Cosmetics

As it is harmless for health and environment, skin-friendly and odourless, glycerine is used both as a humectant and an emollient in cosmetics, personal care products and household products. It is often used as a substitute to sorbitol but tastes better and is is more soluble.

In creams, glycerine is a moisturizing component. It supports skin care and, at the same time, prevents the cream from drying out. As glycerine is also odorless, it is a good base for adding perfume and is used as a substance carrier in personal and hair care products.

The production of toothpaste, for example, is a large area of application. Here glycerine is used to improve the taste, prevent dehydration and lend a shine. Toothpaste can contain 20-30% glycerine.

Foodstuffs

There is also broad scope for the use of glycerine in foodstuffs and beverages: as a preservative, a consistency and flavour enhancer, as a solvent for flavours and food colours in soft drinks and confectionary. In sweets and cakes as well as casings for chocolates, meat and cheese it serves as a humectant and emollient. It is also used as a sweetener, and a filler in low-fat food products.

Pharmaceutical

Glycerine is one of the most often used ingredients in medication. It acts as a solvent, moistener, humectant, and bodying agent in tinctures, elixirs, and ointments.

Other well-known uses include gargles, cough medicines, capsules, lozenges, suppositories, and anaesthetics, as well as an additive in antibiotics and antiseptics.

Chemical Uses

In the technical field, glycerine is used to manufacture antifreeze agents, among other things. The solidification point of refined glycerine 99.5% is +18°C. Mixed in water at a concentration of 66.7%, its solidification point is 
-46°C.

This property is excellent for glycerine’s use as an antifreeze agent in formulations. As a chemical alcohol, glycerine is also needed in numerous reactions in the production of chemicals. Here the range of applications is very broad. It is also commonly used as a lubricant.

Resins

Glycerine is commonly used in the production of various resins, and in various applications in the resin industry. It is used in surface coatings and paints. As well as a softener and plasticiser to impart flexibility, pliability, and toughness.

It is also used as a plasticiser in cellophane.

Agriculture

Animal feed also benefits from the advantages glycerine offers: it is used in dry feed to store moisture and improve the taste. In veterinary medicine, glycerine is used as a source of glucose in bovine ketosis.

Due to its superior hygroscopic or humectant nature; by which it attracts and retains moisture under unfavourable temperature and climatic conditions, glycerine has been used to assist in the transportation of agricultural products as well as in the long term preservation of flowers. Glycerine preservation is said to preserve flowers for up to 12 months.