Petrolatum
TYPE OF INGREDIENT
Moisturizer, specifically an occlusive moisturizer
COMMONLY FOUND IN
Many personal care products, baby care products, diaper creams, lip moisturizers, sunscreens and other moisturizers.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PETROLATUM?
Petrolatum is able to absorb into the stratum corneum and enhances barrier repair and moisture diffusion into the dermis, and helps synthesize intercellular lipids.
WHAT IS PETROLATUM ?
Petrolatum is a petroleum-based product with a long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbon structure. It is odorless and colorless. It is a well-described, semi-solid moisturizer known for its occlusive properties and ability to seal water into the skin by creating a hydrophobic barrier. This hydrophobic barrier decreases transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by 99%, making it the best occlusive barrier agent on the market. Other names for petrolatum include mineral jelly, petroleum jelly, petrolatum jelly, white petrolatum and soft paraffin.
IS PETROLATUM SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES AND TONES?
Petrolatum is an FDA-approved active ingredient in skincare products, when all refined, there are no known health concerns.
Petrolatum is extremely unlikely to cause any allergic contact dermatitis. It can be used near sensitive areas such as the diaper area, and near the eyelids or lips without causing irritation or contributing to allergies. It has been shown to be noncomedogenic and therefore not contribute to acne. However, experts suggest from anecdotal evidence that applying petrolatum can be too occlusive for certain oily and acne-prone skin types and could contribute to acne break-outs or milia formation if consistently used on the face.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
None
Sources:
Ghadially, R., L. Halkier-Sorensen, and P M Elias. “Effects of Petrolatum on Stratum Corneum Structure and Function.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 26.3 Pt 2 (19923): 387-96. Web.
Draelos ZD. The science behind skin care: Moisturizers. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018 Apr;17(2):138-144. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12490. Epub 2018 Jan 10.
Czarnowicki T, Malajian D, Khattri S, Correa da Rosa J, Dutt R, Finney R, Dhingra N, Xiangyu P, Xu H, Estrada YD, Zheng X, Gilleaudeau P, Sullivan-Whalen M, Suaréz-Fariñas M, Shemer A, Krueger JG, Guttman-Yassky E. Petrolatum: Barrier repair and antimicrobial responses underlying this “inert” moisturizer. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016 Apr;137(4):1091-1102.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.08.013. Epub 2015 Oct 1.
Kligman, Albert M. Petrolatum is not comedogenic in rabbits or humans: A critical reappraisal of the rabbit ear assay and the concept of “acne cosmetica”. Jo of Soc. Cosmet. Chem, 47, 41-48 (Jan/Feb 1996).
Summers, Gerrie.Petroleum Jelly Is a Dry Skin Staple—But Is It Safe? We Asked Dermatologists. Byrdie. 3/2/2023.
U.S. FDA Code of Federal Regulations Title 21
CeraVe Healing Ointment
