My Sortkwik pink finger thingy is sweating!

Or bleeding, if you prefer

It’s a pink, fingertip moistener that feels sort of waxy to the touch. I like using it when I have to flip through papers or dollar bills, as it gives your fingertip a decent grip without being oily.

However, occasionally the thing would develop what looks like sweat drops on it’s surface. At first, I thought it was melting, but the area isn’t warm at all and the temperature doesn’t change. If it was too hot, either it should be always sweating or always hold a firm waxy shape. Plus, sometimes when I leave it alone, it goes back to normal, all the sweat having disappeared without me touching it!

What is causing it to melt like this??

That stuff is made of glycerin. Glycerin is a humectant; it draws moisture from the air. The amount of sweat you see on the surface will be related to the humidity of the ambient air.

It also contains some coloring and these days some antimicrobials.

Lip balms, which seem to be of a similar mixture, will sweat too if you leave them unopened (but also previously unsealed) long enough.