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INGREDIENT DICTIONARY
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Glycerin (USP/ Ph Eur) - Vegetable Glycerol

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INCI: Glycerin / CAS #: 56-81-5

Glycerin (also known as glycerol or glycerine) is a water-soluble humectant naturally present in the skin and widely used across cosmetic formulations to support hydration and skin comfort.

It is one of the most established ingredients in cosmetic science, valued for its reliability, broad compatibility, and well-understood performance.

Key benefits

  • Supports skin hydration and moisture retention
  • Helps maintain skin comfort and flexibility
  • Widely used to improve feel in water-based formulations
  • Stable across wide pH range

Behaviour in formulations

Glycerin is compatible with:

  • cold-process and heated systems
  • gels, emulsions, and surfactant-based products
  • a wide range of actives and functional ingredients

It is typically added to the water phase and mixes readily under standard processing conditions.

Add to the water phase with mixing until fully uniform. Suitable for both cold-process and heated systems. Compatible with a wide range of formulation types, including gels, emulsions, and surfactant-based systems.

At higher use levels, glycerine may influence viscosity and overall sensory feel; adjust rheology modifiers and emollient balance as needed.

Use level considerations

Use Rate (Min): 1.0
Use Rate (Max): 10.0

  • Leave-on: 2–6%
  • Rinse-off: 2-10%
  • Above ~5–7%, increased tack may be noticeable depending on the overall formula design.

Starter Use Rate: 2-5% for most cosmetic formulations.

At typical cosmetic use levels (approximately 1–5%), glycerin provides effective hydration with good sensory acceptance. At higher concentrations, it may contribute to tackiness if not balanced appropriately within the formula.

Formulators often manage this by adjusting humectant blends, emollient systems, or rheology modifiers depending on the product type.

Formulation summary

  • Solubility: water soluble
  • Add to water phase; cold or heated
  • Works in gels, emulsions, surfactant systems
  • In leave-on systems, manage tack at higher levels

Quality notes

Our glycerin is supplied as a high-purity cosmetic grade, batch tested for clarity, consistency, and assay to support reliable formulation performance.

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