Ingredient
Glycerine
Benefits
Natural
Discover the laws of attraction with glycerine, a humectant and a carrier that locks in moisture and effective ingredients, such as essential oils, into the skin.
Where do we get it?
Lush UK sources plant-based, GMO and palm-free glycerine from Europe.
With seven manufacturing sites across the globe, this information may vary depending on where your Lush products were made.
How is it made?
When a caustic or highly alkaline material like sodium hydroxide is added to animal fats or vegetable oils (such as olive or coconut) glycerine is formed along with a fatty part, which is actually soap. Lush’s glycerine is derived from vegetable oils so it’s completely vegan friendly.
What are the benefits of glycerine?
- Acts as a humectant
- Hydrates the skin and hair
- Carries other ingredients to the skin
- Adds a sweet taste to oral care products
- Reduces the need for synthetic preservatives
- Can give a warm sensation on the skin
What are the benefits of a humectant?
Our skin naturally contains water, which we can easily lose due to heat, air conditioning, age, alcohol and many other factors. When the skin is dehydrated, it looks thirsty and dull. Drinking more water can be a good solution but is often not sufficient. This is where humectants turn out to be excellent allies for our skin. It's a range of ingredients that attract moisture from their environment, hold it on the skin and draw it into the deeper layers. Well-hydrated, the skin appears fresh, fuller and plumper.
An intensely marketed humectant, hyaluronic acid seems to be everywhere in cosmetic products today. However, at Lush, we think glycerine is a better option because it has a lower molecular weight and therefore penetrates the skin more efficiently.
Finally, by absorbing water into their structure, humectants create an inhospitable environment for microbes, reducing the risk of product spoilage and the need for synthetic preservatives. With its rather liquid consistency and solvent properties, glycerine can also replace the water in product formulations and thus help preserve them even more.
Unique stories
Glycerine’s name is derived from glykys, the Ancient Greek word for ‘sweet’. It makes a good sweetener and unlike sugar, it is not used as a food source by the bacteria found in the mouth, which means it does not contribute to tooth decay or plaque.