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What is petroleum jelly made of?
Petroleum jelly (also called petrolatum) is a mixture of mineral oils and waxes, which form a semisolid jelly-like substance. This product hasn’t changed much since Robert Augustus Chesebrough discovered it in 1859. Chesebrough noticed that oil workers would use a gooey jelly to heal their wounds and burns. He eventually packaged this jelly as Vaseline.
Petroleum jelly’s benefits come from its main ingredient petroleum, which helps seal your skin with a water-protective barrier. This helps your skin heal and retain moisture. Read on to learn what else you can use petroleum jelly for.
1. Heal minor skin scrapes and burns
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2. Moisturize your face, hands, and more
Face and body lotion: Apply petroleum jelly after a shower. As an occlusive moisturizer, it prevents your skin from drying out. You can also use it fordry nosesduring cold or allergy season.
Cracked heels:用一些盐把脚浸泡在温水中d to it. Towel-dry thoroughly and apply petroleum jelly and clean cotton socks.
Improve your gardening hands: After washing and drying, use some petroleum jelly and a clean pair of gloves to help lock in moisture and accelerate healing.
Chapped lips: Apply to chapped lips as you would any chapstick.
Read more: Choosing a healthy facial moisturizer »
3. Help for pet paws
Your dog’s pad skin can crack and produce a great deal of discomfort. Clean their paws with cotton gauze, dry, and apply the jelly. Ideally this should be done after a walk or when your pet is resting. Only use a small amount as your pet may lick their paws, and consuming too much could cause an upset stomach.
4. Prevent diaper rash
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5. Remove eye makeup
Oil is an effective way to remove makeup, and petroleum jelly is safe to use in the eye area, according to astudyon eye ultrasounds. Use a cotton pad or Q-tip (for hard to reach areas), and press gently without tugging too hard on your skin. Make sure to close your eyes as you wipe. Some people also swear by using it on crow’s feet lines.
6. Save split ends
Sun and wind exposure as well as pool water can dry up your hair. Petroleum jelly can reduce the look of split ends and add shine to your hair. Rub a small amount of jelly between your palms and apply to hair ends.
7. Prevent skin stains from hair dye or nail polish
Apply petroleum jelly along your hairline to prevent hair dye from staining your skin. This also works if you like to paint your nails at home. A barrier of petroleum jelly is easy to wipe away when you’re done.
8. Preserve perfume scents
Using petroleum jelly as a base for your perfume can help it last longer.
9. Use as lube for stuck objects
如果困在你的手指一圈,把一些果冻on your finger, making sure you get some around and under the ring. This will help the ring slip off your finger.
For door hinges, apply a bit of jelly right on the hinge and swing the door a few times to spread evenly. Wipe off the excess.
While petroleum jelly has many benefits, it should be for external use only. Do not eat or insert petroleum jelly. Avoid using petroleum jelly for masturbation or as a vaginal lubricant. According toReuters, a study of 141 women found that 17 percent used petroleum jelly internally and 40 percent of them tested positive for bacterial vaginosis.
The brand and type of jelly you purchase may cause different reactions. These include:
Potential side effects
- Allergies: Some people are more sensitive and can develop allergies if they use petroleum-derived products. Always keep an eye out for irritations and adverse reactions when using a new product.
- Infections: Not allowing the skin to dry or cleaning the skin properly before applying petroleum jelly can cause fungal or bacterial infections. A contaminated jar can also spread bacteria if you insert jelly vaginally.
- Aspiration risks: Check with your doctor before using petroleum jelly around the nose area, especially in children. Inhaling mineral oils may causeaspiration pneumonia.
- Clogged pores: Some people may break out when using petroleum jelly. Make sure you clean the skin properly before you apply the jelly to reduce the risk of breakouts.
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Petroleum jelly has been a staple in the medical and beauty industry for a long time due to its emollient properties, ability to help with skin healing, and also due to its safe record. Be sure to choose triple-distilled, purified product (the well-known old timer Vaseline is one of them) in order to avoid putting any toxic contaminants on your skin, some of which are potentially carcinogenic.
As with any other product you use on your skin, monitor initial uses for signs of allergy or rashes. You may also want to opt for products that are plant-derived instead of the oil-based petroleum jelly, if you are concerned about the impact on the environment.