Is Petroleum Jelly Safe?
Petroleum jelly was discovered in 1859 and is in use since 1870s. It has an unbroken safety record ever since. Purified petroleum jelly is preservatives, additives and scent-free. Unlike many other skincare products, petroleum jelly doesn’t cause allergies or skin irritations. (Did you know that many people are allergic to coconut oil?!)
Historically, petroleum jelly has been used as a moisturizer, sunscreen and for treatment of burns and wounds. It is recommended by doctors today to speed up the healing of wounds, after laser skin resurfacing and for the prevention of eczema.
Still, skeptics are against the use of petroleum jelly for two reasons:
1/ It is a byproduct of oil refining process. (A BYproduct: no one ever drilled for oil or refined it for the sole purpose of making petroleum jelly! Petroleum jelly utilizes / recycles petroleum refining waste. It doesn’t contaminate the environment, if anything: it unburdens it.)
2/ Many find petroleum jelly too greasy. That depends on how it’s used.
Bottom line:
There are few skincare products more extensively researched than petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly has proven itself safe and beneficial for external use since the 1870s. No other single-ingredient substance helps skin retain moisture better than petroleum jelly.
Read more about petroleum jelly:
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/petroleum-jelly
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-162/petroleum-jelly-topical/details
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_jelly
