When you have dry skin, especially in the winter, lotion helps because it contains chemicals that attract water. These chemicals sometimes even pull moisture from the air, with chemicals called humectants or moisture controllers.

One of the best-known humectants is glycerin. It’s considered by some experts to be the most effective moisture controller available, because it combines well with other therapeutic compounds and is nontoxic. Also called glycerol, it is a sugar alcohol. Which is sweet, but lower in calories than table sugar. Sugar alcohols occur in nature or can be produced synthetically. Glycerin is a thick, sticky liquid, with no color or odor and it’s safe to eat. In addition to lotions, it’s used to make food, soap and many medicines such as cough syrup. Glycerin has been known since the late 1700’s.

Glycerin also provides a magic trick for one popular confection: chocolate covered cherries. These popular Christmas and Valentine treats are composed of a maraschino cherry, surrounded by a liquid syrup, all contained in an outer shell of chocolate. But how is it done? In manufacturing, the candied cherry is coated with fondant, a frosting made of sugar, water and gelatin. However, this fondant includes glycerin. Finally, the fondant coated cherry is covered in chocolate. Quickly, the glycerin attracts so much water from the cherry that the fondant dissolves, making a liquid syrup inside the chocolate shell.

But do you want to know a glycerin trick? It makes the best bubble mix ever! By adding glycerin to soap bubble mix, you create a thicker skin and reduce evaporation. Bubbles are stronger, bigger and more likely to bounce than pop. Enjoy!

A special thanks goes to the scientists at Queen Foods for reviewing today's episode!

Learn more

• Why Does Sugar Dissolve?
• Do Artificial Sweeteners Like Aspartame Have Calories?
• Can Artificial Sweeteners Raise Blood Sugar?

Sources

An Overview of Glycerin for the Skin, Very Well Health

How to Make Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries, The Kitchen is My Playground

5 Ways to Use Glycerin in Baking, Queen Foods

The Complete Guide to Household Chemicals by Robert J. Palma, Mark Espenscheid · 1995 Publisher: Prometheus Books. Original from: Pennsylvania State University.