Vegetable glycerin is a clear, odorless, and slightly sweet-tasting liquid that is derived from plant oils such as palm, soy, and coconut oils. It is widely used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries due to its moisturizing properties and sweet flavor. Here are some details about vegetable glycerin:
Positive:
- It can help moisturize skin, relieve constipation, and improve hydration and athletic performance.
- It is vegan, food grade, and Non-GMO.
- It is a natural source ingredient with emollient-like properties which can smooth and soften the skin and it assists the skin surface to retain moisture.
Negative:
- Some research suggests that it may cause an adverse reaction in some people.
- It is listed in the PETAs Caring Consumer guide as a byproduct of soap manufacture which typically uses animal fat.
Ingredients or materials:
- Vegetable glycerin is made by heating triglyceride-rich vegetable fats such as palm, soy, and coconut oils under pressure or together with a strong alkali, such as lye. This causes the glycerin to split away from the fatty acids and mix together with water, forming an odorless, sweet-tasting, syrup-like liquid.
- It consists of 99.7% glycerol and conforms to USP standards.
- It is often sourced from coconut, palm, palm kernel, and rapeseed oil.
In summary, vegetable glycerin is a versatile liquid that has many uses in various industries. It is a natural and vegan ingredient that can help moisturize skin and improve hydration. However, some people may have an adverse reaction to it, and it may be sourced from animal products in some cases.
