Glycerin (glycerol) is 3-carbon alcohol naturally occurring in the human body. It is the structural backbone triacylglycerol molecules, and can also be converted to a glycolytic substrate for subsequent metabolism. Glycerin is a colorless, odorless, viscous, sweet-tasting liquid. The FDA classifies glycerol as "generally recognized as safe". Glycerin is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a sweetener in syrups, lozenges, and as an excipient in eyewash solutions. As an individual prescription product, glycerin has uses as a hyperosmotic, osmotic diuretic, and ophthalmic agent. It may be used as an eye drop in the treatment of glaucoma to reduce intraocular pressure, as a solution or suppository for short-term treatment of constipation, to evacuate the bowel prior to a colonoscopy, and in some ocular surgeries. It may be given intravenously to reduce pressure inside the brain and used externally on the skin as a moisturizer. Glycerin has many other uses in the agricultural, food and pharmaceutical industry.

Glyceryl 1-stearate (Glycerol monostearate), commonly known as GMS, is an organic molecule used as an emulsifier. GMS is a white, odorless, and sweet-tasting flaky powder that is hygroscopic. It is a glycerol ester of stearicacid. It occurs naturally in the body as a product of the breakdown of fats by pancreatic lipase, and is also found in fatty foods. GMS is a food additive used as a thickening, emulsifying, anti-caking, and preservative agent; an emulsifying agent for oils, waxes, and solvents; a protective coating for hygroscopic powders; a solidifier and control release agent in pharmaceuticals; and a resin lubricant. It is also used in cosmetics and hair care products. Used in antiperspirants and deodorants, baby care, body care, facial care, sun care, conditioners, facial make-up, creams and lotions-skin care, sprayable emulsions, feet, hands and nails, self-tanning, nail grooming and color cosmetics. GMS is largely used in baking preparations to add "body" to the food. It is responsible for giving ice cream and whipped cream its smooth texture. It is sometimes used as an anti-staling agent in bread. Glycerol 1-stearate is affirmed by FDA as GRAS.