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Compounds and Cleaning · Compound · Humectant and skin protectant

Glycerin

A thick, sweet, non-toxic liquid that draws and holds moisture. Used for skin care, alcohol-free tinctures, and even as a matchless way to start a fire by dripping it onto potassium permanganate.

INDEFINITEMULTI-USEWorks without power

Quick facts

Property
Draws in moisture
Form
Clear syrup
Hazard class
Low
Shelf life
Indefinite
Storage
Sealed glass or HDPE
What to avoid
Open air

See everything glycerin must never touch

What it's good for

Skin care

Moisturizer and protectant

Tinctures

Alcohol-free extracts

Fire trick

Ignites with permanganate

Humectant

Keeps mixes from drying

It pulls moisture from the air, which is what lets it soften skin and keep mixtures from drying out.

Good to know

A molecule that grabs water. Glycerin is a humectant: in humid air it draws moisture onto skin, but used undiluted in very dry air it can pull moisture out instead, which is why it is almost always diluted. It is also a byproduct of soap-making, left behind in every batch of lye soap, part of why handmade soap feels less drying than stripped commercial bars.

Handling and safety

It pulls in water

As a humectant it softens skin, but can feel sticky used undiluted.

Alcohol-free extracts

It makes tinctures for those who avoid alcohol, though weaker.

The fire trick

A few drops on potassium permanganate ignite after a short delay; the recipe is in Chapter 29.

Food and skin safe

Food-grade glycerin is non-toxic and gentle on skin.

Eight jobs it does

  • Skin moisturizer for chapped skin
  • Alcohol-free tincture base
  • Wound and burn salve ingredient
  • Antifreeze mixed with water
  • Base for soap and toothpaste
  • Anti-fog for glasses and goggles
  • Preserve leaves and botanicals
  • Leather and rubber softener

If it goes bad Pulls water from the air and dilutes. Still usable for most jobs.

What I buy

My pick: glycerin on Amazon.

Recipes for glycerin

Questions this answers

Tap a question for the short answer.

What is glycerin used for?

Glycerin is a humectant that draws and holds moisture, so it moisturizes chapped skin and keeps mixtures from drying out. It also serves as an alcohol-free tincture base, a salve ingredient, antifreeze mixed with water, a soap and toothpaste base, an anti-fog for glasses, a leather softener, and a fire starter dripped onto potassium permanganate.

How long does glycerin last in storage?

Glycerin has an indefinite shelf life. Left exposed, it pulls water from the air and dilutes itself, but even then it is still usable for most jobs.

How do I store glycerin?

Store glycerin in sealed glass or HDPE and keep it away from open air. Because it draws in moisture, an unsealed container will slowly dilute, though diluted glycerin still works for most jobs.

Keep going

Read nextPotassium PermanganateA purple oxidizer that strips iron and odor from water (though it does not make it safe to drink), treats some skin conditions, and even starts a fire when a little glycerin is added. A tiny amount colors a lot of water.Compounds and Cleaning · Compound

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Compounds and Cleaning · CompoundSource: Prepper's Chemical Survival Guide, Chapter 10, p. 63 · Last reviewed 2026-09-18

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