Glycerin is actually part of the skin's own natural lipid structure, so it can be very useful in treating eczema. As a moisturizing ingredient, glycerin helps the skin to attract and regain its own natural moisture, leaving it feeling soft. Rather than sitting on top of the skin, glycerin softens the skin, allowing it to breathe. While some people believe that this softening is the result of glycerin attracting moisture to the skin, some researchers believe that glycerin has some other properties all its own which are helpful to the skin.



One of most important attributes of glycerin is that it is "hygroscopic," which means that it absorbs water from the air. If you left a bottle of pure glycerin exposed to air in your kitchen, it would take moisture from the air and eventually it would become 80 percent glycerin and 20 percent water.

Glycerin has a long history of safe use in personal care products. It is on the Food and Drug Administration's list of ingredients that are generally regarded as safe.

Eczema is often dry and itchy, so applying moisturizers (like glycerin) to keep the skin moist is part of an effective treatment plan. Frequent moisturizing locks in the skin's own moisture to prevent dryness and cracking. One of the best ways to moisturize is to apply glycerin lotion after bathing. When bathing it is important to avoid irritating the skin by using harsh soaps or body sponges. The addition of pure oils in the bath is also helpful in many cases.

People with eczema should avoid personal care products that contain alcohol. All laundry should be washed in hypoallergenic detergent and should be rinsed twice to ensure that all detergents are removed from clothing, sheets and linens. It may also be helpful to wash new clothes before they are worn to remove excess dyes and fabric finishers, which can irritate the skin. Eczema suffers should wear clothes that are made of 100 percent cotton and sleep on linens that are made of 100 percent cotton. Synthetic fibers contain substances that can aggravate eczema symptoms.

Because no two people are alike, and even with pure and natural ingredients, some individuals may develop an allergic reaction that is unique to them. As with any product, be sure to discontinue use if you experience discomfort or unpleasant side effects that may mean this product is no compatible with your body's chemistry. For more info see on treatment of eczema.

There are many treatments available that are used to treat eczema symptoms. In some cases topical prescription creams, like elidel, are used to relieve the itching and heal skin. Some patients benefit from phototherapy which incorporates the use of UVB to help improve skin problems associated with eczema. Some people make dietary changes to help lessen eczema symptoms.