Glycerol
AKA “glycerin, 56-81-5, Glycerine, 1, 2, 3-Propanetriol, Glycyl alcohol, Trihydroxypropane, Glyceritol, Osmoglyn, 3-trihydroxypropane”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Glycerol
AKA: Glycerin, 56-81-5, Glycerine, 1, 2, 3-Propanetriol, Glycyl alcohol, Trihydroxypropane, Glyceritol, Osmoglyn, 3-trihydroxypropane
Ingredient · Antimicrobial
Synthetic
Preservative
Plant Oil
Not Clean
1,3-Dioxolane-4-methanol
Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 64 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C3H8O3
Mol. Weight
92.09
CAS #
4740-78-7
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Antimicrobial
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Draws water to skin
Traditional Use
Known since ancient times; isolated as a glycerin byproduct in soap-making. Became a cornerstone ingredient in modern cosmetics in the 19th century due to its powerful humectant and skin-conditioning properties.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dehydration
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
—
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
79.2%
45.0%
0%100%
Industry Max
Reg. Limit
FDA OTC limit (Skin Protectant): 45%. 21 CFR 347.10
Regulatory Agencies
Ethylhexylglycerin: a low-risk, but highly relevant, sensitizer in 'hypo-allergenic' cosmetics.
Aerts O, Verhulst L, Goossens A
Contact dermatitis, 2016
Safety Assessment of Glycerin Ethoxylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Akinsulie A, Raj PS, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Glycerin Ethoxylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Akinsulie A, Raj PS, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Glycerin Ethoxylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Akinsulie A, Raj PS, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Glycerin Ethoxylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Akinsulie A, Raj PS, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Glycerin Ethoxylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Akinsulie A, Raj PS, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Glycerin Ethoxylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Akinsulie A, Raj PS, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Glycerin Ethoxylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Akinsulie A, Raj PS, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Glycerin Ethoxylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Akinsulie A, Raj PS, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Glycerin Ethoxylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Akinsulie A, Raj PS, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Glycerin as Used in Cosmetics.
Lillian C Becker, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2019
Safety Assessment of Glycerin as Used in Cosmetics.
Lillian C Becker, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2019
Safety Assessment of Glycerin as Used in Cosmetics.
Lillian C Becker, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2019
Safety Assessment of Glycerin as Used in Cosmetics.
Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2019
Alkylglycerol Derivatives, a New Class of Skin Penetration Modulators.
Bernal-Chávez SA, Pérez-Carreto LY, Nava-Arzaluz MG, Ganem-Rondero A
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2017
Final Report: Safety Assessment of Diglycerin and Polyglycerin-3, -6, and -10 as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Glycerin as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Glycerin Ethoxylates as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Caprylyl Glycol/Glycerin/Polyacrylic Acid Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ethylhexylglycerin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Glycerin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Lauryl Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Lysophosphatidylglycerol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Phosphatidylglycerol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polyglycerin-10
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
polyglycerin-3
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polyglycerin-6
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Capryloyl Glycerin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Diglycerin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Ethylhexylglycerin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Glycerin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Lauryl Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Phosphatidylglycerol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
polyglycerin-3
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Phase Behavior of Polyglycerol Ester-Based Nanoemulsions.
Gan L, Cui D, Ali N, Zhang Q, Zhang D et al.
Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology, 2021
Phase Behavior of Polyglycerol Ester-Based Nanoemulsions.
Gan L, Cui D, Ali N, Zhang Q, Zhang D et al.
Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology, 2021
Phase Behavior of Polyglycerol Ester-Based Nanoemulsions.
Gan L, Cui D, Ali N, Zhang Q, Zhang D et al.
Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology, 2021
Phase Behavior of Polyglycerol Ester-Based Nanoemulsions.
Gan L, Cui D, Ali N, Zhang Q, Zhang D et al.
Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology, 2021
Phase Behavior of Polyglycerol Ester-Based Nanoemulsions.
Gan L, Cui D, Ali N, Zhang Q, Zhang D et al.
Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology, 2021
Glycerin
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Nitroglycerin
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Regioisomerism of triacylglycerols in lard, tallow, yolk, chicken skin, palm oil, palm olein, palm stearin, and a transesterified blend of palm steari
Kallio H, Yli-Jokipii K, Kurvinen JP, Sjövall O, Tahvonen R
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2001
Regioisomerism of triacylglycerols in lard, tallow, yolk, chicken skin, palm oil, palm olein, palm stearin, and a transesterified blend of palm steari
Kallio H, Yli-Jokipii K, Kurvinen JP, Sjövall O, Tahvonen R
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2001
Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer in a Lip Balm.
Lockmann A, Schill T, Schubert S, Buhl T
Contact dermatitis, 2026
Evaluation of additive effects of hydrolyzed jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) esters and glycerol: a preliminary study.
Meyer J, Marshall B, Gacula M Jr, Rheins L
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2008
Evaluation of additive effects of hydrolyzed jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) esters and glycerol: a preliminary study.
Meyer J, Marshall B, Gacula M Jr, Rheins L
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2008
Physicochemical properties and volatile formation mechanism of medium-chain triacylglycerols during heating.
Park S, Kim MJ, Lee JH
Journal of food science, 2022
Effects of 1,3-propanediol associated, or not, with butylene glycol and/or glycerol on skin hydration and skin barrier function.
Pinto JR, Monteiro E Silva SA, Leonardi GR
International journal of cosmetic science, 2024
Polyglycerol fatty acid ester surfactant-based microemulsions for targeted delivery of ceramide AP into the stratum corneum: formulation, characterisa
Sahle FF, Metz H, Wohlrab J, Neubert RH
European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V, 2012
Starvation depresses acylglycerol biosynthesis in bovine subcutaneous but not intramuscular adipose tissue homogenates.
Smith SB, Lin KC, Wilson JJ, Lunt DK, Cross HR
Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & molecular biology, 1998
Targeting mitochondrial dysfunction in atopic dermatitis with trilinolein: A triacylglycerol from the medicinal plant Cannabis fructus.
Wang Y, Lu H, Cheng L, Guo W, Hu Y et al.
Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 2024
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · CIR