Glycerolwater

Glycerolwater refers to any liquid mixture of glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol) and water in varying proportions. Glycerol is a colorless, viscous, hygroscopic polyol with a sweet taste. Water is the universal solvent. When combined, glycerol and water are completely miscible, forming a single homogeneous liquid across all compositions and temperatures relevant to everyday use.

The physical properties depend on the glycerol concentration. Increasing glycerol makes the mixture more viscous and denser; the boiling point rises, while vapor pressure decreases. The freezing point is lowered relative to pure water, and glycerol acts as an antifreeze agent, helping to prevent freezing in solutions used for cryopreservation and other temperature-controlled applications. The refractive index and other properties also change with composition and temperature.

Preparation is straightforward: simply mix glycerol and water in the desired ratios. The mixture can be used directly for many applications without further chemical reaction.

Uses include pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations as humectants and solvents, food-grade additives, and components in cryoprotective solutions. Glycerolwater blends are common in formulations where moisture retention, texture, and stability are important, and they serve as convenient solvents for a range of chemicals.

Safety and storage: glycerol is broadly regarded as safe for many applications, though concentrated solutions can have laxative effects if ingested and may cause irritation with improper handling. Store in sealed containers at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.