Glycerin

Glycerin (also known as glycerol) is a simple polyol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is sweet-tasting and non-toxic. The glycerol backbone is found in those lipids known as glycerides.

Chemical Structure

Glycerin is a three-carbon compound with three hydroxyl (OH) groups. The OH groups form hydrogen bonds with water, making glycerol soluble in water. This chemical structure is also responsible for glycerin's hygroscopic properties, which allow it to absorb water from the air.

Uses

Glycerin is used in various industries and applications due to its versatility. These include:

• Pharmaceuticals: Glycerin is used as a solvent, sweetener, and humectant in pharmaceutical formulations Pharmaceutical_formulation.
• Food Industry: It serves as a humectant, solvent, and sweetener in the food and beverage industry.
• Cosmetics: Glycerin is often used in cosmetics and personal care products due to its ability to attract water from the environment and the lower layers of skin (dermis) increasing the amount of water in the surface layers of skin Dermis.
• Chemical Manufacturing: Glycerin is used as a chemical intermediate in the production of various chemicals.

Health Effects

Glycerin is generally considered safe for consumption and topical use. However, it can cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, bloating, nausea, vomiting, thirst, and diarrhea in some people.

See Also

• Glycerides
• Pharmaceutical_formulation
• Dermis

Glycerin Resources
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