Glycerin

The Basics On Glycerin

What is Glycerin?

Also called glycerol or glycerine, glycerin is present in all natural lipids (fats), whether animal or vegetable.

What are other names for Glycerin?

1,2,3-PROPANETRIOL, 1,2,3-TRIHYDROXYPROPANE, 1,2,3PROPANETRIOL, CONCENTRATED GLYCERIN, GLYCERIN, GLYCERINE, GLYCEROL, GLYCYL ALCOHOL, and VEGETABLE GLYCERIN

What is Glycerin used for?

As well as being a strong humectant and skin hydration agent, glycerin has also been shown to function as: a skin exfoliant2 the improver of skin water absorption and retention3 a repairing and stabilizing agent for the skin barrier4 an agent for reduction of skin irritation and dermatiti

How Glycerin is classified

Skin-Replenishing, Skin-Restoring

Recommendations for using Glycerin during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Glycerin During Pregnancy

What we know about using Glycerin while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

In a two-generation reproductive study in rats, (n=10/sex), the administration of glycerin (0, 20%; ~ 2000 mg/kg/d in drinking water) for 8 weeks before mating until weaning of pups produced no adverse effects on the reproductive efficiency of the parents (F0 generation), or the growth, fertility, or reproductive performance of the untreated F1 generation.3 No histological changes occurred in the tissues of either the F1 or F2 generations. The onset of estrous cycles, weight gain, and microscopic observations of the endocrine organs were comparable to those of the controls in both the F1 and the F2 generation. In the F0 generation, all 10 females became pregnant with similar litter size as controls (9.0 vs. 8.1). In the F1 generation, 9 of 10 females became pregnant. When glycerin (13.1, 60.8, 282 and 1310 mg/kg/d) was administered by gavage to Wistar rats (n=25-28) on days 6 through 15 of gestation, there were no adverse effects observed in the dams.35 The NOAEL for maternal toxicity and teratogenicity was 1310 mg/kg/d. The number of pregnancies was: 23 of 25, 24 of 25, 22 of 28, 22 of 25 for 13.1, 60.8, 282 and 1310 mg/kg/d, respectively, and 21 of 25 for controls. The number of implantations, resorptions, litter sizes, weights, and sex ratio were similar among groups, as were the incidences of external, visceral, and skeletal abnormalities. When glycerin (12.8, 59.4, 276 and 1280 mg/kg/d) was administered by gavage to CD-1 mice (n=25) on days 6 through 15 of gestation, there were no adverse effects observed in the dams.35 The NOAEL for maternal toxicity and teratogenicity was 1280 mg/kg/d. The number of pregnancies was: 14 of 15, 12 of 15, 10 of 18, 13 of 20 and 13 of 15 for controls, 12.8, 59.4, 276 and 1280 mg/kg, respectively. The number of implantations, resorptions, litter sizes, weights, and sex ratio were similar among groups as were external, visceral, and skeletal abnormalities. When glycerin (11.8, 54.8, 254.5 and 1180 mg/kg/d) was administered by gavage to Dutch-belted rabbits (n=25) on days 6 through 18 of gestation, there were no adverse effects found in the dams.35 The NOAEL for maternal toxicity and teratogenicity was 1180 mg/kg/d. The number of pregnancies was: 22 of 25, 23 of 25, 20 of 25, 22 of 25 and 21 of 25 for controls, 11.8, 54.8, 254.5 and 1180 mg/kg/d, respectively. The number of implantations, resorptions, litter sizes, weights, and sex ratio were similar among groups, as were external, visceral, and skeletal abnormalities. Male Fertility – Non-Human Glycerin injected into the testes of rats (50-200 µL and 862 mg/kg body weight) and monkeys (119 mg/kg body weight) suppressed spermatogenesis (Table 6). 36-38 Male Fertility – Human In a fertility study of male employees (n=64) who manufacture synthetic glycerin, there were no differences observed in sperm counts and percent normal forms compared with a control group (n=63) who did not work with glycerin (Table 6). 39 G

General safety info about Glycerin from CIR

This is a safety assessment of glycerin as used in cosmetics, which functions as: a denaturant; fragrance ingredient; hair conditioning agent; humectant; oral care agent; oral health care drug; skin protectant; skin-conditioning agent – humectant; and viscosity decreasing agent. The Panel reviewed relevant animal and human data related to the ingredient. The Panel concluded that glycerin was safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the practices of use and concentration of this safety assessment.

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Glycerin

Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask with Vitamin C; belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb; NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder