Is Glycerol Used in the USA? A Comprehensive Overview

December 15, 2025 •

2 min read

With the North American glycerol market valued at over a billion dollars in 2022, it is clear that glycerol is extensively used in the USA. This versatile, non-toxic compound is a key ingredient in numerous products across the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care sectors.

Quick Summary

This article explores the widespread use of glycerol in the U.S., detailing its applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, and discussing relevant FDA regulations and market trends.

Key Points

Extensive Usage: Glycerol is widely used in the USA across food, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications.
Diverse Functions: It functions as a humectant, solvent, sweetener, lubricant, and thickener in various products.
Biodiesel Byproduct: The growth of the biodiesel industry has created a large surplus of glycerol, making it a readily available and affordable chemical feedstock.
FDA Regulation: The FDA regulates glycerol for use in food (GRAS status) and pharmaceuticals (USP grade), requiring rigorous testing to ensure purity and safety.
Multiple Grades: Different grades of glycerol, from crude to highly-purified USP, are used for varying purposes, from industrial applications to direct human consumption.
Consumer Product Staple: You can find glycerol as a staple ingredient in countless household items, including moisturizing creams, toothpaste, and cough syrups.
Industrial Raw Material: As an industrial chemical, it is used for manufacturing other compounds, in antifreeze, and in certain plastics and foams.

Glycerol’s Extensive Presence in the USA

Glycerol, also commonly referred to as glycerin, is a colorless, odorless, and sweet-tasting liquid with high viscosity. Its versatility in the United States comes from its properties as a humectant, solvent, and sweetener. It can be natural or synthetic. The biodiesel industry has increased glycerol availability as a byproduct.

Food and Beverage Industry Applications

The FDA recognizes glycerol as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for food use. It serves various functions in food:

Moisture retention
Sweetener and filler
Solvent and emulsifier
Texture modifier
Preservative

Personal Care and Cosmetics

Glycerol is a frequent ingredient in US cosmetics for moisturizing and smoothing. Its uses include:

Skin care products
Hair care products
Oral care
Soaps

Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications

Glycerol is important in pharmaceuticals for texture and properties:

Cough syrups
Suppositories and enemas
Topical ointments
Eye care

Industrial Uses

Glycerol also has industrial uses:

Biofuel byproduct
Intermediate chemical
Antifreeze
Plastics and coatings

Comparison of Glycerol Grades and Uses in the USA


Feature	Crude Glycerol	Technical Grade Glycerol	USP Grade Glycerol
Source	Byproduct of biodiesel production.	Refined from crude glycerol.	Highly purified through distillation.
Purity	40-88% glycerol; contains impurities like methanol and salts.	Typically refined to 98% glycerol.	Minimum 99.7% glycerol; meets stringent US Pharmacopeia (USP) standards.
Regulation	Not directly for human use without further refinement.	Suitable for specific industrial applications.	Regulated by the FDA for pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic use.
Primary Uses	Animal feed supplement, energy source, chemical feedstock.	Industrial applications like lubricants, antifreeze, and chemical synthesis.	Personal care, cosmetics, food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

Conclusion

Glycerol is widely used in the USA across many industries, including consumer products and industrial applications. The surplus from biofuel production has increased its availability and importance in the American market.

Important Safety Guidance from the FDA

The FDA has issued guidance for testing glycerol and other drug components for contaminants like diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) to prevent poisonings. This requires thorough testing and supply chain management. The full guidance can be found in the FDA's official guidance on Testing of Glycerin for Diethylene Glycol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chemically, glycerol and glycerin are the same compound (C3H8O3). Commercially, the term "glycerin" typically refers to commercial-grade glycerol with a purity of less than 100%, while "glycerol" refers to the pure chemical compound. USP grade glycerin in the US must meet high purity standards.

Yes, glycerol is considered safe for consumption and has been classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when used as a food additive. The FDA also regulates its purity for use in pharmaceuticals.

In the American food industry, glycerol serves multiple purposes, including as a humectant to retain moisture in baked goods, a sweetener in low-fat foods, a solvent for flavors and colors, and a thickening agent in liquids. It is a versatile ingredient that enhances texture and shelf life.

Yes, the USA has specific regulations, particularly for pharmaceutical and food-grade glycerol. The FDA requires that USP (US Pharmacopeia) grade glycerol, used in pharmaceuticals, must have a minimum purity of 99.7% and pass rigorous testing for contaminants like diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG).

Glycerol is obtained from both natural and synthetic sources. Naturally, it is a byproduct of the saponification of animal fats and vegetable oils. A major source today is the transesterification process used to produce biodiesel, which has led to a significant surplus of crude glycerol.

Beyond food and pharmaceuticals, glycerol is used industrially as a chemical intermediate for producing other compounds like epichlorohydrin, a potential non-toxic antifreeze, and as a component in certain flexible foams and protective coatings.

Yes, glycerol is a very common ingredient in US cosmetics and personal care products. It acts as a highly effective humectant, moisturizer, and emollient in lotions, creams, soaps, and hair care products to keep skin and hair hydrated and smooth.