Mixing Fragrance Oils With Glycerin: Safe Or Not?

Creating your own fragrance is an art, and one that requires careful consideration of ingredients and their quantities. One common question that arises is whether fragrance oil and glycerin can be used together. While it may be technically possible to combine these two substances, it is generally not recommended for several reasons. Firstly, fragrance oils are typically intended for use in body products rather than perfumery, and they may be low-quality imitations that will not result in a pleasant fragrance. Secondly, glycerin is unnecessary in perfumes and can lead to solubility issues, making the fragrance sticky and unpleasant on the skin. It is also hygroscopic, meaning it attracts moisture, which can promote bacterial growth in the blend. Isopropyl alcohol, another common ingredient in fragrance oils, is also not suitable for perfumery due to its unpleasant smell. As such, it is advisable to avoid using fragrance oil with glycerin and opt for other carrier oils or ingredients more suitable for creating fragrances.

Glycerin is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture

Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a colourless, odourless, and syrupy liquid derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. It is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture.

Humectants are a type of moisturising agent that pulls water into the outer layer of the skin from deeper levels of the skin and the air. In skincare products, glycerin is often used with occlusives, another type of moisturising agent, to trap the moisture it draws into the skin.

Glycerin is commonly used in cosmetics, and is the third most frequently reported ingredient in cosmetics after water and fragrance. It is a major ingredient in moisturisers and lotions, and can be used to moisturise and protect the skin.

Glycerin has a hygroscopic property, meaning it can absorb moisture from the surrounding atmosphere. It is also polar, which can cause solubility issues with relatively non-polar substances.

A 2016 study found that glycerin is "the most effective humectant" available to increase hydration on the top layer of the skin, compared to alpha-hydroxy acids, propylene glycol, and butylene glycol.

However, as a humectant, glycerin can draw water from the lower levels of the skin in low-humidity conditions, which can lead to dehydration and blistering, especially if the glycerin is undiluted or not diluted enough. Therefore, it is recommended to use products that contain glycerin as an ingredient, rather than using pure glycerin.

Glycerin is sticky and messy

Glycerin is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. In high concentrations, it tends to feel sticky to the touch. Scientists have described it as lacking "cosmetic elegance".

Glycerin is typically used in very low concentrations (between 2 and 10%) and mixed with additional ingredients such as oil to reduce its stickiness. It is often diluted with water to make it less sticky, with a common ratio being 1 part glycerin to 3 or 4 parts water.

If you are making a face mist, it is recommended to use non-tacky humectants like betaine, sodium PCA, or butylene glycol instead of glycerin. Propanediol can also be added to modify the skin feel slightly, as it has a more greasy feel.

In summary, glycerin is sticky and messy, especially when used in high concentrations. To reduce its stickiness, it is typically diluted with water or mixed with other ingredients.

Glycerin is not a carrier oil

Glycerin is sticky and messy, and will not carry fragrance oils. It is not suitable for use in perfumery. Its use will result in dampness on the skin and clothes, and it will not dry until washed. It is also exothermic, which means it will heat up when you apply it to your skin, and sweating will cause it to become warmer.

Glycerin is not a suitable substitute for carrier oils like fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and other fixed oils. Carrier oils are vegetable oils pulled from the fatty portion of a plant, usually from seeds, kernels, or nuts. They are used to carry essential oils into the skin during topical application and help to dilute the more potent essential oils.

Glycerin is unnecessary in perfumes and will likely cause solubility issues. It is also polar, which means a lot of stuff just won't dissolve in it.

In small trace amounts, glycerin can be added to alcohol to make it sting a little less, and it can prevent sensitive skin from drying out. However, it is not a carrier oil and will not work as a substitute for one in fragrance mixtures.

Glycerin is unnecessary in perfumes

Glycerin is completely unnecessary in perfumes. It is sticky and messy, and can create solubility problems. It can also make your fragrance sticky on the skin.

Glycerin is a humectant, which means it is hygroscopic. In other words, it attracts moisture from the air. This can lead to bacterial growth in your perfume. It is also exothermic, so it will heat up when you apply it to your skin, and will get warmer when you sweat.

Glycerin is polar, so a lot of stuff won't dissolve in it. It is less polar than water, so it will dissolve different stuff, but it's still polar. This can cause solubility issues with relatively non-polar essential oils and grapeseed oils.

If you want to make perfume, it is better to use perfumers alcohol, which is a mixture of ethanol and fragrance.

Isopropyl alcohol is not used in perfumery

Isopropyl alcohol is a good solvent and disinfectant, effective at eliminating body odours. However, its evaporation is very fast, and it leaves no traces. It could be appropriate in very small concentrations, but more diluted applications will have a rather pungent opening.

Perfumes are made from mixes of many fragrant materials, including synthetic aromachemicals, essential oils, absolutes, and resinoids. In perfumery, ethanol is used as a solvent to create a sprayable consistency and help the perfume disperse well on the skin and evaporate.

When creating perfumes, it is important to choose the right type of alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, is not suitable due to its strong smell and other negative characteristics. Instead, perfumers use cosmetic-grade Trade Specific Denatured Alcohol (TSDA), such as SD-40b, or Perfumer's Alcohol, a blend of alcohol and additives used as a base.

In summary, isopropyl alcohol is not used in perfumery due to its strong smell, harshness on the skin, and interference with other ingredients. Perfumers prefer cosmetic-grade alcohols like TSDA or Perfumer's Alcohol, which create a better base for fragrances and help the scent disperse and evaporate effectively.

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