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Glycerin, Retained*
AKA “glycerol, glycerin, Glycerine, 3-Propanetriol, Glycyl alcohol”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Glycerin, retained*
AKA: Glycerol, Glycerine, 3-Propanetriol, Glycyl alcohol
Ingredient · Humectant · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Humectant
Skin Conditioner
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Glycerin, Retained* is a cosmetic ingredient.
Formula
C3H8O3
Mol. Weight
92.09
CAS #
56-81-5
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Draws water to skin
Locks in moisture
Strengthens skin barrier
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dehydration
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
→
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
→
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)
→
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
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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
→
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 Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR