What is Petroleum Jelly? Is It Sustainable?

Final Up to date on January 24, 2024

In 2022 alone, petroleum jelly gross sales amassed to $131 million {dollars} in income. You’ll find it in virtually each grocery retailer. Many dermatologists suggest it for skincare and eczema.  

However what precisely is petroleum jelly and is it good for our well being? Or the surroundings? 

If you happen to’re fascinated by residing a zero waste, plastic-free life-style, it’s possible you’ll need to keep away from petroleum jelly just because it’s packaged in a plastic container. However packaging alone isn’t the one factor to think about when making a purchase order: Elements matter too.

And, on this case, petroleum itself is a byproduct of the fossil gasoline business.  

This reality, nonetheless, doesn’t essentially imply petroleum jelly is outright dangerous. It’s historical past, makes use of and advantages are advanced.

Let’s dive into what petroleum jelly is, the way it got here to be, and what it’s good to find out about it. I’ve additionally included some extra eco-friendly and pure alternate options you should use as an alternative.

what’s petroleum jelly made from? 

Petroleum jelly is made from refined crude oil. Lets focus on what which means. 

First off, crude oil have to be extracted from the earth (usually unsustainably) after which refined into a wide selection of petroleum merchandise akin to gasoline, jet fuels, and so on.  

In accordance with the Division of Vitality, crude oil itself is a mixture of hydrocarbons, (molecules of carbon and hydrogen) fashioned from the decomposition of carbon-based plant and animal organisms that amassed in historic seabed and lakes, buried below excessive pressures and excessive temperatures for thousands and thousands of years. 

Aka, crude oil is a fossil gasoline. 

Now, how does this develop into crude oil develop into petroleum jelly? 

Producers refine the fabric right into a semi-solid, principally odorless product. They do that via distilling and filtering it to allow them to take away undesirable impurities. 

is vaseline and petroleum jelly the identical factor? 

Vaseline and petroleum jelly are sometimes referred to interchangeably, nevertheless it’s essential to notice they’re not precisely the identical factor. 

Vaseline is a model that dates again to1859 when a chemist named Sir Augustus Chesebrough visited oil rigs in Pennsylvania to analysis what supplies may very well be obtained from gasoline.  

About ten years later, in 1870, Chesebrough launched his enterprise, Vaseline. He patented the refining course of (filtration) of petroleum to make Vaseline. 

However there’s a little bit of historical past not many are conscious of: Chesebrough was not the primary to find petroleum jelly. Native American tribes from Pennsylvania have been. 

They even developed the know-how to refine and course of it earlier than Chesebrough or anybody else. It is because the oil pits in Pennsylvania belonged to the Native Individuals, they usually developed floor seeps of petroleum which they cultivated for medicinal functions. 

Since Vaseline’s launch, many different manufacturers have additionally began producing their very own model of petroleum jelly.  

So, it’s essential to notice after we discuss “petroleum jelly” we aren’t solely limiting it to Vaseline’s product.  

is petroleum jelly secure on pores and skin? 

Petroleum jelly is alleged to be secure on pores and skin by most dermatologists.  

It’s an occlusive moisturizer, which means it seals moisture into the pores and skin. It creates a barrier that stops water from leaving the pores and skin and thus helps the pores and skin retain moisture. 

Petroleum jelly is mostly used to: 

Heal minor scrapes and burns 
Moisturize face, palms and extra 
Soothe pores and skin and relieve dryness/chapped pores and skin 
Forestall chafing 
Forestall diaper rash  

Nonetheless, petroleum jelly ought to solely be used externally. Don’t eat or insert petroleum jelly internally.  

Particularly keep away from utilizing petroleum jelly as a lubricant. In accordance with Reuters, a examine of 141 ladies discovered that 17 % used petroleum jelly internally and 40 % of them examined constructive for bacterial vaginosis. 

Whereas many individuals suggest utilizing it for chapped lips, it’s possible you’ll need to air on the aspect of warning and keep away from doing so just because it’s simple to unintentionally ingest petroleum jelly when it’s in your lips. 

Very not often, some people might have petroleum jelly allergy symptoms and will keep away from utilizing petroleum jelly. At all times seek the advice of a medical skilled if in case you have issues.

is petroleum jelly all pure? 

Simply because one thing comes from the Earth doesn’t imply it’s essentially secure. For instance, many individuals argue “pure fuel” is sweet just because it has the phrase pure in it – however it’s nonetheless a fossil gasoline which contributes to local weather change. 

In an identical means, petroleum jelly isn’t precisely all pure as a result of it have to be refined a number of occasions to develop into secure to make use of. Plus, it’s derived from fossil fuels, that are harming our planet. 

Vaseline specifically can also be not cruelty-free. If you happen to didn’t know, Vaseline is owned by Unilever. Each Unilever and Vaseline state they don’t take a look at their merchandise on animals, however they do enable their ingredient suppliers or authorities authorities to check on animals the place required by legislation. 

Cruelty-free corporations have a coverage the place if the legislation requires them to check on animals, they are going to refuse to promote their merchandise below these situations. Since Vaseline and Unilever aren’t doing this, their merchandise can’t be thought of cruelty-free. 

Nonetheless, there are sustainable, cruelty-free alternate options to petroleum jelly to think about using.

pure alternate options to petroleum jelly 

If you happen to’ve determined to keep away from or swap out petroleum jelly, I’ve rounded up a few of my favourite alternate options. If you happen to favor DIYs, you may additionally attempt making selfmade lotion.

Every of those moisturizers will get the Going Zero Waste seal of approval. A number of of those manufacturers are packaged plastic free, and make the most of natural elements. 

I’ve gone forward and highlighted some key options of every model, nevertheless it isn’t an exhaustive record. Make sure to try their web sites for extra data. 

So, what are your ideas on petroleum jelly? Would you turn to a extra eco-friendly various? Let me know within the feedback.