Glycerine, also known as glycerol, is a viscous, colourless, odourless liquid that is an intermediate product of alcoholic fermentation and is a member of triglycerides. It is highly valued for its moisturising, emollient and regenerating properties and is therefore widely used in cosmetic products.
This substance is also used in natural cosmetics but in a macerated version. They are called hydro-glycerine macerates, as they combine water and glycerine in a hydrolysis process. These hydroglycerinated extracts are used to extract plant phytochemicals, i.e. the active plant ingredients that act on the skin or the body, such as flavonoids, terpenes, tannins or water-soluble vitamins, which have antioxidant, moisturising and anti-inflammatory effects.