Quick answer
Triglyceride is used in cosmetics as a solvent to help form solutions; Can also serve as a cosmetic preservative; Improves texture as a plasticizer; Characterized as a colorless and odorless liquid
Triacetin
Updated
Triacetin
Purpose
Solvent used in skin care to help form consistent solutions. Can also assist in preserving and enhancing product texture.
Rating
GOOD
Category
Solvent, Texture Enhancer, Preservative
INCI Purpose
ANTIMICROBIAL, FILM FORMING, FRAGRANCE, PLASTICISER, SOLVENT
Alternative Names
At a Glance
Triglyceride is used in cosmetics as a solvent to help form solutions
Can also serve as a cosmetic preservative
Improves texture as a plasticizer
Characterized as a colorless and odorless liquid
Article
Triacetin is a triglyceride, a type of lipid formed from glycerol and three fatty acids. It’s used in cosmetics as a solvent, preservative and texture enhancer.
Triacetin works to help dissolve and dilute substances, creating a consistent formulation. Beyond this, it assists in extending a product’s shelf life as a preservative, preventing the growth of unwanted substances within a product.
As a raw material, it appears as a colorless, viscous liquid. It also has applications in the food industry.
This particular triglyceride is a triester of glycerol, also known as glycerin, a powerful humectant. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel deemed triacetin safe for use in cosmetic formulations. It’s commonly used in concentrations between 0.8% and 4.0%.
See: Glycerin
References