Glycerin USP – Cosmetic Grade Vegetable Glycerin Australia

Selected for specification, not just ingredient name.

Materials sold under the same ingredient name or INCI can differ in grade, purity, specification limits and supporting documentation. JNA selects ingredients with these differences in mind.

Specification Matters

Selected for stronger purity and quality parameters where specification makes the difference.

Cosmetic grade

Selected for professional cosmetic formulation.

Documented quality

Manufacturing and batch documentation available.

Formulator ready

Defined use levels and processing guidance.

Glycerin USP – Cosmetic Grade Vegetable

Glycerin (Vegetable) is one of the most dependable and versatile humectants in cosmetic f

Glycerin (Vegetable) is a formulation essential for creating effective, well-balanced moisture systems across skincare, haircare and personal care. A highly effective humectant, it helps formulations attract and retain moisture, supporting softer, smoother and more comfortable-feeling skin while helping reduce the effects of dryness.

Its value extends well beyond basic moisturising. Glycerin can be used throughout everything from lightweight serums and toners to rich emulsions, cleansers, shampoos and body care, making it an exceptionally useful ingredient to keep at the formulation bench. It can also be incorporated alongside other humectants, emollients and cosmetic actives to build more sophisticated hydration systems tailored to the desired performance and skin feel.

For formulators, Glycerin offers a rare combination of performance, practicality and flexibility. Whether developing a simple beginner formulation or refining the humectant balance of a more advanced system, it provides a dependable foundation that can be adjusted around the needs of the finished product.

Why Formulators Choose It

Powerful water-binding humectant — helps attract and retain moisture within the finished formulation and supports hydrated, comfortable-feeling skin.
High-purity vegetable grade — vegetable-derived cosmetic-grade Glycerin with an assay specification of ≥99.0%.
More than just a humectant — can also function as a solvent for suitable water-soluble cosmetic ingredients.
Highly formulation versatile — suitable across serums, toners, creams, lotions, cleansers, shampoos, body care and other aqueous cosmetic systems.
Useful in multi-humectant systems — combine with other humectants to balance hydration performance and sensory characteristics.
Easy to incorporate — water miscibility and broad compatibility make it a practical building block for beginner through advanced formulation.

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

Ingredient Glycerin (USP/ Ph Eur) - Vegetable Glycerol

INCI Glycerin

CAS 56-81-5

Solubility Water soluble

FORMULATION NOTES

Processing Notes

Add to the water phase with mixing until uniform. Suitable for cold or heated processing. Glycerin may also be used to pre-disperse selected gums and powders before incorporation into the water phase.

Compatibility Notes

Compatible with a broad range of water-based cosmetic systems and commonly used alongside other humectants, actives, surfactants and rheology modifiers. Glycerin can also provide solvent functionality for suitable water-soluble cosmetic ingredients. Higher levels may influence viscosity and sensory feel depending on the overall formulation.

pH Notes

pH 5.0–8.0 (aqueous solution).

Formulation Examples

The manufacturer reports a pH of 5.0–8.0 for an aqueous solution. Glycerin itself is used across a broad range of cosmetic systems; select the finished-product pH according to the requirements of the complete formulation and preservative system.

Troubleshooting

Excessive tackiness: Reduce the glycerin level or combine with lower-tack humectants such as propanediol or pentylene glycol.

Unexpected viscosity changes: Review glycerin concentration and its interaction with the formulation's rheology modifiers.

Viscosity changes in surfactant systems: Glycerin can influence surfactant-system viscosity. Review surfactant ratios, electrolyte levels and the salt curve where applicable.

SENSORY PROFILE

Skin Feel Smooth, humectant-rich

Tack Low to moderate at typical levels; increases as concentration rises.

Slip Provides some initial slip but is not inherently silky or dry-touch.

Finish Non-oily; may become tacky at higher use levels

Formulation Impact

Glycerin provides effective humectancy but can contribute noticeable tackiness as the total humectant load increases, particularly in leave-on formulations. Combining glycerin with lower-tack humectants can help balance hydration performance with a lighter sensory profile.

QUALITY & SOURCING

Vegetable Derived
Vegetable-source cosmetic-grade Glycerin supplied against defined quality specifications.

High Assay
Assay specification of ≥99.0%.

Defined Physical Quality
Supplied as a transparent, colourless liquid with high viscosity at room temperature.

Documented Quality Testing
Supplier specifications include heavy-metal and microbiological quality limits.

Quality Testing

Heavy Metals: ≤5 ppm

COMPARISON & ALTERNATIVES

Propanediol (1.3)

Water-soluble humectant and solvent with a lighter sensory profile, useful where reduced tack or additional solvent functionality is desired.

Pentylene Glycol

Multifunctional humectant with a lighter skin feel that can also contribute useful formulation-supporting properties.

Sodium PCA Powder

Highly water-soluble humectant suited to formulations where strong moisture-binding performance is desired at relatively low use levels.

STORAGE & HANDLING

Storage Conditions

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light and heat. Keep the container tightly closed when not in use.

Handling Notes

Use clean, dry equipment when dispensing to minimise contamination. Reseal the container promptly after use.

Shelf Life / Retest Guidance

24 months when stored under the recommended conditions. Refer to the batch-specific documentation for the applicable expiry or retest date.

PRODUCT SAFETY

Manufacturers technical documentation describes Glycerin as non-toxic and low-irritation under normal cosmetic dosage, with no special handling requirements identified for normal use. Refer to the current Safety Data Sheet for complete safety and handling information.

The formulator is responsible for assessing the safety, stability and suitability of the finished formulation for its intended application.

DOCUMENTATION

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Available for this ingredient

View SDS →

Safety Data Sheet available. Batch-specific Certificate of Analysis documentation is maintained for the supplied material.

Formulator's Quick Guide

INCI Glycerin

CAS 56-81-5

Appearance Clear, colourless viscous liquid

Solubility Water soluble

Phase Water Phase

Applications Serums, Creams & Lotions, Toners & Essences, Facial Cleansers, Masks, Eye Care, Mists & Sprays, Body Lotions & Creams, Body Washes, Hand Care, Foot Care, Shampoos, Conditioners, Hair Treatment & Masks, Leave-in Hair Products, Scalp Treatments, Foaming Cleansers, Miscellar Products, Shower Gels & Body Washes, Hand Washes, Soap & Syndet Bars, Emulsions , Clear Aqueous Formulations

Supports Hydration, Skin conditioning, Skin comfort, Slip / sensory feel, Barrier support

Why Formulators Choose This Ingredient