Vegetable Glycerin

INCI Name

Glycerin

Botanical Name

Derived from plant oils (commonly palm, coconut, or soybean)

Vegetable glycerin (glycerol) is a clear, odorless liquid derived from vegetable oils such as coconut, soy, or palm. It acts as a powerful humectant, helping attract and retain moisture in the skin. Common in creams, serums, cleansers, and toners, glycerin supports hydration and skin softness across all skin types.

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Primary Function
Humectant
Add'l Function
Solubilizer
Scent Profile
Odorless
Neutral
Mildly Sweet
Is It Natural?
Naturally Derived (Processed)
Formulate with Confidence

Botanical Building Blocks for Every Blend

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Skin Type Suitability

All
Dry
Mature
Sensitive
Normal
Combination
Oily
Baby/Child Safe
Considered Safe for Babies
Considered Safe for Teens
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Typical Product Use

Humectant, solvent, skin-conditioning agent

Product Type(s):

Serum
Cream
Lotion
Balm
Butter
Toner
Cleanser
Gel
Hydrating Product
General Use

Typical Usage Range:

2–10% typical in skin care; up to 20% in specific formulations

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Supportive Qualities

Helps attract and retain moisture; widely used to support skin hydration and softness

Primary Components:

Glycerol

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Important to Know

Generally safe; high concentrations (>10%) may feel sticky; ensure cosmetic grade

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Sourcing Tips

Preferred Extraction Method:

Hydrolysis and distillation from vegetable oils

Prefer USP or cosmetic-grade, non-GMO, vegetable-derived glycerin; check for palm-free sources if desired

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More information*

Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:

Cosmetics Info
Cosmetic Ingredient Review
EWG's Skin Deep
INCIDecoder
SkinSAFE
SpecialChem

*The ingredient details on this page are intended for general educational use and should not be considered exhaustive. Additional properties, uses, or safety considerations may be available from other sources. Root & Ritual Apothecary is not affiliated with Cosmetics Info, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), INCIDecoder, SkinSafe, EWG Skin Deep, or SpecialChem. External links are provided solely for informational purposes; Root & Ritual does not control or guarantee the accuracy, methodology, or conclusions of third-party sources, including consumer rating systems such as EWG.