Using Glycerites in Skincare
Glycerites can also be wonderful ingredients to incorporate into natural skincare products. They not only add the beneficial properties of the extracted herbs, but glycerin itself is an excellent humectant that attracts moisture to the skin. Glycerites can be incorporated into creams, lotions, serums, toners, and masks at a concentration of 2-5%.
Some herbs that make nice glycerites for skin care include:
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- Calendula flowers
- Gotu kola
- Lavender
- Helichrysum
- Red clover
- Plantain
- Rose petals
When making glycerites for skincare, it’s important to use only fresh, high-quality plant material to avoid contamination. To ensure adequate preservation, it’s best to include the glycerites in the water phase of a recipe and include a preservative.
You can also mix glycerites with gums like xanthan or guar to thicken them. Keep in mind glycerites contain water in addition to glycerin, so they may cause gums to clump. It’s usually better to mix gums with pure glycerin first before adding glycerites.
It’s important to note that if you plan to sell skincare products containing homemade glycerites, you’ll need to get the glycerites tested to ensure they meet safety standards. For this reason, many skincare formulators choose to buy glycerites from reputable suppliers instead of making their own.
However, making glycerites at home for personal use can be a fun and rewarding way to capture the goodness of plants. It connects us with the traditional art of herbal medicine making in a really approachable way. You can even use glycerites made from herbs or flowers you’ve grown yourself!
Shelf Life and Storage
Glycerites have a shelf life of 1-2 years if stored properly in a cool, dark place. To extend the shelf life and increase the extraction of herbal properties, you can mix in a small amount of alcohol when making glycerites. A common proportion is to use 75% glycerite and 25% alcohol tincture.
I hope this blog post has inspired you to try making your own sweet and delightful herbal glycerites! It’s a simple and satisfying way to harness the power of plants for health and well-being. Remember to start slow if you’re new to taking glycerites, source high-quality ingredients, and always label your creations clearly.
Happy glycerite making!
Interested in learning more about formulating with Glycerites?
Check out our Botanical Body Care Products course here.