How Do Desiccants Work?

Desiccants are compounds that are made up of molecules that absorb moisture from the air. A desiccant is basically a hydrophobic material, which means that it attracts moisture to itself; in contrast to a humidifier, it is rather the opposite, an inert substance that maintains a stable condition of dryness around its surroundings. More commonly encountered pre-packed desiccants include liquids that retain water in them.

Desiccants

In addition to drying dry skin, some desiccants work well in terms of moisturizing skin, even after they have been thoroughly dried. Some manufacturers also claim that their products are hypoallergenic and germ free. These claims may not be true but desiccants work very well in reducing dryness on the surface of skin. They have no harsh effects on sensitive and inflamed skin.

Desiccant manufacturers do not always state which properties and ingredients make up a particular desiccant; it all depends on what type of desiccant they’re producing. Some of the more commonly known properties of desiccants include: high thermal conductivity, water evaporation capacity, non-freezing properties, and biodegradability. However, it’s important for consumers to note that desiccants don’t necessarily work for every product. It is advisable for consumers to take into account the different properties of the product before deciding whether to buy it or not.