A humectant that attracts and holds water.
What it is
Glycerin (glycerol) is a small polyol molecule that binds water. It can be obtained from plant oils, animal fats or synthetic processes; the INCI name does not say which.
Where it is used
Used in moisturisers, serums, cleansers, toothpastes and many other products as a humectant and solvent.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
The label does not reveal the source of glycerin (plant, animal or synthetic).
Functions
- Denaturant
- Rendering cosmetics unpalatable. Mostly added to cosmetics containing ethyl alcohol to make it unsuitable for ingestion.
- Hair conditioning
- Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.
- Humectant
- Retaining and/or preserving the moisture in a product during use.
- Oral care
- Providing cosmetic effects to the oral cavity, e.g. cleansing, deodorising, protecting.
- Skin protecting
- Helping to avoid harmful effects to the skin from external factors.
- Solvent
- Dissolving other components of cosmetics. Solvents are usually liquids (aqueous and nonaqueous).
- Viscosity controlling
- Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.
- Perfuming
- Used for perfume and aromatic raw materials.
- Fragrance
- Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.
- Skin conditioning – humectant
- Increasing the water content of the top layers of the skin. Humectants are primarily hygroscopic agents drawing moisture from the surrounding air.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.
Products with this ingredient (13042)
- Gardenia with Shea Butter Hand Cream · Florinda
- Pro-V Active Nutri-Plex Smooth & Sleek Shampoo · Pantene
- Original Antibacterial Handwash · Cien
- Birch juice ampoule · Round Lab
- Football Season 3-in-1 Hair, Face & Body Wash · Bath & Body Works
- Ultra Soft Baby Wipes Shea Butter · Little Tikes
- Essentials Heat Protection Shield Spray · Unilever
- Cremeseife Warm Mandarine · ISANA
- Deluxe Beauty Soap · Tibet
- Skin Illusion All-In-One Concealer · Clarins
- Vaseline Pro Derma Ultra Moisturizing Body cream · Unilever
- Sérum corporal · Unilever