Petroleum jelly

Petroleum jelly, petrolatum, white petrolatum, soft paraffin/paraffin wax or multi-hydrocarbon,

CAS number 8009-03-8, is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons (with carbon numbers mainly
higher than 25),[1] originally promoted as a topical ointment for its healing properties.

After petroleum jelly became a medicine chest staple, consumers began to use it for many
ailments as well as cosmetic purposes, including toenail fungus, genital rashes (non-STD),
nosebleeds, diaper rash, and chest colds. Its folkloric medicinal value as a "cure-all" has since
been limited by better scientific understanding of appropriate and inappropriate uses. It is
recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an approved over-the-counter
(OTC) skin protectant, and remains widely used in cosmetic skin care.

History[edit]

Original US patent application for the Vaseline product.

The raw material for petroleum jelly was discovered in 1859 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, United
States, on some of the country's first oil rigs. Workers disliked the paraffin-like material forming
on rigs because it caused them to malfunction, but they used it on cuts and burns because they
believed it hastened healing.[2][3]

Robert Chesebrough, a young chemist whose previous work of distilling fuel from the oil of
sperm whales had been rendered obsolete by petroleum, went to Titusville to see what new
materials had commercial potential. Chesebrough took the unrefined black "rod wax", as the
drillers called it, back to his laboratory to refine it and explore potential uses. Chesebrough
discovered that by distilling the lighter, thinner oil products from the rod wax, he could create a
light-colored gel. Chesebrough patented the process of making petroleum jelly by U.S. Patent
127,568 in 1872. The process involved vacuum distillation of the crude material followed by
filtration of the still residue through bone char.

Chesebrough traveled around New 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 claimed, by his miracle product.

He opened his first factory in 1870 in Brooklyn using the name Vaseline.[2]
Physical properties[edit]

Petroleum jelly is a mixture of hydrocarbons, having a melting point usually within a few degrees
of human body temperature, approximately 37 C (99 F).[4] It is flammable only when heated to
liquid; then the fumes will light, not the liquid itself, so a wick material like leaves, bark, or small
twigs 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 in
dichloromethane, chloroform, benzene, diethyl ether, carbon disulfide and oil of turpentine.[1]
[5]

Depending on the specific application of petroleum jelly, it may be USP, B.P., or Ph. Eur. grade.
This pertains to the processing and handling of the petroleum jelly so it is suitable for medicinal
and personal care applications.

Comparison with glycerol[edit]

Because they feel similar when applied to human skin, there is a common misconception that
petroleum jelly and glycerol (glycerine) are physically similar. Petroleum jelly is a non-polar
hydrophobic (water-repelling) hydrocarbon and insoluble in water. Glycerol is an alcohol that is
strongly hydrophilic (water-attracting): by continuously absorbing moisture from the air
(humectant), it produces the feeling of wetness on the skin. This feeling of wetness is similar to
the feeling of greasiness produced by petroleum jelly.

Uses[edit]

Most uses of petroleum jelly exploit its lubricating and coating properties.

Medical treatment[edit]

Vaseline brand First Aid Petroleum Jelly, or carbolated petroleum jelly containing phenol to give
the jelly additional antibacterial effect, has been discontinued. During World War II, a variety of
petroleum jelly called red veterinary petrolatum, or Red Vet Pet for short, was often included in
life raft survival kits. Acting as a sunscreen, it provides protection against ultraviolet rays.[6]
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends keeping skin injuries moist with petroleum
jelly to reduce scarring.[7] 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.[8][9]

There is one case report published in 1994 indicating petroleum jelly should not be applied to
the inside of the nose due to the risk of lipid pneumonia, but this was only ever reported in one
patient.[10] However, petroleum jelly is used extensively by otolaryngologistsear, nose, and
throat surgeonsfor nasal moisture and epistaxis treatment, and to combat nasal crusting.
Large studies have assessed petroleum jelly applied to the nose for short durations to have no
significant side effects.[11][12][13]

Historically, it was also consumed for internal use and even promoted as "Vaseline confection".
[14][15]

Skin and hair care[edit]

Most petroleum jelly today is used as an ingredient in skin lotions and cosmetics, providing
various types of skin care and protection by minimizing friction or reducing moisture loss, or by
functioning as a grooming aid.

Preventing moisture loss[edit]

By reducing moisture loss, petroleum jelly can prevent chapped hands and lips, and soften nail
cuticles.

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.

Hair grooming[edit]

In the first part of the twentieth century, petroleum jelly, either pure or as an ingredient, was
also popular as a hair pomade. When used in a 50/50 mixture with pure beeswax, it makes an
effective moustache wax.[16]
Skin lubrication[edit]

Petroleum jelly can be used to reduce the friction between skin and clothing during various sport
activities, for example to prevent chafing of the seat region of cyclists, the nipples of long
distance runners wearing loose T-shirts, and is commonly used in the crotch area of wrestlers
and footballers.

Petroleum jelly is commonly used as a personal lubricant because it does not dry out like water-
based lubricants, and has a distinctive "feel", different from that of K-Y and related
methylcellulose products.[17] However, it is not recommended for use with condoms during
sexual activity because it swells latex and thus increases the chance of rupture. It is also not
recommended for vaginal intercourse because it may increase the risk of yeast infection and
bacterial vaginosis in women. It may be used safely for unprotected anal intercourse.[citation
needed]

Product care and protection[edit]

Coating[edit]

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 the Porsche owners manual as a preservative
for light alloy (alleny) anodized Fuchs wheels to protect them against corrosion from road salts
and brake dust. Every three months (after regular cleaning) the wheels should be coated with
petroleum jelly.[18]

Finishing[edit]

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[19] (when applied in a thin coat and then gently buffed
off).

Lubrication[edit]

Petroleum jelly can be used to lubricate zippers and slide rules. It was also recommended by
Porsche in maintenance training documentation for lubrication (after cleaning) of "Weatherstrips
on Doors, Hood, Tailgate, Sun Roof". The publication states "before applying a new coat of
lubricant" "Only acid-free lubricants may be used, for example: glycerine, Vaseline, tire
mounting paste, etc. These lubricants should be rubbed in, and excessive lubricant wiped off
with a soft cloth."[20]

Production processes[edit]

Petroleum jelly is a useful material when incorporated into candle wax formulas. The petroleum
jelly 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 as plasticine, 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. It can be used for tinder, lightly coated on a cotton ball. It has been used as a secondary
ingredient in a Molotov cocktail, to make the flames stick to any surface they touch and to make
large amounts of smoke. It is used as a multifunctional product.

Other[edit]

Tattooing[edit]

Petroleum jelly is used by tattoo artists to lubricate the area being tattooed. The petroleum jelly
facilitates the wiping away of pigment that remains on the surface of the skin.[citation needed]
As well as providing a layer to stop bacteria from entering and infecting the newly opened skin
surface.

Mechanical, barrier functions[edit]

Petroleum jelly can be used to coat the inner walls of terrariums to prevent animals crawling out
and escaping.

A stripe of petroleum jelly can be used to prevent the spread of a liquid. 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 prevent diaper rash.
Surface cleansing[edit]

Petroleum jelly is used to gently clean a variety of surfaces, ranging from makeup removal from
faces to tar stain removal from leather.

Pet care[edit]

Petroleum jelly is used to moisturize the paws of dogs, and to inhibit fungal growth on aquatic
turtles shells. It is a common ingredient in hairball remedies for domestic cats.

Clean-up[edit]

Petroleum jelly is very sticky and hard to remove from non-biological surfaces with the usual and
customary cleaning agents typically found in the home. It may be dissolved with paint thinner or
other petroleum solvents such as acetone,[21] which dissolves many plastics.

Petroleum jelly is slightly soluble in alcohol.[22] To avoid damage to plastics as well as minimize
ventilation issues, isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol can be used to remove petroleum jelly from most
surfaces. Isopropyl alcohol is inert to most household surfaces, including almost every plastic,
and removes petroleum jelly efficiently. While alcohol causes fewer ventilation problems than
petroleum solvents, ventilation is still recommended, especially if large surface areas are
involved.

Petroleum jelly is also soluble in lower molecular weight oils. Using an oil to dissolve the
petroleum jelly first can render it more soluble to solvents and soaps that would not dissolve
pure petroleum jelly. Vegetable oils such as canola and olive oil are commonly used to aid in the
removal of petroleum jelly from hair and skin.[23]