Asked by: Janice Arapov
style and fashion oral care

Is petroleum jelly a natural product?

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Petroleum jelly is widely proclaimed to be the fix for dry skin. But there are natural Vaseline alternative products that not only work better long term, but may be healthier for you, too. Petroleum jelly, or petrolatum, is a mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum.


Also, what is a natural alternative to petroleum jelly?

Waxelene, $42 Whatever you use petroleum jelly for, Waxelene is the natural substitute—for everything from moisturizing skin, reducing diaper rash irritation, to protecting against chapped lips. The list goes on. Waxelene's cruelty-free ingredients include vitamin E oil, beeswax, organic rosemary and organic soy.

Also Know, is petroleum jelly the same as Vaseline? Ultimately, the only main difference between Vaseline and petroleum jelly is that Vaseline is made up of pure petroleum jelly which contain minerals and microcrystalline wax so it is smoother, while petroleum jelly is made up of a partial solid mix of hydrocarbons that comes from mines.

Hereof, what is petroleum jelly made out of?

Answer: Petroleum jelly is made by the waxy petroleum material that formed on oil rigs and distilling it. The lighter and thinner oil-based products make up petroleum jelly, also known as white petrolatum or simply as petrolatum.

Is petroleum jelly toxic?

Though generally regarded as safe, the components that are removed from the oil during the refining process of petroleum jelly are carcinogenic in some cases. According to Denno, Petroleum jelly can create the illusion of moisturized, hydrated skin, all the while suffocating your pores.

Related Question Answers

Mellisa Kingsley

Professional

Can you get cancer from Vaseline?

The answer is no, Vaseline® Jelly is safe for your skin. Vaseline® Jelly meets EU Pharmacopoeia standards on purity. It is triple-purified to remove any type of carcinogenic material – meaning it does not pose a risk of causing cancer, being a safe skin care choice.

Ekaterina Awiloff

Professional

Is coconut oil better than Vaseline?

Coconut oil is by far the better choice for treating dry skin! First, Vaseline is made from petroleum jelly (a byproduct of the oil refining process and originally discovered at the bottom of oil rigs). On top of that, petroleum jelly isn't actually good for your skin. In fact, it doesn't really help dry skin at all.

Martiria Dinnes

Professional

Is petroleum jelly safe for face?

Vaseline is the name of a popular brand of petroleum jelly. But unlike other forms of petroleum, Vaseline is safe to use on your skin and hands. It's even a favorite for some as a moisturizer. It's safe to use Vaseline as a moisturizer for your face, but there are some things you should know if you're doing this.

Isaias Shamarin

Explainer

Does Vaseline actually work?

Some people swear by petroleum jelly as their go-to lip balm. But the derivative from oil refining does not actively nourish the skin, but rather seals the lips so moisture does not escape. And as moisture can't get out, air and moisture can't get in – meaning it can dry your lips, the Huffington Post reported.

Caio Alfaro-Bera

Explainer

What is petroleum jelly used for sexually?

Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, is an oil based ointment that people can use to moisturize and soften dry skin. Although Vaseline may work as a sexual lubricant, it can damage latex condoms and increase the risk of infection and unintended pregnancy. It is better to use a water or glycol based lubricant.

Ayoub Nagrodzk

Explainer

Is petroleum jelly safe for lips?

If you lick your lips before applying Vaseline and nothing else, you might make chapped lips worse because lips don't retain water very well. Remember: Refined white petroleum jelly — aka Vaseline — is what you're looking for. It's generally safe for gentle external use.

Carletta Pfaffenrath

Pundit

Does your skin absorb Vaseline?

Vaseline doesn't absorb into the skin. It creates a barrier effect. That can be a good thing if applied to hydrated skin. Petroleum jelly is non comedogenic, it's very unlikely to be allergenic, it's stable in formulas, consistent in performance, odourless and colourless.

Sheraz Rossdeutscher

Pundit

Is petroleum jelly good for hair?

Sun and wind exposure as well as pool water can dry up your hair. Petroleum jelly can reduce the look of split ends and add shine to your hair. Rub a small amount of jelly between your palms and apply to hair ends.

Ercilia Haubruck

Pundit

Why petroleum jelly is bad?

However, according some sources, petrolatum is often not fully refined in the US, which means it can be contaminated with toxic chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Petroleum jelly has the unique ability to absorb into our skin and lock itself into place in between cells in our lipid barrier.

Xiaoping Andino

Pundit

Is Vaseline made out of whale sperm?

According to the article “The Amazing History of Vaseline” by Daniel Ganninger, an author and researcher, the process of inventing petroleum jelly began in 1859. It began with Robert Chesebrough, a 22-year-old American chemist losing his job of extracting kerosene from the oil of sperm whales.

Raja Rahlin

Pundit

What are the side effects of Vaseline?

Side Effects. Most emollients can be used safely and effectively with no side effects. However, burning, stinging, redness, or irritation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Jeanie Saidulaev

Teacher

Can you eat Vaseline?

Toxicity: Vaseline® is considered to be minimally toxic when ingested. It can cause a loose or soft stool. Possible Symptoms of Overdose/Poisoning: Vaseline® is a thick substance and as a result, it can be a choking hazard. Otherwise, it is only expected to cause a loose or soft stool.

Cherki Wernert

Teacher

Does Vaseline darken skin?

Vaseline as a moisturizer, that is, the lotion or other creams offered by vaseline doesn't really darken your skin. But the petroleum jelly does. It does make your skin dark.

Delicias Montarelo

Teacher

Is Vaseline bad for your eyelashes?

Vaseline is safe to use around the skin of your eyes and on your eyelashes. According to research , allergic reactions to petroleum jelly are rare, making this a good choice for people who are sensitive to other products.

Ioachim Verdet

Teacher

Is petroleum jelly made of petrol?

Yes, petroleum as in petrol. The raw materials in petroleum jelly (what you smear on your skin) were actually discovered on an oil rig in 1859 – it was found building up in the machinery. Nice. Because petrolatum is derived from crude oil, it needs to be refined.

Pam Laberenz

Reviewer

Is Vaseline good for wrinkles?

“A thin coat of Vaseline over a freshly washed skin helps keep the water in the skin from evaporating,” she says. Petroleum jelly is one of the strongest moisturizers out there. Moisturized skin will look younger as it'll make wrinkles less apparent, but the jelly can't actually prevent wrinkles.

Maryna Adones

Reviewer

Is petroleum jelly good for eyelashes?

Vaseline, a brand of petroleum jelly, provides excellent conditioning and moisturizing for lashes that are dry and brittle. It helps them grow longer, thicker, and stronger. The best way to get results from this is to use a cleaned mascara wand to apply the Vaseline to your eyelashes before bed.

Melida Machled

Reviewer

Is petroleum jelly banned in Europe?

In other words, as long as the petroleum jelly is properly refined (following FDA guidelines) it is allowed in the EU just as it is in the US. So to say that petroleum jelly is banned is a little misleading; it's more accurate to say that improperly refined petroleum jelly is banned.

Weihua Hemmieoltmanns

Reviewer

Can bacteria grow in Vaseline?

Yes, many bacteria and fungi can survive in petroleum jelly. So, if you touch your skin, then the petroleum jelly, your bacteria and fungi along with your dead skin cells will be on the jelly. The skin cells will provide a bit of nutrients and perhaps some moisture.

Co-Authored By:

EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

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9th February, 2020

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