Glycerin is a plant-based alcohol that can be found in liquid or paste form for making soap. Its formula is identical to that of glycerol, a product that is identified as the same.
Contents
What is glycerin?
It is made up of three hydroxyl groups and appears with the degradation of lipids during digestion. That is, when fats are processed in the body or subjected to external chemical processes. Glycerin can be pure or mixed with other organic and inorganic compounds to make, for example, soaps and creams for the face and skin of the entire body.
Formula, properties, and characteristics
It is known as glycerol in medicine and in the food industry. It has countless uses and applications, from being an ingredient in low-calorie foods to a moisturizing active ingredient in cosmetics or as a medicinal substance for intestinal disorders. So, let’s look at the properties of glycerin, its formula, and, of course, the health benefits for people:
- Glycerin formula:
- Density: 1.26 g/cm³
- Molar mass: 92.09382 g/mol
- Semi-developed formula: HOCH2-CHOH-CH2OH
- Viscosity: 1.5 Pa·s
- Flammability temperature: 433 K (160 °C)
In addition to these characteristics in the chemical structure of glycerin, we can find properties for:
- Moisturizing the skin.
- Humectant.
- Low in calories.
- Hygroscopic, attracting water.
- Does not cause cavities.
- Laxative.
The intake of this compound, taking glycerin, increases carbohydrates in metabolism. Its main visual characteristic is that it looks very similar to oil. Liquid and somewhat thick, although it is actually an alcohol.
Due to its hygroscopic property, meaning its ability to attract water molecules from the environment, it is ideal for combining with shampoos and moisturizing creams. These care for the skin and penetrate well into the epidermis. However, it also serves other purposes. Let’s look at them below.
It also has laxative benefits. This makes it useful as a remedy for occasional constipation. Many pharmaceutical laboratories use it to make glycerin suppositories.
What other names does glycerin have?
- Glycerol
- Propanetriol.
- 1,2,3-Propanetriol.
- 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane.
Depending on the use you will give it, you may find it under one of these names. All refer to the same thing. The most common is to find it as “glycerin” or “glycerol.” Both refer to the same substance that comes from the degradation of lipids or fats.
Other names like propanetriol or trihydroxypropane are more common for industrial purposes.
Types of glycerin
- Vegetable.
- Liquid.
- For making soaps.
- Base.
- Solid or in paste.
Vegetable glycerin
Called so because it comes from plant tissues rather than animals, it is widely used in cosmetics for skin and hair care. Vegetable glycerin has moisturizing properties, improves skin health, and for this reason, it is included in the composition of many creams and soaps.
In its vegetable form, it is extracted from oils through hydrolysis. At a certain temperature, when mixed with water and pressure is applied, a reaction occurs in which it separates from the raw material, in this case, vegetable oil. The entire process to obtain glycerin separates fatty acids. To increase its purity, it must be separated from the water.
Liquid
Called so because of its appearance and texture, it behaves like a liquid. Although it doesn’t flow like water, liquid glycerin flows quite well. It is slightly thick but not compact. It lubricates and moistens any tissue and substances with low water content.
Glycerin base for making soap
It is an essential product for making homemade and industrial soap. There are different colors such as white or clear, transparent to give the desired finish to handmade soaps.
It can melt easily at low temperatures or be in liquid form at room temperature. You can opt to add small particles if you want to make a type of facial exfoliant or mix it with essential oils and plant extracts beneficial for the skin.
Now, after knowing it is used for making soaps and shampoos, let’s see what else you can use it for.
What is glycerin used for?
- For making soap.
- For moisturizing the skin.
- As an ingredient in toothpaste.
- For shampoos.
- Base for cosmetics and skincare products.
- As a sweetener to sweeten food.
- For making toothpaste.
- Suppositories.
- Used as a natural excipient.
A very important quality is that it can be easily mixed with other substances. This makes it easier to produce facial creams.
When included as an ingredient, it is not necessary to add other moisturizers. It also causes other active ingredients to have better solubility, meaning they dissolve easily to complete a homogeneous paste without lumps. This makes it possible to add liquid glycerin and avoid using alcohol.
For moisturizing the skin
A well-known product is glycerin soap. It has benefits for all connective tissue and when applied topically, it eliminates skin dryness. The hygroscopic property of glycerin causes the surrounding water to be absorbed, so the stratum corneum of the skin will maintain moisture and allow the cellular tissue to have an optimal ecosystem to duplicate, regenerate collagen and elastin fibers, and also keep all involved parts in perfect condition.
It is widely used as an excipient in cosmetics and products for intimate hygiene care, such as vaginesil, which helps with itching and restores vaginal moisture.
Uses as a plant-based sweetener
Because of its sweet taste, it is ideal as a sugar substitute. It provides fewer calories than table sugar. If you have doubts about some of them, such as whether dextrose is the same as glucose, or the types of natural and artificial sweeteners available, you can also check sucrose or other types like sweeteners for diabetics. It is very important to keep in mind the distinction between them. So, if you’re interested in watching your weight or losing it, it’s better to use this than any of the known sugars.
Its metabolism is slower when taken. It does not cause sugar spikes in the blood.
If you want to buy vegetable glycerin, you should purchase it with USP grade. It must have at least 99% purity and a sweet taste.
For making toothpaste
By providing sweetness, toothpaste has a better taste, preventing one of sugar’s side effects: cavities. And since glycerin does not cause cavities, it can be safely included in toothpaste and food.
After brushing, it leaves a white, shiny, and smooth appearance. The drawback of using it for this purpose is that since it is oily, it often leaves a layer on the enamel of the teeth, which gives the smoothness when passing the tongue over the teeth.
What are glycerin suppositories used for?
The active ingredient called glycerol has laxative effects. It has the property of softening stool when it is hard. Glycerin suppositories should be inserted into the anus and produce a mild local irritant action. They stimulate bowel movement and relieve constipation.
Many doctors recommend them to people with a tendency to reduced bowel movements. Glycerin in suppositories should be used occasionally, for specific moments, and only if you are over 12 years old.
Uses of natural food-grade glycerin
In this form, it is a lipid of natural origin. Natural glycerin has uses such as:
It is obtained through natural fermentation processes or through digestion. For the food industry, it is effective because it has few calories compared to other sweeteners.
It also acts as a food preservative and is present in wine and liquors.
This type of lipid is widely used as distilled glycerol E-422 or E-471 (from animal or plant sources, mono and diglycerides of fatty acids) in the production of margarine and industrial bakery products. Since it is an emulsifier, it helps mix immiscible elements, and in addition to its sweet taste, it is present in countless processed foods. If you add food-grade glycerin to your desserts and cakes, they will have a juicy texture and better organoleptic properties, maintaining these qualities down to -20 ºC.
Differences between glycerin for soap and food-grade glycerin
There are some differences in its chemical structure that cause it to take a solid or liquid state.
Glycerin for making soap is hard. To use it, it needs to be heated in a double boiler or in the microwave. With a little heat, it becomes liquid, allowing you to handle it and mix it with other ingredients to make homemade soap.
Food-grade glycerin or vegetable glycerin is liquid. Its texture is soft, similar to oil. It sticks to the tip of your finger when you touch it.
Good morning, I would like to know if glycerin helps to make more foam in handmade soaps. I would appreciate it if you could clarify this doubt, as the comments on glycerin’s uses seem good. Thank you.
You need to add a higher proportion of the product you’re using as soap.
Sometimes we don’t even know what things are for, and we can be ignorant in many ways. I’ve let bottles of glycerin go to waste because I didn’t know how to use them. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Now I know how to use it, and I’m going to buy some.
Thank you for sharing your opinion. The truth is, glycerin can be used for many things. I’m glad the information was helpful to you.