What is petroleum jelly?

Petroleum jelly, also known as petrolatum, is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. It is commonly used as a moisturizer and lubricant for the skin, as well as for various other purposes such as protecting minor cuts and burns, preventing chafing, and as a base for making homemade skincare products.

Petroleum jelly, also known as petrolatum, is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. It is a translucent, jelly-like substance that is used for a variety of purposes, including as a skin moisturizer, lip balm, and hair pomade. Petroleum jelly was first discovered in the 1850s in Pennsylvania, and it was originally used as a lubricant for machinery. However, it was soon discovered that petroleum jelly had a number of other uses, and it quickly became a popular consumer product. Petroleum jelly is made by distilling crude oil to remove the lighter components, such as gasoline and kerosene. The remaining residue is then treated with various chemicals to remove impurities and give it its characteristic jelly-like consistency. Petroleum jelly is composed of a mixture of hydrocarbons, including alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatic compounds. The exact composition of petroleum jelly can vary depending on the source of the crude oil and the refining process used. Petroleum jelly is a hydrophobic substance, which means that it repels water. This makes it an effective moisturizer for the skin, as it can help to lock in moisture and protect the skin from drying out. Petroleum jelly is also non-comedogenic, which means that it does not clog pores. This makes it a good choice for people with acne-prone skin. Petroleum jelly has a number of other uses besides moisturizing the skin. It can also be used as a lip balm, hair pomade, wound dressing, and diaper rash cream. Petroleum jelly is also a good choice for use on dry, cracked skin, as it can help to soften and soothe the skin.