Glycerine for DIY beauty & cleaning products

Glycerine (or glycerol) has been around for centuries. It was first discovered in 1779 (200 years before I was born) by Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele.

• In DIY Cleaners: It works wonders when paired with Xanthan Gum to create smooth, thick textures in your water-based products. Perfect for dish liquid, hand wash or creating cleaning gels.
  
  
• In Beauty Products: It’s often used in lotions, moisturisers, body washes, and face serums. It can hydrate and lock moisture into your skin, leaving it soft and smooth. It's also great for hair care, providing shine and moisture to dry strands.
  
  

It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t educate you fully on our products, so let’s dive in!

What is Glycerine?

Glycerine is a clear, odourless, and sweet-tasting liquid that is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts moisture from the air. It’s a type of alcohol (a trihydroxy alcohol), and it’s often derived from natural sources like vegetable oils.

How to use it

When it comes to DIY products, a little goes a long way. For cleaning products, start with about 1–2 tablespoons per 500ml of solution, and adjust as needed for your desired texture.

In beauty products, you’ll want to use even less, as its moisture-retaining properties are quite powerful. A few drops mixed into a lotion or serum is all you need to make a big difference.

If you’re combining it with Xanthan Gum (which we also stock!), the two work in harmony. A good rule of thumb is to add 1 tablespoon of glycerine to half a teaspoon of Xanthan Gum to create a gel-like consistency that’s perfect for thickening cleaning or beauty concoctions.

How It’s Made

Vegetable Glycerine is made through a process called hydrolysis. It begins with vegetable oils (often from soy, palm, or coconut) that undergo a chemical reaction with water. This process breaks down the oils, separating the glycerol from the fatty acids. The result is a clear, odourless liquid that’s safe and gentle enough for use in a wide variety of products, from skincare to cleaning.

Types of Glycerine

There are several types of glycerine, but the most common ones are:

• Vegetable Glycerine: Derived from plant oils, this is the type we stock. It’s ideal for eco-friendly DIY projects.
  
  
• Animal Glycerine: Sourced from animal fats (typically from cows or pigs), it’s less commonly used nowadays due to ethical concerns.
  
  
• Synthetic Glycerine: Made in a lab from petroleum-based sources, this is less natural and not biodegradable, making it less ideal for eco-conscious consumers.

At Under Your Sink, we only offer Vegetable Glycerine that is Palm Oil free because it’s sustainable, cruelty-free, and safe for your DIY products.

Uses Outside DIY Cleaners and Beauty Products

Vegetable Glycerine isn’t just for cleaning and beauty. It has a whole host of other uses, including:

• Food Industry: It’s often added to food products as a sweetener, thickening agent, or preservative. 
  
  
• Pharmaceuticals: Vegetable Glycerine is used in cough syrups, lozenges, and other medicines to help soothe the throat and improve texture.
  
  
• Health and Wellness: Used in some herbal tinctures to preserve the active compounds
  
  
• In the Arts: It’s even used in art and photography for its ability to retain moisture in paints and developing solutions.

Other Things You Should Know About Vegetable Glycerine

• It’s Gentle on Skin: If you have sensitive skin, Vegetable Glycerine is a great option. It’s non-irritating and can even be used as a gentle makeup remover or soothing after-sun lotion.
  
  
• It’s Non-Toxic: Vegetable Glycerine is safe to use around the home, including in cleaning products. It’s non-toxic to humans and pets, making it an excellent option for eco-friendly, family-friendly DIY projects.

You can grab  Xanthan Gum and Glycerine here in our DIY ingredients collection - in keeping with our full green approach they come in plastic free packaging.