Vegetable glycerin is a hydrolytic product. The process of hydrolysis uses high temperature and pressure to break up plant fats into its components of fatty acids, or plant oils, and glycerol, or vegetable glycerin. Glycerin is a sweet and viscous liquid that has no color or smell. It is soluble in water and alcohol, which allows manufacturers to use glycerin as an ingredient in food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic products.
Food
Vegetable glycerin has many chemical properties that make it beneficial for the food industry. The Dow Chemical Co. advertises that its glycerin “can make your products smoother, richer, moister and fresher.” It increases the shelf life of certain foods by decreasing the water activity, and it makes baked goods moister. As a solvent, vegetable glycerin can dilute food colorings and flavoring, and it acts as an emulsifier to combine fat and non-fat components. It is also a sweetener, and is a kosher ingredient.
Skin Applications
Vegetable glycerin is an ingredient in many skin care products, including soap, shampoo and other hair care products, and shaving cream. Vegetable glycerin can make products thicker and smoother. As an alcohol-soluble compound, it also blends well in alcohol-based products. It can make the skin softer because it holds in moisture, and that is one reason why manufacturers commonly add it to their skin lotion formulas. Beyond its cosmetic applications, vegetable glycerin may also have medical benefits for the skin. Glycerol appears to affect the action of phospholipase D, an enzyme with a role in cell signaling. According to researchers at Vanderbilt University, this could potentially increase wound healing and help patients with psoriasis.
Pharmaceuticals
As the Dow Chemical Co. emphasizes, vegetable glycerin has many properties that make it attractive for manufacturers of personal care products. As a thick gel, it is ideal for creams, gel capsule pills, poison ivy rubs and contraceptive jellies. Since it is water soluble, glycerin is often an ingredient in ear washes and eyedrops. Vegetable glycerin is also an ingredient in many toothpastes, oral antiseptics, root canal pastes and other dental care products because of its sweet taste and thick, smooth texture.
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