Vegetable Glycerin
General Description
Vegetable glycerin is a water-soluble liquid. It is a clear and colorless liquid with a flat aroma and sweet flavor that is similar to syrup. It stores well under dark and cool conditions and is extremely hazardous to light exposure.
Properties and Uses
Vegetable glycerin is suitable for food and cosmetic use with no added stabilizers, preservatives and other ingredients. It is a great humectant that helps absorb excess water from the surrounding air to moisturize the skin. It also acts as a natural preservative for the cleansing oil and mixes well with both oil and water.
It is an ingredient that is commonly used for moisturizer, facial treatment, facial cream, facial cleanser, bath oil, bath salts, bath soak, toothpaste, conditioner, exfoliant, scrub, body wash, shampoo and sunscreen.
Origin and History
Vegetable glycerin traces its origin from Malaysia. It is extracted glycerol fats using the hydrolysis method. Basically, fats and oils of a raw ingredient (usually palm or coconut oils) are split into crude glycerol fats through the combined action of water, temperature and pressure.
Recipes
Cleansing Oil Recipes
Ingredients may vary according to use and skin type, see Recipes below. Prepare the cleansing oil by mixing all of the ingredients in a glass bottle. To use, shake the bottle well. Apply on damp clean face and massage for about 2 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Apply facial toner and facial cream after rinsing. Use twice a day. The cleansing oil maybe kept for about one month.
For oily and acne prone skin, mix together 3 tbsp. aloe vera juice, 3 tbsp. liquid castile soap, 3 tbsp. sunflower oil, 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin, 3 drops lemon essential oil and 3 drops tea tree essential oil.
For normal and combination skin, mix together 3 tbsp. aloe vera juice, 3 tbsp. liquid castile soap, 3 tbsp. sunflower oil, 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin, 3 drops lemon essential oil, and 3 drops orange essential oil.
For dry and mature skin, mix together 3 tbsp. aloe vera juice, 3 tbsp. liquid castile soap, 3 tbsp. sunflower oil, 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin, 3 drops carrot seed essential oil, and 3 drops geranium essential oil.
For sensitive skin, mix together 3 tbsp. aloe vera juice, 3 tbsp. liquid castile soap, 3 tbsp. sunflower oil, 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin, 3 drops German chamomile essential oil, and 3 drops helichrysum essential oil.
For the whole body, mix together 3 tbsp. aloe vera juice, 3 tbsp. liquid castile soap, 3 tbsp. sunflower oil, 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin, 3 drops peppermint essential oil, and 3 drops rosemary essential oil.
Toothpaste
In a small bowl, combine 5 teaspoons baking soda (whitener), ¼ teaspoon salt (antiseptic and abrasive), 5 teaspoons vegetable glycerin, 10 drops spearmint or peppermint essential oil. Mix all ingredients thoroughly to toothpaste consistency (adjust the quantity of glycerine to reach desired consistency). Spoon into a wide mouth jar and cover.
Mouthwash
Prepare and measure ingredients. For this recipe, you will need: 1 cup water, ¼ cup soda drink, 4 teaspoons vegetable glycerine, 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel, 10 drops spearmint or peppermint essential oil.
Heat water to boiling point and add soda, glycerine and aloe vera gel. Remove from heat and allow it cool to room temperature. Add essential oil and shake well. Pour into a clean bottle then cap.
Hair Moisturizer
Combine 3 parts aloe vera gel and 1 part vegetable glycerin and mix well. Apply to hair as a moisturizer.
Hair Spritzer
In a spray bottle, combine together 8 ounces distilled water, 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel, 1-2 drops of vegetable glycerine, 1-2 drops essential oil, 15 drops grapefruit seed extract. Shake well before every use.
After Bath Body Splash
Ingredients may vary according to the desired scent, see Recipes below. Prepare body splash by pouring all ingredients to a spray bottle then shake it well.
Garden Blend: 25% alcohol, 9% vegetable glycerin, 33% neroli hydrosol, 32% lavender hydrosol, 0.6% geranium essential oil, 0.4% lavender essential oil
Rose Blend: 25% alcohol, 9% vegetable glycerin, 65% rose hydrosol, 0.25% rose essential oil, 0.75% ylang ylang essential oil
Lavender Blend: 25% alcohol, 9% vegetable glycerin, 65% lavender hydrosol, 1% lavender essential oil
Citrus Blend: 25% alcohol, 9% vegetable glycerin, 50% neroli hydrosol, 15% lemon hydrosol, 0.25% lavender essential oil, 0.30% sweet orange essential oil, 0.45% grapefruit essential oil
Face and Body Cream
Prepare and measure ingredients. For this recipe, you will need: 1/3 cup coconut oil, 1/8 cup sweet almond oil, 1/8 cup vegetable glycerin, 2/3 cup rosewater, 1 tbsp liquid lecithin, ¼ oz. grated beeswax, essential oils (use any blend according to your preference).
Place coconut oil, sweet almond oil and beeswax in a heat proof bowl and heat in a double boiler until the wax is completely melted. In a separate bowl, combine lecithin, rosewater and vegetable glycerin. Add the water mixture to the wax mixture in a thin stream, blending thoroughly. Remove from heat and cool to 140 degrees. Add essential oils until essential oils are incorporated. Cool to 120 degrees then transfer into a clean jar, cap, and store in the refrigerator.
Safety Precautions
Glycerine may draw moisture from the skin in an excessively dry environment, such as air-conditioned or overheated rooms.
