• Soap is one of the many places people use glycerinhandmade soap image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
  
  Glycerin gel, though technically more of a viscous fluid, is a byproduct of processing animal fats, particularly in the making of soap. Though it is a part of the explosive compound nitroglycerin, which is used to make dynamite, glycerin by itself is perfectly safe. It is used in a wide variety of products from cleaning supplies to soaps and lotions.
  
  

Soaps

• Glycerin was first found as a byproduct of the soap making process, though the technology to properly extract it didn't appear for a while. Most large commercial soap manufacturers choose to remove glycerin from their soaps and sell it to other manufacturers. This process is expensive, however, and leaving a bit of glycerin in the soap actually makes better soap, so many small independent soap companies choose to leave it in. This helps give their soaps a moisturizing quality and also changes the color and consistency.
  
  

Lotions

• The glycerin that major soap brands remove from their soaps is commonly sold to industrial manufacturers, but much of it is also retained by the companies for use in lotions and skin cremes. Glycerin tends to attract the perfect amount of moisture to keep skin from drying and cracking. Because of its ability to attract and retain moisture as well as its gentle nature, glycerin-based lotions and cremes are used as a cure and preventative measure for people with eczema and psoriasis.
  
  

Health Products

• Glycerin find regular use in medicines and in hospitals. Cough syrups and cold treatments take advantage of its naturally beneficial antiseptic and lubrication qualities to help soothe sore throats. Many of the smooth gel caps that people take have shells made partially of glycerin, making them easier to swallow. Furthermore, glycerin is sometimes used as a suppository laxative because it not only lubricates dry membranes but also irritates the colon, encouraging bowel movements.
  
  

Food Products

• Because glycerin is odorless and colorless but also sweet tasting, it is used as a sweetener in some cases. It has fewer calories than normal sugar and is almost as sweet. It can also be used to preserve canned fruits because it helps to eliminate moisture loss. These same moisture retentive properties are also used to help keep cake icing and candies moist while also providing a bit of extra sweetness.