What Is Glycerine?

Glycerine is a natural substance found in animal and vegetable fats. It is usually obtained as a by-product of soap making, but vegetable glycerine is available from specialist sources.

Glycerine is syrupy in consistency, colorless, odorless, sticky and sweet. If used in small proportions in lotions, creams and toners it acts as an anti-bacterial softener, lubricant, and humectant. If more that 20 percent is used in any recipe it will have the opposite effect and draw water out of the skin.

In order to preserve effectively, glycerine needs to be 20 percent of the total formula, which would be far too much for the average cream or lotion. However, if smaller amounts are combined with four percent benzoin tincture, together they make a good natural preservative.