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Glycerin, Retained*
AKA “glycerol, glycerin, Glycerine, 3-Propanetriol, Glycyl alcohol”
Fatty Acid
Ingredient Facts
Glycerin, retained*
AKA: Glycerol, Glycerine, 3-Propanetriol, Glycyl alcohol
Fatty Acid · Humectant · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Humectant
Fragrance
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Plant Oil
Fatty Acid
Clean
A naturally derived humectant that draws moisture into skin and hair, helping them stay hydrated and soft. It also helps thicken formulas and lock in moisture.
Formula
C3H8O3
Mol. Weight
92.09
CAS #
56-81-5
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Oral-Care
Protectant
Thickener
Fragrance
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Draws water to skin
Locks in moisture
Strengthens skin barrier
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dehydration
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
79.2%
45%
0%100%
Industry Max
Reg. Limit
FDA OTC limit: 45% (Skin Protectant). Also listed as anorectal protectant at 10-45% in 21 CFR 346.14 Source: FDA OTC Monograph, 21 CFR 347.10. Industry typically uses up to 79.2% in leave-on products (10046 products reported). Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 679).
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Ethylhexylglycerin: a low-risk, but highly relevant, sensitizer in 'hypo-allergenic' cosmetics.
Aerts O, Verhulst L, Goossens A
Contact dermatitis, 2016
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
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Caprylyl Glycol/Glycerin/Polyacrylic Acid Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Glycerin
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
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Nitroglycerin
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
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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
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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
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Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer in a Lip Balm.
Lockmann A, Schill T, Schubert S, Buhl T
Contact dermatitis, 2026
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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
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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
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Physicochemical properties and volatile formation mechanism of medium-chain triacylglycerols during heating.
Park S, Kim MJ, Lee JH
Journal of food science, 2022
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR