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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Short description|Chemical substance used as a lubricating agent and topical ointment}}
[[File:White Petrolatum1.jpg|thumb|Petroleum jelly]]

'''Petroleum jelly''', '''petrolatum''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|ɛ|t|r|ə|ˈ|l|eɪ|t|ə|m}}), '''white petrolatum''', '''soft paraffin''', or '''multi-hydrocarbon''', [[CAS number]] 8009-03-8, is a [[semi-solid]] mixture of [[hydrocarbon]]s (with [[carbon number]]s mainly higher than 25),<ref name="inchem">{{cite web |url= http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics1440.htm |title=Petrolatum (white) |work=inchem.org |publisher=International Programme on Chemical Safety and the Commission of the European Communities |date=March 2002 |access-date=5 August 2011}}</ref> originally promoted as a [[Topical medication|topical ointment]] for its [[Wound healing|healing]] properties.<ref name=Speser2012>{{Cite book |last=Speser |first=Phyllis L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tmu9dKf1uFwC&pg=PT210 |title=The Art and Science of Technology Transfer |date=2012 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-118-42893-1 |pages=210 |language=en}}</ref> [[Vaseline]] has been the leading brand of petroleum jelly since 1870.

After petroleum jelly became a medicine-chest staple, consumers began to use it for cosmetic purposes and for many ailments including [[Onychomycosis|toenail fungus]], genital rashes (non-[[sexually transmitted infection|STI]]), [[nosebleed]]s, [[diaper rash]], and [[common cold]]s. Its [[Home remedy|folkloric medicinal value]] as a "[[cure-all]]" has since been limited by a 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 drug|over-the-counter]] (OTC) [[Moisturizer|skin protectant]] and remains widely used in [[Cosmetics|cosmetic]] skin care, where it is often loosely referred to as [[mineral oil]].

== History ==
[[File:US127568 Vaseline patent.TIF|thumb|Original [[US patent]] application for the [[Vaseline]] product]]
[[Marco Polo]] in 1273 described the oil exportation of [[Baku]] oil by hundreds of camels and ships for burning and as an ointment for treating [[mange]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Travels of Marco Polo|publisher=Project Gutenberg|url=https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/10636/pg10636-images.html#Page_46|pages=46|language=English}}</ref>

[[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] discovered the use of petroleum jelly for protecting and healing the skin.<ref>{{cite book | page=240 | isbn=9780307717153| title=Indian Givers: How Native Americans Transformed the World| last1=Weatherford| first1=Jack| year=2010| publisher=Crown}}</ref> Sophisticated oil pits had been built as early as 1415–1450 in [[Western Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite book| isbn=978-0816053674 | page=199| title=American Indian Contributions to the World: 15,000 Years of Inventions and Innovations| last1=Keoke| first1=Emory Dean| last2=Porterfield| first2=Kay Marie| year=2003| publisher=Facts on File}}</ref> In 1859, workers operating the [[United States]]'s first [[Drilling rig|oil rigs]] noticed a [[Paraffin wax|paraffin]]-like material forming on rigs in the course of investigating malfunctions. Believing the substance hastened healing, the workers used the jelly on cuts and burns.<ref name="ReferenceA">The History of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly began in the Pennsylvania Oil Fields!, Drake Well Museum pamphlet, copyright 1996 by Holigan Group Ltd, Dallas, Texas.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vaseline.com.pk/about-us/history/ |title=Vasoline corporate history page |access-date=15 July 2015 |quote=...Chesebrough noticed that oil workers would smear their skin with the residue from their drills, as it had the property to heal their cuts and burns. He got curious and took some Rod Wax home where he started experimenting with it... |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530110104/http://www.vaseline.com.pk/about-us/history/ |archive-date=30 May 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

[[Robert Chesebrough]], a young chemist whose previous work of [[distillation|distilling]] fuel from the oil of [[sperm whales]] had been rendered obsolete by [[petroleum]], went to [[Titusville, Pennsylvania]], to see what new materials had commercial potential. Chesebrough took the unrefined green-to-gold-colored "rod wax", as the drillers called it, back to his laboratory to refine it and explore potential uses. He discovered that by distilling the lighter, thinner oil products from the rod wax, he could create a light-colored gel. Chesebrough [[patent]]ed the process of making petroleum jelly by {{US patent|127568}} 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 (state)|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 said, by his miracle product. He opened his first factory in 1870 in [[Brooklyn]] using the name [[Vaseline]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

== Physical properties ==
Petroleum jelly is a mixture of hydrocarbons, with a melting point that depends on the exact proportions. The melting point is typically between {{convert|40|and|70|C|F|round=5}}.<ref name="Leach2012">{{cite book|author=Robert Leach|title=The Printing Ink Manual|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G2wyBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA254|date=6 December 2012|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-94-011-7097-0|pages=254–}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.hciwax.com/index.php/products/patroleum-jelly.html| title=Petroleum Jelly| publisher=HCI Wax| access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref> It is flammable only when heated to liquid; then the fumes will light, not the liquid itself, so a [[candle wick|wick material]] 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 [[turpentine]].<ref name="inchem"/><ref>[http://www.makingcosmetics.com/msds1/msds-vaseline.pdf Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly) Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907171213/http://makingcosmetics.com/msds1/msds-vaseline.pdf |date=7 September 2008 }} (15 June 2007). MakingCosmetics.com Inc. Retrieved 5 August 2011.</ref>  Petroleum jelly is slightly soluble in alcohol.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Beringer, Paul |author2=Troy, David A. |author3=Remington, Joseph P. |title=Remington, the science and practice of pharmacy |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |location=Hagerstwon, MD |year=2006 |page=1077 |quote=Solubility--Insoluble in water; almost insoluble in cold or hot alcohol or in cold dehydrated alcohol; freely soluble in benzene, carbon disulfide, chloroform, or turpentine oil; soluble in ether, solvent hexane, or in most fixed and volatile oils, the degree of solubility in these solvents varying with the composition of the petrolatum. |isbn=978-0-7817-4673-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NFGSSSbaWjwC&pg=PA1077 |access-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> It acts as a [[plasticizer]] on [[polypropylene]] (PP),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.calpaclab.com/polypropylene-chemical-compatibility-chart/|title=Polypropylene Chemical Compatibility Chart|website=CP Lab Safety|access-date=27 July 2020}}</ref> but is compatible with a wide range of materials and chemicals.<ref>{{Cite web 
 | title = Industrial Petroleum Jelly and Its Uses 
 | url = https://paraffinco.com/industrial-petroleum-jelly-and-its-uses/ 
 | website = Paraffin Co 
 | date = 14 May 2024 
 | access-date = 2024-11-29}}</ref> It is a [[semi-solid]], in that it holds its shape indefinitely like a solid, but it can be forced to take the shape of its container without breaking apart, like a liquid, though it does not flow on its own. At room temperature, it has 20.9% solid fat content. Its microstructure is made up of partially crystalline stacks of lamellar sheets which immobilize the liquid portion.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=van Heugten |first1=A.J.P. |last2=Landman |first2=J. |last3=Petukhov |first3=A.V. |last4=Vromans |first4=H. |date=April 2018 |title=Study of petrolatum structure: Explaining its variable rheological behavior |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378517318300978 |journal=International Journal of Pharmaceutics |language=en |volume=540 |issue=1–2 |pages=178–184 |doi=10.1016/j.ijpharm.2018.02.016|pmid=29452154 |hdl=1874/363314 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> In general, only 7–13% of it is made up of high molecular weight paraffins, 30–45% of smaller paraffins, and 48–60% of small paraffins.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Barry |first1=B. W. |last2=Grace |first2=A. J. |date=September 1971 |title=Structural Rheological and Textual Properties of Soft Paraffins |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1745-4603.1971.tb01004.x |journal=Journal of Texture Studies |language=en |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=259–279 |doi=10.1111/j.1745-4603.1971.tb01004.x |pmid=28372028 |issn=0022-4901|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Depending on the specific application of petroleum jelly, it may be [[United States Pharmacopeia|USP]], [[British Pharmacopoeia|B.P.]], or [[European Pharmacopoeia|Ph. Eur.]] grade. This pertains to the processing and handling of the petroleum jelly so it is suitable for medicinal and personal-care applications.

== Uses ==
Petroleum jelly has lubricating and coating properties, including use on dry lips and dry skin. Below are some examples of the uses of petroleum jelly.

=== Medical treatment ===
Vaseline brand First Aid Petroleum Jelly, or ''carbolated petroleum jelly'' containing [[phenol]] to give the jelly additional [[antibacterial]] effect, has been discontinued.<ref>{{Cite web 
 | title = What Is Medicated Vaseline? 
 | url = https://www.reference.com/world-view/medicated-vaseline-ab9b1974e3795e6d
 | website = Reference.com
 | date = 4 August 2015
 | access-date = 2024-11-29}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 =MacEachern | first1 = William | first2 = Otis | last2 = Jillson | title = A Practical Sunscreen – 'Red Vet Pet' | journal = Archives of Dermatology | pmid = 14070829 | year = 1964 | volume = 89 | issue = 1 | pages = 147–50 | doi = 10.1001/archderm.1964.01590250153027 }}</ref>

The [[American Academy of Dermatology]] recommends keeping skin injuries moist with petroleum jelly to reduce scarring.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/injured-skin/wound-care |title=Proper wound care: How to minimize a scar |date=2017 |publisher=American Academy of Dermatology |access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1007/978-0-387-69007-0_136 |title=Pearls and Pitfalls in Cosmetic Oculoplastic Surgery |url=https://archive.org/details/pearlspitfallsco00hart |url-access=limited |year=2008 |last1=Khan |first1=Jemshed A. |chapter=CO2 Laser Resurfacing Immediate Postoperative Care Prior to Complete Epithelialization |isbn=978-0-387-25389-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/pearlspitfallsco00hart/page/n400 417] |editor1-first=Morris E. |editor1-last=Hartstein |editor2-first=John B. |editor2-last=Holds |editor3-first=Guy G. |editor3-last=Massry}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1046/j.1524-4725.2001.00201.x |title=Resurfacing of Pitted Facial Acne Scars with a Long-Pulsed Er:YAG Laser |year=2001 |last1=Jeong |first1=Jeung-Tae |last2=Kye |first2=Young-Chul |journal=Dermatologic Surgery |volume=27 |issue=2 |pages=107–10 |pmid=11207680|s2cid=6149974 }}</ref>

Petroleum jelly is used extensively by otorhinolaryngologists&mdash;ear, nose, and throat doctors&mdash;for nasal moisture and [[epistaxis]] treatment, and to combat nasal crusting. Large studies have found petroleum jelly applied to the nose for short durations to have no significant side effects.<ref>Loughran S, Spinou E, Clement WA, et al. A prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial of petroleum jelly/Vaseline for recurrent paediatric epistaxis. Clin Otolaryngol 2004; 29:266–269.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
 | pmid = 21292198
| year = 2011
| last1 = Wang
| first1 = Y. P.
| title = The effects of Vaseline gauze strip, Merocel, and Nasopore on the formation of synechiae and excessive granulation tissue in the middle meatus and the incidence of major postoperative bleeding after endoscopic sinus surgery
| journal = Journal of the Chinese Medical Association
| volume = 74
| issue = 1
| pages = 16–21
| last2 = Wang
| first2 = M. C.
| last3 = Chen
| first3 = Y. C.
| last4 = Leu
| first4 = Y. S.
| last5 = Lin
| first5 = H. C.
| last6 = Lee
| first6 = K. S.
| doi = 10.1016/j.jcma.2010.09.001
| s2cid = 25407737
| doi-access = free
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
 | pmid = 19373485
| year = 2009
| last1 = Repanos
| first1 = C
| title = A survey of postoperative nasal packing among UK ENT surgeons
| journal = European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
| volume = 266
| issue = 10
| pages = 1575–7
| last2 = McDonald
| first2 = S. E.
| last3 = Sadr
| first3 = A. H.
| doi = 10.1007/s00405-009-0978-8
| s2cid = 12923860
}}</ref>

Historically, it was also consumed for internal use and even promoted as "Vaseline confection".<ref>{{cite web|title=Vaseline |url=http://lcdl.library.cofc.edu/lcdl/catalog/lcdl:60674 |website=Lowcountry Digital Library |access-date=1 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903102600/http://lcdl.library.cofc.edu/lcdl/catalog/lcdl:60674 |archive-date=3 September 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Co1884">{{cite book|author=Chesebrough Manufacturing Co|title=Petroleum: Its Origin, Uses, and Future Development : a Highly Interesting Sketch|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BQZbAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA18|year=1884|publisher=Chesebrough Manufacturing Company|page=18}}</ref>

=== Skin and hair care ===
Most petroleum jelly today is used as an ingredient in skin [[lotion]]s and cosmetics, providing various types of skin care and protection by minimizing friction or reducing moisture loss, or by functioning as a grooming aid (e.g., [[pomade]]). It is also used for treating dry scalp and dandruff.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thewanderlustproject.com/vaseline-for-hair/ |work=thewanderlustproject.com |title=Vaseline for Dandruff |date=13 February 2021 |accessdate=14 February 2021 |archive-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228055633/https://thewanderlustproject.com/vaseline-for-hair/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Although long known as just an occlusive, recent studies show that it is actually able to penetrate into the stratum corneum and helps in better absorption of other cosmetic products. Applying a significant amount of petroleum jelly onto one's face before bed is known as "slugging".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryu |first=Jenna |title=What is 'slugging,' the viral moisturizing hack? Does it work? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2022/01/19/slugging-viral-vaseline-moisturizing-hack-does-work/6576539001/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> 

==== Preventing moisture loss ====
By reducing the loss of moisture via [[transepidermal water loss]], petroleum jelly can prevent [[chapped lips|chapped hands and lips]], and soften nail [[cuticle]]s.

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.<ref name="niirorg">{{Cite web 
 | title = Profitable Small Scale Industries & Business Opportunities 
 | url = https://www.niir.org/information-topics-content.php?section=238 
 | website = NIIR Project Consultancy Services (NPCS) 
 | access-date = 2024-11-29}}</ref>

==== Hair grooming ====
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]].<ref>{{citation|title=D.I.Y. Moustache Wax|author=Ted Sedman |publisher=[[Handlebar Club]]|year=2007|url=https://www.handlebarclub.co.uk/wax/diy.shtml|access-date=26 August 2017|author-link=Ted Sedman }}</ref><ref name="Uses"></ref>

==== Skin lubrication ====
Petroleum jelly can be used to reduce the friction between skin and clothing during various sport activities, for example to prevent [[chafing (skin)|chafing]] of the [[Perineum|seat region]] of cyclists, or the [[Fissure of the nipple|nipples]] of long distance runners wearing loose T-shirts, and is commonly used in the [[groin]] 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. However, it is not recommended for use with latex [[condoms]] during sexual activity, as it increases the chance of rupture.<ref name=thebody>{{cite web |url= http://www.thebody.com/content/art6019.html |title=Condoms Fact Sheet |work=thebody.com |date=4 June 2011 |access-date=5 August 2011|quote=The oils in … Vaseline … will make latex fall apart. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531032049/https://www.thebody.com/content/art6019.html |archive-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> In addition, petroleum jelly is difficult for the body to break down naturally, and may cause vaginal health problems when used for intercourse.<ref name="Uses">{{Cite web
 | title = Petroleum Jelly 
 | url = https://atamankimya.com/sayfalar.asp?LanguageID=2&cid=3&id=11&id2=10401
 | website = Ataman Chemicals
 | access-date = 2024-11-29}}</ref>

=== Product care and protection ===

==== Coating ====
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]] owner's manual as a preservative for light alloy (alleny) [[anodized]] [[Fuchs wheel]]s to protect them against corrosion from road salts and brake dust.<ref>P. 61 Porsche Owner's Manual 911 Turbo 911 Carrera WKD91102187</ref>

==== Finishing ====
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<ref>{{cite news|title=A new use for Vaseline|url=https://archive.org/stream/hardwaremerch1890toro#page/n107/mode/1up|access-date=19 April 2013|newspaper=Hardware|date=31 January 1890}}</ref><ref name="Uses"></ref> (when applied in a thin coat and then gently buffed off).

==== Lubrication ====
Petroleum jelly can be used to lubricate [[Zipper|zippers]] and [[slide rule]]s. It was also recommended by Porsche in maintenance training documentation for lubrication (after cleaning) of "Weatherstrips on Doors, Hood, Tailgate, Sun Roof".<ref>P.16 928S Maintenance and General Repairs - Service Training Center WKS006021</ref> It is used in bullet lubricant compounds.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fryxell|first1=Glen|title=From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners|pages=Chapter 5, Cast bullet lubrication|url=http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_5_Lubrication.htm}}</ref>

=== Industrial production processes ===
Petroleum jelly is a useful material when incorporated into candle wax formulas. It 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.<ref name="niirorg"></ref><ref name="Uses"></ref>

===Other===
====Explosives====
Petroleum jelly can be mixed with a high proportion of strong inorganic chlorates due to it acting as a plasticizer and a fuel source. An example of this is [[Cheddite]] C which consists of a ratio of 9:1, [[potassium chlorate|KClO<sub>3</sub>]] to petroleum jelly. This mixture is unable to detonate without the use of a [[Detonator|blasting cap]]. It is also used as a stabiliser in the manufacture of the propellant [[Cordite]].<ref name="Uses"></ref>

==== Mechanical, barrier functions ====
Petroleum jelly can be used to fill copper or fibre-optic cables using plastic insulation to prevent the ingress of water, see [[icky-pick]]. 

Petroleum jelly can be used to coat the inner walls of [[terrariums]] to prevent animals from crawling out to escape.

A stripe of petroleum jelly can be used to prevent the spread of a liquid (retain or confine a liquid to a specific area). 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]].<ref name="Uses"></ref>

Petroleum jelly is sometimes used to protect the terminals on batteries.<ref>{{Cite web
 | title = Petroleum Jelly for Electrical Industries
 | url = https://www.petronaftco.com/petroleum-jelly-for-electrical-industries/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20petroleum%20jelly%20can%20protect,in%20automotive%20and%20marine%20settings.
 | website = Petronaft Co.
 | date=28 February 2024 | access-date = 2024-11-29}}</ref> However, automobiles batteries require a silicone-based battery grease because it is less likely to melt and thus offers better protection.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Safely Clean Car Battery Corrosion |url=https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/how-to-clean-car-battery-corrosion |website=WebMD |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Car Battery Corrosion: How to Clean a Corroded Car Battery |url=https://www.autozone.com/diy/battery/clean-car-battery-corrosion |website=AutoZone DIY |date=September 2020 |access-date=9 October 2022}}</ref>

==== Surface cleansing ====
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 ====
Petroleum jelly is used to moisturize the paws of dogs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.okawvetclinic.com/paw-and-pad-care.pml|title=Paw and Pad Care &#124; Okaw Veterinary Clinic|website=www.okawvetclinic.com}}</ref> It is a common ingredient in [[hairball]] remedies for domestic cats.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spca.org/Document.Doc?id=87 |title=Cats & Hairballs |website=www.spca.org |access-date=18 December 2019 |archive-date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028191421/https://www.spca.org/Document.Doc?id=87 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cathealth.com/grooming/skin-and-fur/2154-hairballs-in-cats|title=Hairballs in Cats|first=Aquanta|last=LLC|website=www.cathealth.com}}</ref>

==== Sports ====
Some [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeepers in association football]] put petroleum jelly on their gloves to make them stickier.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pyzdrowski |first=Matt |title=Andre Onana uses Vaseline on his gloves - our goalkeeping expert finds out why |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5425064/2024/04/19/andre-onana-vaseline-gloves/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |language=en}}</ref>

== Health ==
Petroleum jelly contains [[Aromatic hydrocarbon|mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH)]]. Many MOAH, mainly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), are considered carcinogenic. The content of both MOAH and PAH in petroleum jelly products varies. The EU limits PAH content in cosmetics to 0.005%. The risks of PAH exposure through cosmetics have not been comprehensively studied, but food products with low levels (<3%) are not considered carcinogenic (by the EU).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chuberre |first1=B. |last2=Araviiskaia |first2=E. |last3=Bieber |first3=T. |last4=Barbaud |first4=A. |date=2019-11-07 |title=Mineral oils and waxes in cosmetics: an overview mainly based on the current European regulations and the safety profile of these compounds |journal=Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology |language=en |volume=33 |issue=S7 |pages=5–14 |doi=10.1111/jdv.15946 |issn=0926-9959|doi-access=free |pmid=31588613 }}</ref>

A 2012 scientific opinion by the [[European Food Safety Authority]] stated that mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) and [[Polyaromatic|polyaromatics]] were potentially [[Carcinogen|carcinogenic]] and may present a health risk.<ref name="EFSA">{{cite journal | title=Scientific Opinion on Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons in Food|author=EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain| journal=EFSA Journal | volume=10 | issue=6 | doi=10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2704 |year=2012| page=2704| doi-access=free }}</ref>

In 2015, German consumer watchdog [[Stiftung Warentest]] analyzed cosmetics containing mineral oils, finding significant concentrations of MOAH and polyaromatics in products containing mineral oils.<ref name="sw">{{cite web|url=https://www.test.de/Mineraloele-in-Kosmetika-Kritische-Stoffe-in-Cremes-Lippenpflegeprodukten-und-Vaseline-4853357-0/|title=Critical substances in creams, lip care products and Vaseline (translated from German)|publisher=Stiftung Warentest|date=26 May 2015|accessdate=25 May 2023}}</ref> Vaseline products contained the most MOAH of all tested cosmetics (up to 9%).<ref name=sw/> Based on the 2015 results, Stiftung Warentest warned consumers not to use Vaseline or any product that is based on mineral oils for lip care.<ref name=sw/>

A study published in 2017 found levels of MOAH levels to be up to 1% in petroleum jelly and likewise to be less than 1% in petroleum jelly-based beauty products.<ref name="PMC5497826">{{cite journal |vauthors=Lachenmeier DW, Mildau G, Rullmann A, Marx G, Walch SG, Hartwig A, Kuballa T |title=Evaluation of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in pure mineral hydrocarbon-based cosmetics and cosmetic raw materials using 1H NMR spectroscopy |journal=F1000Res |volume=6 |pages=682 |date=2017 |pmid=28721203 |pmc=5497826 |doi=10.12688/f1000research.11534.2 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
* {{EB1911|wstitle=Vaseline}}

{{NIE Poster|Petrolatum}}

{{E number infobox 900-909}}
{{Dosage forms|state=expanded}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Petroleum Jelly}}
[[Category:Petroleum products]]
[[Category:Cosmetics chemicals]]
[[Category:Personal lubricants]]
[[Category:Amorphous solids]]
[[Category:Dosage forms]]
[[Category:American inventions]]