glycerine ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily a humectant, pulling water into the stratum corneum to improve hydration and reduce the feel of dryness. It also helps adjust texture, slip, and freeze-thaw stability in water-based formulas.
What does glycerine do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily a humectant, pulling water into the stratum corneum to improve hydration and reduce the feel of dryness. It also helps adjust texture, slip, and freeze-thaw stability in water-based formulas.
Is glycerine clean?
It is broadly accepted in clean-beauty standards and is generally well tolerated, including in sensitive-skin products. At high levels it can feel tacky or increase stinging on compromised skin, but it has no major restricted-list friction.
Is glycerine sustainable?
This ingredient is commonly sourced from plant oils as a byproduct of soapmaking or biodiesel production, though synthetic and animal-derived routes also exist. It is readily biodegradable and has low environmental persistence.
Is glycerine COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when sourced and processed according to the standard. It fits Green Chemistry well when plant-derived, with renewable feedstock potential, ready biodegradability, and broad usefulness in water-based formulation without aggressive solvents.
How does glycerine work chemically?
The molecule is a small triol with three hydroxyl groups, which explains its strong water-binding behavior and full water miscibility. Typical use levels are about 2 to 10 percent in leave-on products, with higher levels increasing tack, and it is stable across the usual cosmetic pH range.
Last updated 2026-05-13