Ingredient
Glycerin (Glycerol)
Glycerin remains one of the most established and widely used moisturizing ingredients in cosmetics and personal care. Its strong humectant performance, broad formulation compatibility, affordability, and suitability for skincare, body care, haircare, and cleansing products make…
Glycerin remains one of the most established and widely used moisturizing ingredients in cosmetics and personal care. Its strong humectant performance, broad formulation compatibility, affordability, and suitability for skincare, body care, haircare, and cleansing products make it highly relevant to the continued “skinification” of body care in 2026. Ingredient suppliers are also emphasizing hydration, skin resilience, and multifunctional personal-care formulations. BASF, for example, continues to develop hydration-focused cosmetic concepts and ingredient technologies for skin and hair care.
Trend / research
What it does
Humectant; attracts and retains water in the outer layers of the skin; helps improve skin hydration and softness; supports a smooth skin feel; can reduce the perception of dryness; also functions as a solvent and formulation aid. BASF describes glycerin-containing cosmetic systems as providing moisturizing benefits, including enhanced and sustained hydration.
Notes
Biological / industrial source: Glycerin can be produced from plant-derived vegetable oils (palm, palm kernel, soybean, and other renewable oils) as well as through synthetic chemical processes. Commercial vegetable glycerin is commonly a co-product of oil/fat processing and biodiesel production; suppliers offer palm-derived and soy-derived 99.7% USP grades.
R&D / supplier: BASF Personal Care — glycerin-based hydration technology, including Hydagen® Aquaporin (Glycerin and Glyceryl Glucoside). Other suppliers include specialty cosmetic raw-material distributors.
Origin: Global (North America, Europe, Asia); vegetable-derived or synthetic depending on grade.
Evidence maturity: Very High — Established / Mature Ingredient.
Approx. retail price: about US$9–$60 depending on purity, package size, and grade.
Publishing notes: Mature hydration ingredient; classify under Hydration & Barrier. Key humectant in eos Pumpkin Chai Body Lotion.
