8 uses for petroleum jelly – and 5 to avoid

Most people have tub of petroleum jelly somewhere in their bathroom cabinet. But why is this slippery, oily substance – often called Vaseline, after the popular brand name – considered such a staple? “Petroleum jelly is an incredibly versatile product,” says plastic surgeon Dr Alexis Parcells. Its genius lies in its simplicity. It’s only made up of one ingredient, and because it lacks fragrances, essential oils, colouring and other additives, it can be used for a wide variety of purposes.

There’s only one ingredient in Vaseline: petroleum jelly. Also called petrolatum, it is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons created as a byproduct of oil. It isn’t flammable, and it doesn’t have any taste or smell. Some ancient cultures used it as a healing ointment but it was officially patented and marketed as a product in 1859. Chemist Robert Chesebrough noticed that oil plant workers used “rod wax” – a sticky substance that built up on the oil machinery – to prevent and heal wounds. He refined the substance into the whitish gel we all recognise today and named it Vaseline. He advertised his “new” product by burning himself and then using the jelly to heal the burn. Since then, people have used it as everything from a wound treatment to a diet aid, but some uses work better (and are safer) than others. Petroleum jelly is also present in many commercial paw paw ointments.

Risks or side effects

Petroleum jelly can be a trusty first-aid essential for blisters, wounds and cuts, but it’s not recommended for everyone. There are people who may have a sensitivity or may even have an allergy to products that contain petroleum. This can manifest in skin irritation. If you’re not sure whether you have a sensitivity or allergy, do a patch test on your skin before applying the product completely.

Here’s everything you need to know about petroleum jelly, including how and when to use it, and when to avoid it.

Petroleum jelly isn’t absorbed into the skin so it’s not a moisturiser like lotion. Instead, it forms an ‘occlusive’ barrier on top of the skin. Putting a thin layer over moisturised skin will help keep your skin soft by preventing moisture loss, says Dr Parcells. It’s particularly good for people with sensitive skin or those who are trying to avoid extra chemicals, she adds.

Keep in mind, this probably isn’t something you’ll be wearing during the day, as it can look greasy and oily. If you’re worried about the look, use it as an overnight skin treatment. Just be sure to use bedding you don’t care about staining, as it can leave oily marks.

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Thanks to the pandemic, many people are spending hours every day wearing a mask, and that can lead to chafing, rashes and irritation. Petroleum jelly can protect your face by forming a protective barrier between your skin and the mask. Medical professionals who used a mixture of petroleum jelly and lanolin on skin that came into contact with tight facial masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) experienced 30 per cent less friction, according to a 2020 study published in PLOS One. They reported greater comfort and fewer injuries like skin tears, blistering, ulcers and hives. Regular lotions made the chafing worse, but because petroleum jelly is not absorbed, it formed a protective layer over the workers’ skin.

Is your eye makeup difficult to get off at the end of the day? Try using petroleum jelly on a cotton swab. Oil naturally dissolves makeup, including waterproof formulations, and it’s very gentle so you don’t need to tug or pull at your skin and eyelashes. It’s also unlikely to cause a reaction and is safe to use in the eye area, Dr Parcells says. Try not to get it in your eyes. It won’t hurt you, but it is hard to get out and can cause blurry vision in the meantime.

Eczema is a skin condition characterised by itchy, red and sometimes painful rashes. The rashes can be made worse by a variety of irritants in the environment, including weather, clothing, water and skin products. The No. 1 way to help eczema is to protect the skin while it heals. And one simple, effective and affordable way to do that is by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly over the affected area, according to a 2017 study published in JAMA Paediatrics.

Not sure if that rash you’ve been scratching is eczema? Here are 9 things you need to know about eczema.

Nappy rash happens when skin is kept in a moist environment with little air circulation, like in a nappy, for a period of time. Protect sensitive baby skin against nappy rash by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly. You can also use it to treat existing nappy rash by cleaning and drying the affected area, then applying the jelly.

Applying petroleum to small cuts, scrapes and burns can prevent scabs and scars from forming, says Dr Parcells. If your wound is open or appears infected, use a petroleum jelly product that also contains antibacterial ingredients, she says. Make sure your skin is dry and clean before you apply petroleum jelly. Fungal or bacterial infections can occur if you don’t follow proper wound care.

You never notice exactly how tight the elastic on your underwear is, where your shoe rubs your heel, or just where the hem on your shorts hits your thigh until you’re five kilometres into a 10k run – and by then, the damage is done. Prevent painful chafing, rashes, and blisters during exercise by rubbing a thin layer of petroleum jelly on pressure points before putting on your workout clothing. It’s especially helpful for minimising friction from skin-on-skin chafing, like between your inner thighs.

One of the most popular uses for petroleum jelly is to protect the sensitive skin on your lips from harsh environmental conditions. Whether there’s aggressive air conditioning in your office or it’s a dry or cold windy day outside, your lips are more exposed to the environment than other parts of your body and lose moisture faster, says Dr Parcells. You can protect them with a layer of petroleum jelly.