The main ingredient of Vaseline is petroleum jelly and this substance is frequently used in numerous different beauty products and a lot of people also use it on its own to moisturize and soften different skin parts. It is scent-free and inexpensive and it is one of the most popular skin care products.
However, experts advise people to stop applying it onto their skin because it can do more harm than good, as noted on Healthy Holistic Living.
Petroleum Jelly Explained
This substance is actually a by-product of oil refining and it is not eco-friendly nor sustainable. Originally discovered at the bottom of oil rigs, it later became refined and started being used in the beauty industry. The label claims that all of the dangerous ingredients have been eliminated prior to its addition to beauty products; but some sources claim that it still has some harmful elements, including hydrocarbons.
Petroleum Jelly: A Viable Skin Moisturizing Product or Not?
Petroleum jelly, as explained on Healthy Holistic Living, is frequently combined with baby products, lotions, and creams because of its capacity to form a protective skin barrier and hold moisture in.
Also known as paraffin oil, liquid paraffin or mineral oil, though it may be beneficial because of its moisture-trapping property, it has its cons too. Namely, taking into consideration that it is also waterproof and not water soluble, it forms a waterproof skin barrier. This blocks the pores and results in trapped residue and bad bacteria. This being said, petroleum jelly should not be applied onto burns and sunburns because it will prevent the skin’s capacity to heal on its own.
Other Problems with Petroleum-Jelly
Even though you may think that petroleum jelly leaves your skin moisturized and hydrated, it is not beneficial for you. Namely, the skin cannot properly metabolize it and therefore, the substance acts as a barrier until it wears off. The body does not benefit from it as it does from other natural moisturizers such as cocoa or shea butter.
Also, experts are concerned of the hydrocarbons in it because of a 2011 study which showed that mineral oil hydrocarbons contaminate the body, around 1 gram per individual. Some of the potential ways in which we can poison our body with it are through foods, inhalation, and through the skin.
Furthermore, some believe that petroleum jelly can trigger collagen breakdown because of the barrier it creates and by slowing down the capacity of the skin to breathe and absorb the needed nutrients. As a result, the renewal of cells is impeded and the skin will now have to draw moisture and nutrients from within, causing breakdown of collagen and eventually wrinkled skin.
Petroleum jelly is known to have xenoestrogens, chemicals that may cause estrogen dominance, i.e. high amount of estrogen and very low levels of progesterone have been associated with menstrual issues, allergies, sleeping issues, and infertility, among others.
Safer Alternatives to Petroleum Jelly
- Cocoa butter
- Shea butter
- Beeswax
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba oil
- Almond oil
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