Petrolatum is a popular ingredient in skincare with many uses and formulas, the most famous being Vaseline petroleum jelly. Although it has been a staple in Dermatology for decades, it remains unfashionable and even controversial in the beauty industry. In this article, we’ll explore what are petrolatum and petroleum jelly and their benefits for skin. We’ll review their safety the best way to use them in your skincare routine.
What is Petrolatum?
Petrolatum is a semi-solid jelly that comes from petroleum refining. It is an occlusive agent that forms a protective barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss and boosting hydration. Petroleum jelly is odourless, colourless and inert with many skin benefits and uses. For this reason it rapidly became a common ingredient in skincare, medicinal ointments and cosmetics.
In the mid-19th century the chemist Robert Chesebrough noticed that oil workers used it to heal cuts and burns. In 1872, he patented the purification process and introduced Vaseline, the first petroleum jelly product for skin uses. Since then, petrolatum has become a staple ingredient in skincare particularly in moisturisers, healing ointments and lip balms. Today, Vaseline is still going strong and petrolatum is available in a variety of formulations beyond traditional petroleum jelly targeting a number of uses. Products include rich healing balms, intensive moisturising creams and medicated ointments. It is also in countless brands like, Aquaphor, CeraVe, Eucerin, E45 and of course Vaseline.
Benefits of Petrolatum for Skin
Petrolatum remains one of the most effective affordable and versatile skincare ingredients largely due to its ability to lock in moisture, protect the skin barrier and aid in healing. Here are the key benefits of petrolatum and petroleum jelly for skin:
- Intense Moisturising: Petrolatum is an occlusive agent, meaning it forms a protective barrier on the skin to prevent water loss. This makes it highly effective for treating dry, cracked, or irritated skin, particularly in harsh weather conditions.
- Soothes & Heals Damaged Skin: Petroleum jelly and petrolatum products have wide uses in wound healing as it protects minor cuts, burns, acne breakouts and abrasions whilst keeping the skin moist. It helps provides faster healing and less scarring.
- Strengthens Skin Barrier: For those with eczema, psoriasis or compromised skin barriers, petrolatum helps to reduce moisture loss and reinforce the skin’s natural defences. This reduces irritation and inflammation.
- Prevents Chafing & Friction Irritation: Thanks to its thick texture, petroleum jelly reduces friction on the skin. This makes it an excellent choice for preventing chafing on the thighs, underarms and heels especially during hot or humid weather.
- Versatile: Petrolatum is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores). As such it suitable for most skin types, including sensitive, acne-prone and reactive skin.
How to Find the Best Petrolatum Skin Product for You
Not all petrolatum is the same! Before adding petrolatum to your skincare routine, you should first understand the different types available:
- White Petrolatum: This is highest grade of petrolatum, thoroughly refined to remove impurities. It is the safest form and commonly found in skincare and pharmaceutical products.
- Yellow Petrolatum: This is a less refined version that retains some impurities. It is more commonly for use in industrial applications rather than cosmetics.
- USP-Grade Petrolatum: This meets United States Pharmacopeia (USP) purity standards, ensuring it is safe for medical and dermatological use. USP-grade petrolatum is best for wound care, post-procedure healing and sensitive skin applications.
For skincare purposes, always look for white and, where possible, USP-grade petrolatum as it free from contaminants and safe for long-term use. Thankfully, most reputable brands use purified petrolatum, but it’s always best to check the product label! You also need to consider which type of formulation is best for your skin. The most common formulations for petrolatum in skincare include:
- Pure Petroleum Jelly: These are great for most uses with key benefits like intensive moisture locking, wound healing, cracked/chapped skin and slugging.
- Petrolatum-Based Creams: These are lighter and less greasy in texture so suitable for daily hydration and barrier repair.
- Lotions: The light-weight spreadable nature of these makes them Ideal for full-body hydration.
- Medicated Ointments: These are best for wound care, post-procedure healing and sensitive skin treatments.
Best Ways to Use Petrolatum in Skincare
When used correctly, petrolatum is an excellent multi-purpose skincare ingredient that provides intense moisture, protection and repair. It is also incredibly versatile and available in a large variety of skincare products. Here are the best ways to incorporate petrolatum into your skincare routine:
- Moisturiser for Dry Skin: Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or a petrolatum-based cream over damp skin to seal in hydration. It’s particularly beneficial for elbows, knees, feet and hands.
- Balm for Chapped or Cracked Skin: Petrolatum is a common ingredient in lip balms and foot creams due to its ability to prevent moisture loss and heal dry cracked skin. Layer pure petroleum jelly or a petrolatum-based lip or foot ointment on top of something like a urea cream for best results.
- Under-Eye Hydration: Dab a tiny amount of petrolatum under the eyes at night to prevent dryness and fine lines especially in cold weather or if you’re using retinoids.
- Healing Wounds, Burns & Post-Procedure Skin: Dermatologists often recommend petrolatum for post-procedure skincare, such as after laser treatments, chemical peels or minor surgeries. It helps to keep wounds moist and speeds up healing.
- Preventing & Treating Irritation: You will often find petrolatum in diaper rash creams to create a protective barrier that prevents irritation from moisture exposure. You can also use it for things like maskne or if you have reactive skin.
- Protecting the Skin Barrier: A thin layer of petrolatum can shield the skin from harsh weather conditions, reducing windburn, chapping and winter dryness. It is perfect for lips, hands and exposed areas of the face.
- Slugging: One of the most popular uses of petrolatum is slugging. This is a skincare technique where you apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly over moisturiser at night to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Slugging helps to restore hydration, repair the skin barrier and boost skin suppleness. It is particularly beneficial for dry, mature or dehydrated skin.
Safety & Precautions
Petrolatum is widely considered a safe and effective skincare ingredient. However, as with any product, there are some potential side effects and considerations:
- Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: Although petrolatum is non-comedogenic, it can still pose a risk for those with oily, acne-prone or congestion-prone skin. This is because petrolatum forms an occlusive barrier which can trap oil, bacteria and dead skin cells if applied over unclean skin. If used excessively, it may contribute to breakouts, especially in those prone to pore blockages and acne. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, always apply petrolatum over clean, well-exfoliated skin and avoid thick layers on areas prone to breakouts.
- Potential Allergies: Whilst rare, some individuals may experience skin sensitivity, irritation or allergic reactions to petrolatum-based products. This is more likely if the product contains added fragrances, preservatives, or other ingredients that can trigger contact dermatitis. If you have highly reactive or allergy-prone skin, always opt for fragrance-free, dermatologically tested petrolatum products and perform a patch test before widespread use.
- Use Only Purified Petrolatum: One of the most important precautions when using petrolatum is ensuring it is highly refined and free from impurities. Low-grade petrolatum, especially industrial versions, may contain trace amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which might be carcinogenic. Always choose white, USP-grade petrolatum that meets pharmaceutical or dermatological standards.
Controversies, Myths & Facts
Despite its many skincare benefits, petrolatum has long been the subject of ongoing debate in the beauty and wellness industry. Concerns range from potential contamination risks to environmental sustainability and misconceptions about how it affects the skin. Here’s what we know:
- Safety & Contamination: One of the biggest concerns surrounding petrolatum is the potential presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These compounds found in unrefined petroleum that have been linked to carcinogenic risks. Cosmetic-grade petrolatum undergoes rigorous purification to remove these impurities, making it safe for topical use. In addition, high-quality white USP-grade petrolatum is dermatologically tested and meets strict safety regulations in the UK, EU and US.
- Environmental Impact & Sustainability: Petrolatum is derived from petroleum, a non-renewable fossil fuel, which raises concerns about its sustainability and impact on the environment. The truth is that petrolatum itself is a by-product of oil refining, meaning it reduces waste from the industry. However, its long-term environmental footprint is still under debate. For this reason more eco-conscious consumers prefer plant-based alternatives that offer similar moisture-locking benefits without relying on fossil fuels.
- “Suffocating Skin” Myth: There is a common belief that petrolatum “suffocates” the skin, blocking pores and preventing it from functioning properly. However, this is a misconception. Petrolatum forms a protective barrier on the surface, which prevents moisture loss without penetrating deeply or clogging pores.
Whilst many of these concerns are valid, petrolatum remains a dermatologist-approved which has been safely used for decades in medical and skincare formulations. As long as you choose high-quality, purified petrolatum, it can be a safe and effective addition to your skincare routine.
Alternatives to Petrolatum
If you prefer a natural, plant-based or more eco-friendly alternatives to petrolatum, there are several options that offer at leats one or two of these benefits. The below ingredients have the most similar moisture-locking and skin-protective benefits to petrolatum:
- Shea Butter: This is a rich, natural emollient that deeply hydrates the skin while also offering anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Shea butter is particularly beneficial for dry, sensitive or irritated skin. The most common uses are in its pure form or in creams, balms and body butters.
- Beeswax: Similar to petrolatum, beeswax forms a protective barrier on the skin. It helps lock in moisture, protect against environmental stressors and prevent transepidermal water loss. You can commonly find beeswax in lip balms, ointments and protective creams.
- Propolis: Sometimes called “bee glue,” propolis is a resin-like substance produced by bees that has moisturising, healing and antibacterial properties. It helps to soothe and protect the skin whilst promoting wound healing and reducing inflammation. Propolis is particularly beneficial for damaged or compromised skin barriers and is often used in balms, serums, and ointments for dry, irritated or acne-prone skin.
- Squalane: This is a lightweight non-greasy alternative that hydrates the skin while supporting the its natural lipid barrier. Unlike petrolatum, squalane quickly absorbs into the skin and does not leave a heavy or occlusive feel.
- Coconut Oil: A natural occlusive, coconut oil also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It is often used to help hydrate and protect the skin but it has a high comedogenic rating. Those with dry or eczema-prone skin may find it most beneficial.
- Lanolin: This is a natural wax derived from wool that is widely used in skincare for its moisture-locking abilities. It is particularly effective in repairing dry cracked skin and is often found in nourishing creams, lip balms, and nipple balms. However, some people may have sensitivities or allergies to lanolin.
Petrolatum and petroleum jelly remain two of the most effective and affordable skincare ingredients due to their many skin benefits and uses. Its ability to lock in moisture, aid in wound healing and protect the skin barrier makes it a staple in many skincare routines. Although there are controversies regarding its origins and manufacture, skincare-grade petrolatum and petroleum jelly have a long track record of safety and benefits. As always its key to use petrolatum skincare products correctly as part of a regular skincare routine.
At City Skin clinic, we are beyond passionate about personalised skincare. Our virtual skin clinic offers safe and effective custom skin and hair loss treatments. Where appropriate our doctors use ingredients such Tretinoin and Hydroquinone to treat skin conditions like acne, hyperpigmentation, melasma and skin ageing. Connect with one of our doctors today with an online consultation. The journey towards great skin starts here.