{"id":19640,"date":"2026-02-22T17:14:06","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T16:14:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cosmacon.de\/?post_type=encyclopedia&p=19640"},"modified":"2026-02-22T17:14:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T16:14:06","slug":"glycerine-in-cosmetics-effects-studies-skin-physiology","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/www.cosmacon.de\/en\/glossary\/glycerine-in-cosmetics-effects-studies-skin-physiology\/","title":{"rendered":"Glycerine in cosmetics: effects, studies, skin physiology"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is glycerol?<\/h3>\n

Glycerol, or glycerin or glycerine (INCI: Glycerin) is a trihydric alcohol (propane-1,2,3-triol) with the molecular formula C\u2083H\u2088O\u2083. It is one of the most thoroughly researched and most frequently used humectants in cosmetics.<\/p>\n

Physicochemical data:<\/h3>\n

– INCI: Glycerin<\/p>\n

– Chemical name: Propane-1,2,3-triol<\/p>\n

– CAS: 56-81-5<\/p>\n

– Molar mass: 92.09 g\/mol<\/p>\n

– Appearance: clear, viscous liquid<\/p>\n

– Completely water-soluble<\/p>\n

– Hygroscopic (strongly water-binding)<\/p>\n

– Boiling point: approx. 290 \u00b0C<\/p>\n

The three hydroxyl groups enable pronounced water binding and explain its high efficiency as a moisturizer.<\/p>\n

Where does glycerine occur naturally in the body?<\/h3>\n

Glycerine is a physiological component of the human organism and occurs, among other things, as a building block of triglycerides (adipose tissue), as a component of phospholipids (cell membranes), and as a component of the Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). It is transported via aquaporin-3 channels in the epidermis and is an intermediate product in energy metabolism. In the skin, glycerine supports hydration, elasticity, and barrier function.<\/p>\n

How does glycerine work in the skin?<\/h3>\n

The effect is multifactorial:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Moisture retention: Binds water in the stratum corneum and measurably increases skin moisture.<\/li>\n
  2. Barrier strengthening: Studies show improved lipid organization and faster barrier regeneration.<\/li>\n
  3. Reduction of TEWL: Reduces transepidermal water loss.<\/li>\n
  4. Improvement of skin elasticity: Increases the mechanical flexibility of the stratum corneum.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Clinical studies (selection):<\/h3>\n

    – Lod\u00e9n (2003): Significant improvement in skin moisture through topical glycerine.<\/p>\n

    Fluhr et al. (2008): Accelerated barrier regeneration after irritation.<\/p>\n

    Rawlings & Harding (2004): Positive effect on stratum corneum hydration and skin mechanics.<\/p>\n

    Verdier-S\u00e9vrain and Bont\u00e9 (2007): Glycerine is the gold standard among moisturizers.<\/p>\n

    The evidence is exceptionally solid\u2014hardly any other moisturizing product is better documented.<\/p>\n

    Industrial production is carried out on a large scale\u2014sustainably and vegan<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. Biodiesel production (upcycling): The transesterification of vegetable oils produces crude glycerine as a by-product, which is purified to achieve cosmetic quality.<\/li>\n
    2. Fat recycling: Recovery from vegetable fat streams.<\/li>\n
    3. Vegetable hydrolysis: Splitting of triglycerides from vegetable oils.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      This means that the raw material is vegan, sustainably available, a by-product of energy production, and relevant to the circular economy\u2014a prime example of functional upcycling in the cosmetics industry.<\/p>\n

      Why glycerine is indispensable despite its \u201cboring\u201d nature:<\/h3>\n

      It fulfills several functions in almost every emulsion:<\/p>\n

      – Base hydrator<\/p>\n

      – Penetration enhancer<\/p>\n

      – Sensory modulator<\/p>\n

      – Stability improver<\/p>\n

      – Effect enhancer in combination with amino acids, urea, ceramides<\/p>\n

      Without this substance, many high-end formulations simply do not work.<\/p>\n

      New products with glycerol for your brand<\/h3>\n

      For a quick market entry,\u00a0Tojo Cosmetics<\/a>\u00a0offers immediately available, EU-compliant white label products in which this active ingredient is already formulated.<\/p>\n

      For individual production orders,\u00a0Cosactive<\/a>\u00a0offers formulation-tested active ingredient mixtures starting from small quantities.<\/p>\n

      At our partner company Cosmacon, we are happy to assist you with individual product developments using this innovative active ingredient.<\/p>\n

      Just ask us!<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      What is glycerol? Glycerol, or glycerin or glycerine (INCI: Glycerin) is a trihydric alcohol (propane-1,2,3-triol) with the molecular formula C\u2083H\u2088O\u2083. It is one of the most thoroughly researched and most frequently used humectants in cosmetics. Physicochemical data: – INCI: Glycerin – Chemical name: Propane-1,2,3-triol – CAS: 56-81-5 – Molar mass: 92.09 g\/mol – Appearance: clear,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7916,"template":"","class_list":["post-19640","encyclopedia","type-encyclopedia","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nGlycerine in cosmetics: effects, studies, skin physiology - Cosmacon<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Glycerine in cosmetics: effects, studies, skin physiology, sustainable extraction, and why this classic moisturizer is indispensable.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cosmacon.de\/en\/glossary\/glycerine-in-cosmetics-effects-studies-skin-physiology\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Glycerine in cosmetics: effects, studies, skin physiology - 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