A general guide to Glycerine
What is Glycerine
Vegetable glycerine, also known as glycerol or glycerin, is a natural compound that is typically derived from plant-based sources. It is a colourless, odorless, and viscous liquid with a sweet taste. Vegetable glycerine has various uses in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and personal care industries.
Why Glycerine should be in your DIY toolkit
In cleaning products, it acts as a solvent, stabiliser, and moisture retainer, effectively dissolving dirt, preventing ingredient separation, and keeping formulations hydrated.
In beauty products, glycerine serves as a moisturiser, emollient, humectant, and thickener, maintaining skin hydration, creating a protective barrier, and improving texture.
How to use Glycerine in your DIY cleaners
Valued for its solubility, stabilising qualities, and moisturising benefits, it finds its way into a range of common cleaning products, including multi-purpose cleaners, window and glass cleaners, furniture polish, stainless steel cleaners, fragrance enhancers, and gel-based cleaners.
Pro tip - use glycerine and Xanthan gum as an effective thickening duo for your water-based products
How to use Glycerine in your DIY beauty products
Glycerine is commonly employed in various homemade beauty items, including moisturizers, lotions, face serums, hair conditioners, body washes, face masks, hand creams, lip balms, hydrating mists, and perfumes. Adding a small bit to your beauty recipes can go a long way.
Why most Vegetable Glycerine is eco-friendly
Vegetable glycerine is ecologically sound due to its biodegradability and minimal environmental impact. This eco-friendly status arises from factors such as its ability to naturally break down through microbial activity, its renewable plant-based sourcing, low toxicity for humans and ecosystems, reduced chemical usage in production, and its potential to enhance the formulation of environmentally conscious products.
How Glycerine is made
Vegetable glycerine is primarily obtained during the soap-making process called saponification. It starts with plant-based oils like coconut, palm, or soybean being extracted and then treated with an alkali like sodium hydroxide. Then it is later refined and purified.
