Glycerin is legit.

What it does:

  • Draws moisture from the air into your skin (humectant)

  • Improves hydration without feeling greasy

  • Supports your skin barrier — making it great for dryness, flakiness, or sensitive skin

Translation: It keeps your skin soft, smooth, and healthy — especially after exposure to wind, sun, sweat, or harsh elements.

Why Most Big Brands Take It Out

Here’s the part that gets shady:
Most big commercial soap makers intentionally remove glycerin from their bars.

Why?

  • To increase shelf life

  • To make the soap cheaper and harder

  • So they can sell the glycerin separately in lotions, creams, and cosmetics

So that “moisturizer” you buy after using their drying soap?
Yeah. They created that need — by gutting the soap in the first place.

Why Stench Leaves It In

We don’t remove a thing.

Every bar we make through the cold process method is cured naturally, with glycerin fully intact — just the way soap is supposed to be.

No stripping. No reformulating. No re-selling.

You get soap that cleans and conditions — in one bar.

Bottom Line: Glycerin Matters

If your soap leaves you dry, itchy, or flaky — it’s probably because the good stuff’s been taken out.

At Stench, we leave it all in.
Because we’re not here to play the cheap soap game.
We’re here to make real soap, done right — with all the benefits your skin actually needs.

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