Petroleum jelly,petrolatum (/ˌpɛtrəˈleɪtəm/),white petrolatum,soft paraffin, ormulti-hydrocarbon,CAS number 8009-03-8, is asemi-solid mixture ofhydrocarbons (withcarbon numbers mainly higher than 25),[1] originally promoted as atopical ointment for itshealing properties.[2]Vaseline has been the leading brand of petroleum jelly since 1870.
After petroleum jelly became a medicine-chest staple, consumers began to use it for cosmetic purposes and for many ailments includingtoenail fungus, genital rashes (non-STI),nosebleeds,diaper rash, andcommon colds. Itsfolkloric medicinal value as a "cure-all" has since been limited by a better scientific understanding of appropriate and inappropriate uses. It is recognized by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an approvedover-the-counter (OTC)skin protectant and remains widely used incosmetic skin care, where it is often loosely referred to asmineral oil.
Marco Polo in 1273 described the oil exportation ofBaku oil by hundreds of camels and ships for burning and as an ointment for treatingmange.[3]
Native Americans discovered the use of petroleum jelly for protecting and healing the skin.[4] Sophisticated oil pits had been built as early as 1415–1450 inWestern Pennsylvania.[5] In 1859, workers operating theUnited States's firstoil rigs noticed aparaffin-like material forming on rigs in the course of investigating malfunctions. Believing the substance hastened healing, the workers used the jelly on cuts and burns.[6][7]
Robert Chesebrough, a young chemist whose previous work ofdistilling fuel from the oil ofsperm whales had been rendered obsolete bypetroleum, went toTitusville, Pennsylvania, to see what new materials had commercial potential. Chesebrough took the unrefined green-to-gold-colored "rod wax", as the drillers called it, back to his laboratory to refine it and explore potential uses. He discovered that by distilling the lighter, thinner oil products from the rod wax, he could create a light-colored gel. Chesebroughpatented the process of making petroleum jelly byU.S. patent 127,568 in 1872. The process involvedvacuum distillation of the crude material followed by filtration of the still residue throughbone char. Chesebrough traveled aroundNew York demonstrating the product to encourage sales by burning his skin with acid or an open flame, then spreading the ointment on his injuries and showing his past injuries healed, he said, by his miracle product. He opened his first factory in 1870 inBrooklyn using the nameVaseline.[6]
Petroleum jelly is a mixture of hydrocarbons, with a melting point that depends on the exact proportions. The melting point is typically between 40 and 70 °C (105 and 160 °F).[8][9] It is flammable only when heated to liquid; then the fumes will light, not the liquid itself, so awick material is needed to ignite petroleum jelly. It is colorless (or of a pale yellow color when not highly distilled),translucent, and devoid of taste and smell when pure. It does not oxidize on exposure to the air and is not readily acted on by chemical reagents. It is insoluble in water. It is soluble indichloromethane,chloroform,benzene,diethyl ether,carbon disulfide andturpentine.[1][10] Petroleum jelly is slightly soluble in alcohol.[11] It acts as aplasticizer onpolypropylene (PP),[12] but is compatible with a wide range of materials and chemicals.[13] It is asemi-solid, in that it holds its shape indefinitely like a solid, but it can be forced to take the shape of its container without breaking apart, like a liquid, though it does not flow on its own. At room temperature, it has 20.9% solid fat content. Its microstructure is made up of partially crystalline stacks of lamellar sheets which immobilize the liquid portion.[14] In general, only 7–13% of it is made up of high molecular weight paraffins, 30–45% of smaller paraffins, and 48–60% of small paraffins.[15]
Depending on the specific application of petroleum jelly, it may beUSP,B.P., orPh. Eur. grade. This pertains to the processing and handling of the petroleum jelly so it is suitable for medicinal and personal-care applications.
Petroleum jelly has lubricating and coating properties, including use on dry lips and dry skin. Below are some examples of the uses of petroleum jelly.
Vaseline brand First Aid Petroleum Jelly, orcarbolated petroleum jelly containingphenol to give the jelly additionalantibacterial effect, has been discontinued.[16]
DuringWorld War II, a variety of petroleum jelly calledred veterinary petrolatum, or Red Vet Pet for short, was often included in life raft survival kits. Acting as asunscreen, it provides protection againstultraviolet rays.[17]
TheAmerican Academy of Dermatology recommends keeping skin injuries moist with petroleum jelly to reduce scarring.[18] A verified medicinal use is to protect and prevent moisture loss of the skin of a patient in the initial post-operative period following laser skin resurfacing.[19][20]
Petroleum jelly is used extensively by otorhinolaryngologists—ear, nose, and throat doctors—for nasal moisture andepistaxis treatment, and to combat nasal crusting. Large studies have found petroleum jelly applied to the nose for short durations to have no significant side effects.[21][22][23]
Historically, it was also consumed for internal use and even promoted as "Vaseline confection".[24][25]
Most petroleum jelly today is used as an ingredient in skinlotions and cosmetics, providing various types of skin care and protection by minimizing friction or reducing moisture loss, or by functioning as a grooming aid (e.g.,pomade). It is also used for treating dry scalp and dandruff.[26] Although long known as just an occlusive, recent studies show that it is actually able to penetrate into the stratum corneum and helps in better absorption of other cosmetic products. Applying a significant amount of petroleum jelly onto one's face before bed is known as "slugging".[27]
By reducing the loss of moisture viatransepidermal water loss, petroleum jelly can preventchapped hands and lips, and soften nailcuticles.
This property is exploited to provide heat insulation: petroleum jelly can be used to keep swimmers warm in water when training, or during channel crossings or long ocean swims. It can prevent chilling of the face due to evaporation of skin moisture during cold weather outdoor sports.[28]
In the first part of the twentieth century, petroleum jelly, either pure or as an ingredient, was also popular as a hairpomade. When used in a 50/50 mixture with purebeeswax, it makes an effectivemoustache wax.[29][30]
Petroleum jelly can be used to reduce the friction between skin and clothing during various sport activities, for example to preventchafing of theseat region of cyclists, or thenipples of long distance runners wearing loose T-shirts, and is commonly used in thegroin area ofwrestlers andfootballers.
Petroleum jelly is commonly used as apersonal lubricant, because it does not dry out like water-based lubricants, and has a distinctive "feel", different from that ofK-Y and relatedmethylcellulose products. However, it is not recommended for use with latexcondoms during sexual activity, as it increases the chance of rupture.[31] In addition, petroleum jelly is difficult for the body to break down naturally, and may cause vaginal health problems when used for intercourse.[30]
Petroleum jelly can be used to coat corrosion-prone items such as metallic trinkets, non-stainless steel blades, and gun barrels prior to storage as it serves as an excellent and inexpensive water repellent. It is used as an environmentally friendly underwater antifouling coating for motor boats and sailing yachts. It was recommended in thePorsche owner's manual as a preservative for light alloy (alleny)anodizedFuchs wheels to protect them against corrosion from road salts and brake dust.[32]
It can be used to finish and protect wood, much like a mineral oil finish. It is used to condition and protect smooth leather products like bicycle saddles, boots, motorcycle clothing, and used to put a shine on patent leather shoes[33][30] (when applied in a thin coat and then gently buffed off).
Petroleum jelly can be used to lubricatezippers andslide rules. It was also recommended by Porsche in maintenance training documentation for lubrication (after cleaning) of "Weatherstrips on Doors, Hood, Tailgate, Sun Roof".[34] It is used in bullet lubricant compounds.[35]
Petroleum jelly is a useful material when incorporated into candle wax formulas. It softens the overall blend, allows the candle to incorporate additional fragrance oil, and facilitates adhesion to the sidewall of the glass. Petroleum jelly is used to moisten nondrying modelling clay such asplasticine, as part of a mix of hydrocarbons including those with greater (paraffin wax) and lesser (mineral oil) molecular weights. It is used as a tack reducer additive to printing inks to reduce paper lint "picking" from uncalendered paper stocks. It can be used as a release agent for plaster molds and castings. It is used in the leather industry as a waterproofing cream.[28][30]
Petroleum jelly can be mixed with a high proportion of strong inorganic chlorates due to it acting as a plasticizer and a fuel source. An example of this isCheddite C which consists of a ratio of 9:1,KClO3 to petroleum jelly. This mixture is unable to detonate without the use of ablasting cap. It is also used as a stabiliser in the manufacture of the propellantCordite.[30]
Petroleum jelly can be used to fill copper or fibre-optic cables using plastic insulation to prevent the ingress of water, seeicky-pick.
Petroleum jelly can be used to coat the inner walls ofterrariums to prevent animals from crawling out to escape.
A stripe of petroleum jelly can be used to prevent the spread of a liquid (retain or confine a liquid to a specific area). For example, it can be applied close to the hairline when using a home hair dye kit to prevent the hair dye from irritating or staining the skin. It is also used to preventdiaper rash.[30]
Petroleum jelly is sometimes used to protect the terminals on batteries.[36] However, automobiles batteries require a silicone-based battery grease because it is less likely to melt and thus offers better protection.[37][38]
Petroleum jelly is used to gently clean a variety of surfaces, ranging from makeup removal from faces to tar stain removal from leather.
Petroleum jelly is used to moisturize the paws of dogs.[39] It is a common ingredient inhairball remedies for domestic cats.[40][41]
Somegoalkeepers in association football put petroleum jelly on their gloves to make them stickier.[42]
Petroleum jelly containsmineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). Many MOAH, mainly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), are considered carcinogenic. The content of both MOAH and PAH in petroleum jelly products varies. The EU limits PAH content in cosmetics to 0.005%. The risks of PAH exposure through cosmetics have not been comprehensively studied, but food products with low levels (<3%) are not considered carcinogenic (by the EU).[43]
A 2012 scientific opinion by theEuropean Food Safety Authority stated that mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) andpolyaromatics were potentiallycarcinogenic and may present a health risk.[44]
In 2015, German consumer watchdogStiftung Warentest analyzed cosmetics containing mineral oils, finding significant concentrations of MOAH and polyaromatics in products containing mineral oils.[45] Vaseline products contained the most MOAH of all tested cosmetics (up to 9%).[45] Based on the 2015 results, Stiftung Warentest warned consumers not to use Vaseline or any product that is based on mineral oils for lip care.[45]
A study published in 2017 found levels of MOAH levels to be up to 1% in petroleum jelly and likewise to be less than 1% in petroleum jelly-based beauty products.[46]
...Chesebrough noticed that oil workers would smear their skin with the residue from their drills, as it had the property to heal their cuts and burns. He got curious and took some Rod Wax home where he started experimenting with it...
Solubility--Insoluble in water; almost insoluble in cold or hot alcohol or in cold dehydrated alcohol; freely soluble in benzene, carbon disulfide, chloroform, or turpentine oil; soluble in ether, solvent hexane, or in most fixed and volatile oils, the degree of solubility in these solvents varying with the composition of the petrolatum.
The oils in … Vaseline … will make latex fall apart.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Vaseline".Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
-solution.jpg)
