Description
What is Glycerin
Glycerin is a clear fluid commonly used in skin care, hair care, soaps, and many other cosmetic products. It’s commonly used as a humectant (or a product that absorbs water). This can help products feel more moisturising, and it can smooth skin and hair.
Glycerin in Cosmetics
- Holds moisture: Glycerin is a humectant and can keep a product feeling less dry. So you will find it in creams and lotions, serums, and in moisturizing shampoo.
- Improves Product Feel: Glycerin can be used to modify a product and improve how it feels on the skin. It may also help lubricate a product.
- Easy to Use: Glycerin is soluble in water, so it’s easy to work with. For most products, this ingredient gets added to the water phase.
- Versatile: Glycerin is used in skin care, hair care, soap, and other cleansers, so you can use one ingredient for multiple products.
How to Use
Handling Note:
Glycerin is easy to use, but it is fairly thick and hygroscopic (it absorbs moisture from the air). Keep the lid on it. It goes into the water phase and needs to be dispersed.
The suppliers’ recommended levels of glycerin in emulsions are from 2% to 5%. The following are general ranges, by product type, and you will need to optimize this product after some bench testing for texture and activity.
| Product Type | Glycerin Level in Final Product (percent by weight) |
| Body lotions and hand creams (not spray) | 4.5 to 78.5 percent |
| Face and neck products like creams and serums (not spray) | 6 to 54 percent |
| Moisturising products (not spray) | 0.14 to 66 percent |
| Face wash and body wash type products (skin cleansing) | 1 to 65.7 percent |
| Shampoo (non-colouring) | 0.015 to 20 percent |
| Hair conditioner | 0.015 to 38 percent |
| Soap and detergent products (bath soaps and detergents) | 1 to 60 percent |
| Paste masks and mud packs | 2.6 to 58.3 percent |
Target pH:
The glycerin does not need to be at a specific pH. You will need to adjust the pH of the product you are making.
Formulation Build Order:
- Put the water in the vessel.
- Then add the glycerin and mix.
- Add other water-soluble ingredients.
- If you are emulsifying, then proceed as normal.
- Once cooled, add preservative, perfume, and other non-heat-stable ingredients.
- Finish and fill.
What You Can Make With Glycerin
- Face serums
- Creams and lotions
- Gel moisturizers
- Shampoos and conditioners
- Body washes and hand washes
- Soaps and glycerin bars
Why Order From Stexol
- COA With Every Batch: We supply you COA of each batch for testing.
- We don’t have a minimum order: We have it small and bulk quantities available, you can try and test it before buying in bulk.
- We have an “industrial price” for bulk orders: We have discounts for bigger orders.
- Same-Day Dispatch: We can ship it overnight for you to keep on schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is glycerin found in skin and hair care products?
Yes. It’s commonly found in creams, serums, shampoo, conditioner, washes, and soap.
Q: Is a formula sticky with high levels of glycerin?
Yes. If used in large quantities, glycerin can be sticky. So add a lower amount and test.
Q: Will glycerin affect the pH?
Not in a major way on its own. It’s best to always check the pH of the final formula.
Q: What is the storage of glycerin?
Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place.
Order Now
Glycerin, COA available. No minimum order pressure. Same-day dispatch. Tons and mixed pricing are also available.
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