If you hit links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Meet the Experts
What Is Petroleum Jelly?
Petroleum jelly is a mixture of natural mineral oils and waxes formed into a partially solid, gel-like substance.
masa44 / Getty Images
Kim refers to Vaseline as “the quintessential petroleum jelly,” and we agree.
How Often Can You Use It:Petroleum jelly is safe to use daily.
Works Well With:Moisturizers
Don’t Use With:Very oily, acne-prone skin.
Is Petroleum Jelly Safe?
“Petroleum jelly is one of the safest products for the skin,” Talakoub tells us."
It is safe on all skin types and has very little allergenic or irritant potential.
It holds moisture in the skin and can help heal wounds."
In more recent years, there has been controversy surrounding petroleum jelly.
The Benefits
How to Use Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is the ultimate multi-use product.
She cautions against using plain petroleum jelly on open or infected wounds.
How Often Can It Be Used?
For example, Kim suggests skipping Vaseline if you’re super oily oracne-prone, as it can be pore-clogging.
Can You Use Petroleum Jelly on Your Lips?
Petrolatum in drugs, food, and food packaging must meet FDA impurity restrictions.
Consumers should look for USP white petroleum jelly (known as BP in Britain and Ph.
(In other words, you might need to do some research.)
“There’s no reason to use it if you’re uncomfortable,” he says.
It hasn’t been definitively proven that petroleum-based products are carcinogenic in humans.
However, if you want to findalternatives to petrolatumin your skincare products, review the ingredients listed.
Chieng HC, Ibrahim A, Chong WH, et al.Lipoid pneumonia.Am J Med Sci.
2022;363(5):452-455.
2023;26(1):28-65.
Petroleum jelly peril?| andrew weil, m. D. DrWeil.com.
2013;12(2):163-4.
Torres A, Rego L, Martins MS, et al.How to promote skin repair?
In-depth look at pharmaceutical and cosmetic strategies.Pharmaceuticals (Basel).
2023;16(4):573.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.5 Ways to Use Petroleum Jelly for Skin Care.
Food & Drug Administration.CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.
