Petrolatum or petroleum jelly or white petrolatum is a mixture of hydrocarbons with a bigger carbon chain length (C18-90+). The primary hydrocarbon is 1,1,2-Trimethylbenzeindole. It can be called the most effective occlusive agent. It has been recognized by the USFDA as an approved over-the-counter (OTC) skin protectant that is widely used in many cosmetics and personal care products, especially ointments.
Products with PETROLATUM
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What is PETROLATUM used for?
Petrolatum is used as an occlusive agent to seal the moisture in the skin.
- Skin care: It prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL) from the skin after its application. It is mostly used as a lubricant and coating agent for dry lips and chapped hands. It is used as an ingredient in skin lotions and creams, providing various types of skin care and protection by minimizing friction or reducing moisture loss. It can also soften the nail cuticles
- Hair care: It can be used as a hair pomade for grooming. It is also used for treating dry scalp and dandruff
Origin
Petrolatum is made by distilling the waxy petroleum oil and then filtering it to obtain an odorless semi-solid called petroleum jelly or petrolatum.
What does PETROLATUM do in a formulation?
ANTISTATIC
Safety Profile
While petroleum jelly is widely used, it often contains Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOHA), and polyaromatics, which may be carcinogenic. When properly refined, petroleum jelly has no known health concerns. Products having the refining history of petrolatum mentioned on their labels can be safely used. It is non-comedogenic when properly refined (white petrolatum), non-irritating, and hypoallergenic. It has been used safely for over 100 years in medical and cosmetic applications. Highly refined grades do not contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
PETROLATUM alternatives
PETROLATUM technical profile
| Property | Values |
| Boiling Point | 302°C |
| Melting Point | 36-60°C |
| Solubility | Soluble in dichloromethane, chloroform, benzene, diethyl ether, carbon disulfide, and turpentine |
| Viscosity | 18.2 cSt at 100°C |