Is petroleum jelly bad for you? Find out why many skincare products containing fossil fuels do not effectively protect your skin from dehydration.
In the quest for healthy, glowing skin, it’s easy to be swayed by product packaging that promises hydrated and smooth skin. However, some of the most common skin care products are not good because their main ingredient is petroleum jelly.
Known by its trade name petroleum jelly, petrolatum is derived from crude oil, which is a fossil fuel. Its production involves a separation and purification process, but the main component remains a byproduct of oil drilling.
While petroleum jelly has been a staple in many medicine cabinets for decades and is often applied to rashes or dry skin, its use in skin care products is controversial.
Find out why this product is best avoided if you want healthy, nourished skin and check out the natural products you can use.
Is petroleum jelly bad for you?
If you are trying to protect your skin from breakouts, eczema and excessive dryness, the answer to this question is yes.
First, petroleum jelly is “occlusive,” meaning it forms a waterproof barrier on your skin. Yes, this can trap moisture, but it can also block your pores. This can lead to breakouts and other skin problems, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatologywhile occlusives can be beneficial in some cases, they’re not ideal for every skin type, so if you’re prone to breakouts, using petroleum jelly on your skin is a no-go.
As other health and beauty experts have pointed outVaseline/petroleum jelly keeps moisture from leaving your skin, but it can also keep it “uncomfortable”. So if your skin is not clean when you apply petroleum jelly as a protective barrier, any fungus or bacteria will be trapped on your skin throughout the day. This can be a problem if you use petroleum jelly to prevent or soothe diaper rash in babies.
Additionally, this product works to “protect” but not nourish or hydrate your skin like carefully formulated skincare treatments do. The reports say this can slow down the cell renewal process. Your skin will be forced to draw much-needed moisture and nutrients from its limited resources, which can cause collagen to break down over time.
To add to this, the environmental impact of petroleum-based products cannot be ignored. The extraction and refining of crude oil has significant ecological consequences, including habitat destruction and greenhouse gas emissions. By using products derived from fossil fuels, consumers indirectly support practices that contribute to environmental degradation and climate change.
You might be thinking, “I never put petroleum jelly on my skin!” However, if you look at your regular lip balm or moisturizer, you might be surprised to see that petroleum jelly is a key ingredient. Many name brands include it to keep costs down, wasting your money.
What to use instead of petroleum jelly in skin care
People who ask, “Is petroleum jelly bad for you?” they often discover for themselves after use that the answer is yes if they are trying to restore moisture or protect sensitive skin. If you regularly use petroleum jelly products, you will notice that the condition of your skin either never changes or steadily worsens over time.
To achieve healthier, brighter skin while enjoying a thicker, richer moisturizer, try Botani’s Olivene Repair Balm. All natural and petroleum jelly-free, this product is specially formulated to protect, repair and soften your skin.
Olivene Repair Balm contains high quality organic plant oils such as Olive Oil, Olive Butter, Olive Wax, Olive Squalane, Evening Primrose Oil and healing Calendula Oil. These provide a protective barrier that nourishes and softens your skin while allowing it to breathe.
Vegetarian-friendly and specially formulated without nut oils for allergy sufferers, Olivene Repair Balm provides a protective barrier for:
- Sensitive and very dry skin
- Skin prone to eczema and psoriasis
- Skin prone to allergic reactions
- Treatment of razor burns and rashes
- The baby’s diaper area
- Cot cover
- Dry, cracked nipples caused by breastfeeding
Want a petroleum jelly-free repair cream? Try our multi-purpose Olivene Repair Balm today.
