Top Glycerin Substitutions

Top Glycerin Substitutions
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Glycerin use is primarily recommended for use in warm-weather regimen formulations. However, some people are looking for substitutions for this humectant in their hair care formulations for year-round usage.

Here are a few of the most popular choices for glycerin Substitutions. To protect the integrity of your final product, however, it is important to determine if the substitute you are using is either All-Natural or Synthetic/Artificial/Chemical derived before use.

1. Lecithin Liquid is a wonderful natural, emollient-humectant type (food-grade) additive. It lends wonderful softness and conditioning properties to any hair-skin product. Lecithin liquid may be harvested from various sources (Sunflower, Soy, Lentils, Garbanzo, Eggs), and this popular supplement can be easily found at the local market, health food store or online retailer.

2. Black Strap Molasses is a byproduct of table sugar production from either beets or raw sugarcane. It is usually the darkest molasses available, but it is also the most nutritious when it comes to vitamins and minerals. It is produced when the sugarcane or sugar beets are boiled down into a syrup.

3. Raw Mankua Honey is a product made by bees that gather nectar from the pollen of tiny flowers in bloom on the Mankua Plant (also known as Tea Tree). Long touted for its antimicrobial properties, recent studies have shown Mankua Honey to have regenerative properties when used in skin care products and can also be used to provide added softness and moisture in hair care products. It can also be used in the manner of regular Honey, making it a very versatile ingredient.

4. Raw Honey is a product made by bees that comes from plant nectar.  

5. Panthenol (B-5) is another great natural humectant. B-5 benefits the skin as well as hair.

6. Hyaluronic Acid benefits the skin and hair. Long known for its anti-aging properties in skin care formularies, it is now being tested in hair care products.

7. Honeyquat (Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey) is honey-derived and primarily utilized as a conditioning agent. Over the past few years, Honeyquat use has gained in popularity and it is said to have superior moisture enhancing properties even to that of glycerin.

8. Vegemoist (Glycine Betaine-Extract) is another food grade humectant derived from Beet Sugar. It promotes collagen production in skin care products and aids in shine, hydration and detangling in hair care products. It is typically sold in the form of a water soluble powder (when making Flax Gels, it is best to dissolve in 2tbsp water before adding to your final product) IDTF brand Vegemoist is EcoCert and Kosher.