What Is It Made of?
Also known as petrolatum, petroleum jelly is a mixture of waxes and mineral oils that combine to form a semisolid jelly-like substance using barrel pumps to transfer the product into user-friendly packaging. Discovered by Robert Augustus Chesebrough in 1859, petroleum jelly has not changed significantly over the years. He noticed that workers in the oil industry applied a gooey jelly as a remedy to burns and minor wounds. He thereafter packaged the gooey jelly as Vaseline.
The petroleum in the jelly is the main beneficial ingredient used in the jelly. The petroleum helps to seal your skin, forming a water-tight barrier that enhances your skin’s water retention. In doing this, it helps the skin to heal much faster. To understand the various uses of petroleum jelly, read on.
The Uses And Benefits Of Petroleum Jelly
1. Heal Minor Skin Burns And Scrapes
Studies have shown that petroleum jelly is very effective at helping the skin retain moisture while healing from post-surgery wounds. As such, patients can leverage these properties to heal regular minor skin injuries. That being said, it is important to ensure that you ensure your skin surface is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Applying petroleum jelly on the skin surface with pathogens and bacteria will trap these organisms, infecting the skin and delaying or compromising the healing process.
2. Moisturise Your Hands, Face And Other Parts Of Your Skin
Using Petroleum Jelly As A Face And Body Lotion – For the best results, apply the petroleum jelly after you take a shower. Given that it is an occlusive moisturiser, petroleum jelly prevents your skin from drying. As such, it is a good solution to use for dry noses during the allergy and cold seasons.
Using Petroleum Jelly To Deal With Cracked Heels – To deal with cracked feet, soak your feet in warm water slightly salty water. Thereafter, towel-dry and apply petroleum jelly. Once you finish this process, wear clean cotton socks.
Using Petroleum Jelly To Take Care Of Your Hands – Wash and dry your hands then apply some petroleum jelly. Thereafter, put on clean cotton gloves to help lock in the moisture.
Using Petroleum Jelly To Deal With Chapped Lips – Just apply petroleum jelly on your chapped lips. It’s that simple.
3. Dealing With Pet Paws Issues
If you notice cracks on your dog’s pads and the discomfort arising from the cracks, use petroleum jelly to treats their paws. After taking your dog for a walk or when the dog is resting, clean the paws using cotton gauze and dry the paws. Thereafter apply the jelly.
4. Prevent Nappy Rash
Studies have shown that petroleum jelly can reduce nappy rashes in babies. To use it, just clean and thoroughly dry your child’s skin with a clean towel. Thereafter apply the petroleum jelly. The petroleum jelly forms a barrier that protects their skin from being overexposed to moisture. However, should the rashes persist, visit a doctor.
5. Removing Eye Makeup
As you might know, oil is a very effective makeup removal medium. Moreover, an eye ultrasound study revealed that petroleum jelly is safe to use around the eye region. Just use cotton and or Q-tip with petroleum jelly pressing to remove the oil. Ensure you press lightly without tugging the skin too hard. Always close your eye while doing this.
Additionally, there are people who use it on crow’s feet line. You might give that a try as well.
6. Deal With Split Ends
Exposing your hair to the wind and the sun or even swimming pool water can cause your hair to split. To deal with this issue, just rub a small amount of petroleum jelly between your palms. Apply to your hair ends to reduce their appearance.
7. Prevent Skin Stains Caused By Nail Polish And Hair Dye
Petroleum jelly is applied along the hairline as a protective barrier between the dye and your skin, thereby preventing dying your skin. The practice is used when applying nail polish, especially at home in a DIY setting
8. Preserve Perfume Scents
You can apply petroleum jelly on your skin as your perfume base. This helps it last longer.
9. As Lubricant For Stuck Objects
You use the jelly to remove a stuck ring. Just apply some petroleum jelly around your finger and slip the ring out.
You can use petroleum jelly on door hinges to lubricate the door. Just apply and swing the door or window to help the jelly spread evenly.
Petroleum jelly has been a staple product in the beauty industry and the medical industry for hundreds of years now owing to its safety record, ability to heal the skin, and emollient properties. That being said, for the best results, ensure you choose a triple-distilled and purified petroleum jelly – such as the world-renowned petroleum products Vaseline. Using purified jelly reduces the chances of coming into contact with toxic contaminants, some which are classified as carcinogens.