Glycerine USP Grade

Product Overview

Glycerine USP Grade, also known as glycerol USP or USP grade glycerin, is a clear, colorless, odorless, and viscous liquid used in personal care, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food, laboratory, and specialty chemical applications. This high-purity glycerine is valued for its excellent moisture-retention properties, formulation stability, and compatibility with water and alcohols.

Glycerine functions as a humectant, solvent, lubricant, viscosity modifier, and processing aid in a wide range of formulations. Compared to technical-grade glycerine, USP-grade glycerine is intended for applications where higher purity, consistency, and quality standards are required.

Key Properties

• Chemical Formula: C₃H₈O₃
• Molecular Weight: 92.09 g/mol
• CAS Number: 56-81-5
• UN Number: Not regulated
• Purity: Typically ≥99%
• Appearance: Clear, colorless, viscous liquid
• Odor: Odorless
• Specific Gravity: ~1.25–1.26
• Flash Point: ~160°C (320°F)
• Boiling Point: ~290°C
• Solubility: Fully miscible with water and alcohols
• Grade: USP

Applications

• Personal Care & Cosmetics: Used as a humectant and moisturizing agent in lotions, creams, soaps, shampoos, skincare products, and other cosmetic formulations.

• Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Formulations: Commonly used as a solvent, carrier, lubricant, and moisture-retaining ingredient in select pharmaceutical and healthcare applications.

• Food & Beverage Processing: Used in certain food-related applications as a moisture-retention agent, solvent, or formulation aid when appropriate for the intended use.

• Laboratory & Research Use: Suitable for quality-sensitive lab, testing, and formulation work requiring high-purity glycerol.

• Chemical Manufacturing: Used as an intermediate, stabilizer, and processing aid in specialty chemical production.

• Cleaning & Specialty Formulations: Helps improve viscosity, moisture retention, and product stability in select cleaning, maintenance, and specialty formulations.

Benefits

• USP grade for higher-purity applications.
• Excellent moisture retention and humectant properties.
• Clear, odorless, and easy to incorporate into formulations.
• Fully miscible with water and alcohols.
• Stable, low-volatility, and versatile across many industries.
• Suitable for personal care, cosmetic, food, laboratory, and specialty chemical uses.
• Biodegradable and lower hazard compared to many traditional solvents.

Handling & Storage

Glycerine USP Grade is generally considered low hazard but may cause mild irritation with prolonged skin or eye contact. Use standard PPE such as gloves and safety glasses when handling.

Store in tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep away from excessive heat, open flames, and sources of contamination. For regulated applications, users should confirm suitability based on their own formulation requirements, documentation, and applicable standards.