Common Name(s): Vegetable glycerol,plant-derived glycerin,sustainable glycerin
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides plant-derived glycerin humectancy with explicit vegan natural credentials.
Why It's Used: Credentialed natural humectant — vegetable glycerin's explicit plant origin provides the clean beauty and vegan credentials alongside glycerin's unmatched humectancy, safety, and barrier repair for natural cosmetic positioning.
How It Works: Glycerin (glycerol) from plant oil triglyceride hydrolysis during biodiesel production. chemically identical to synthetic glycerin but with plant-origin documentation. sustainable byproduct of renewable biodiesel production from rapeseed, soy, or palm.
Typically Found In: Natural cosmetics,vegan products,clean beauty — identical function to standard glycerin
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – humectant
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%–40%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - feedstock declaration required
Halal Status: Unverified - feedstock declaration required (plant, animal and petrochemical routes all exist)
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: origin-dependent: the same inci exists in plant, animal and petrochemical versions and the name does not discriminate. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 2026-01-05 00:00:00 -0800
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Vegetable glycerin's biodiesel byproduct origin provides circular economy sustainability: biodiesel production from plant triglycerides generates glycerin as a co-product (approximately 10% by mass of biodiesel). this abundant sustainable supply from renewable feedstocks makes vegetable glycerin one of cosmetics' most genuinely sustainable primary ingredients.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,cir safety assessment