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Helmenstine holds a Ph. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter. Updated November 05, Featured Video.
Cite this Article Format. On a more day-to-day application, petroleum jelly's ability to prevent moisture loss makes it a popular product used to prevent chapped hands and lip and is often found as an ingredient in lotion. It can also be used as a skin lubricant to prevent friction between skin and clothing, especially in athletes. Petroleum Jelly has a wide range of uses outside of the human body, too, including but not limited to coating corrosion-prone items; an inexpensive water repellent; to finish and protect wood; to condition and protect smooth leather products; lubricate zippers; and moisturize dog paws.
So the next time you reach for a jar of good old Vaseline, know that even though it is derived from the same petroleum that enables your car engine to run, greasing up with petroleum jelly isn't the same as using crude oil--and the Vaseline products on the shelves are much more refined than the rod wax 19th century oil workers rubbed on their wounds. Back to Blog Homepage. Thank you, English language, for actually making sense for once. The Wonder Jelly This jelly is NOT recommended for your toast Not all greases, lubricants, and jellies are created equal which is why we don't recommend substituting your petrolatum for, say, Chevron Delo ESI , or vice versa!
Nobody likes chaffing--nobody A verified medical use for petroleum jelly is to protect and prevent moisture loss of the initial post-operative period following laser skin resurfaces. It is just one of literally thousands of products that are derived from the refining of crude oil.
Our homes would look fairly sparse if were to rid ourselves of the plastics, detergents, cosmetics etc that rely so heavily on petrochemicals and other refinery by-products for their manufacture. That's not to say such a dependence is a wise thing — it most likely isn't if the predicted crunchy peak occurs to our oil supplies. But I think, as do most of the commentators below, that worrying about the overuse of Vaseline, now owned by Unilever, is very low down our the list of concerns.
But I sense from your question, Jane, that you are equally, if not more, concerned about the health implications of applying petroleum jelly to your skin. There is, of course, a fast growing corner of the cosmetics market that meets the demands of those who seek products free from any petrochemicals.
Ingredients such as propylene glycol, acetone and the various parabens are being increasingly shunned by consumers fearing they might be triggers for a wide range of problems, including eczema. Some even fear they might be carcinogens. Manufacturers now go out of their way to stress that their products are safe to use and all must meet strict regulatory standards, but the doubts among some consumers still persist.
The precautionary principle is now being commonly applied when it comes to rubbing a product on one's skin. We know that our epidermis absorbs these products and that they can end up entering our blood stream, so why, some say, take the risk? I can't disagree really, but then again, if there is a choice, I do instinctively tend to be far more concerned about the wider environmental impact of a product, and its manufacture, than what it might be doing to my own personal health.
On the issue of coal tar soap, I was intrigued to see "Englishmancastle's" note about coal tar soap now being banned by the EU. I had heard this, too, but it looks as if coal tar has only been banned when used in its purest form, such as coating the hulls of boats, and in non-prescription products, such as the famous Wright's Coal Tar soap, which is now called Wright's Traditional Soap and is "coal tar fragranced".
Coal tar shampoos do seem to still be available, though, to those suffering from conditions such as dandruff.
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