Winter is right around the corner. As the weather around you begins to shift, your skin is likely to suffer the most. The inevitable change in the atmosphere will cause the skin to become dry, cracked, and scaly.
People who are super conscious about their skin start to take their skincare routine even more seriously. Apart from moisturizing creams and lotions, petroleum jelly becomes the primary way of dealing with dull, dry skin.
Petroleum jelly has been enjoying an honorable position in our skincare industry for the last 100 years. Petrolatum or petroleum-based products can effectively treat skin-related issues, including diaper rashes, minor burns, and scrapes. However, over time, the use of petroleum-based products has become controversial.
What Is Petroleum Jelly?
Petrolatum or more commonly known as petroleum jelly is a petroleum by-product. It’s a soft paraffin or wax mixture sold as a topical skin ointment. Petroleum is a mixture of mineral oils and waxes, which form a semi-solid jelly-like substance. It is thick and waxy and is popularly used as a moisturizing agent.
Oil rig workers accidentally discovered Petrolatum in 1859. Workers working on the oil drilling site noticed a thick oily substance on the machinery and at the bottom of empty oil barrels. The workers began to use viscous substances on their wounds, cuts, and bruises. Soon the product was produced as a brand, Vaseline, which entered the skincare industry in 1870.
Today petroleum is being used in various products under different names, such as mineral oil, toluene, parfum, methanol, and candles.
Why Is Petroleum Jelly Bad For Health?
Why is it considered bad for human health in general when petroleum-based products are so widely used by cosmetic brands?
In its natural state, petroleum is filled with impurities. Usually, petroleum is refined and transformed into mineral oil. Refined petrolatum is safe for the skin and can be used without worries.
However, unrefined petroleum is contaminated with toxic chemicals such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are chemical compounds that are naturally found in crude oil and coal. Continuous exposure to hydrocarbons is said to harm human health. The hydrocarbons are harmful to the nervous system, cardiovascular system, kidneys, and gastrointestinal system.
It Can Cause Cancer
If petroleum jelly has been a staple product in your home during winter, you need to reset your priorities to fight the cold.
Contaminated petrolatum has a high amount of PAHs. PAHs are considered carcinogenic. Carcinogens are chemicals that are known to have cancerous properties. According to studies, prolonged exposure to PAHs in women may lead to breast cancer.
Petroleum Jelly Is Not A Moisturizing Cream
It may sound surprising, but petroleum jelly has no moisturizing properties. When applied on the skin, Vaseline works as a barrier cream. The thick substance creates an impenetrable layer on your skin, locking in all the moisture. And since petroleum jelly is water-repellent, it does not allow moisture to leave your skin. It gives your skin a nourished, smooth feel; underneath that layer, there is also dirt and grime.
Apart from locking moisture, petroleum jelly also locks dirt, sweat, bacteria, and other toxins that your skin wants to expel. It is problematic for people having oily skin.
It Causes Your Skin To Age
Petroleum jelly is non-breathable. It means Vaseline not only locks in water but also prevents air and moisture from reaching your skin. It disturbs the skin’s ability to breathe and absorb nutrients causing the pores to dry out.
The dry pores reduce the cell’s renewal process forcing the skin to draw moisture from within. The skin then breaks down the collagen, which ultimately leads to wrinkles.
It Disturbs The Estrogen Level
Petrolatum also contains an increased level of xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are chemicals that disturb the hormones and trip the body’s estrogen level. The chemicals attack the hormone receptors and cause estrogen dominance.
Estrogen dominance refers to the high level of estrogen in the body. However, there are low levels of progesterone to balance the increasing number of estrogen. This imbalance leads to other health issues such as infertility, menstrual problems, accelerated aging, nutrient deficiencies, sleep problems, and allergies.
It Is Difficult To Wash Off
Petroleum jelly is not soluble in water. Vaseline has a thick texture and is quite sticky, making it difficult to wipe it off with a hand sanitizer or cleaning wipes.
It Is Not Eco-friendly
Petrolatum is a byproduct of oil and is not sustainable. The extraction process of petroleum jelly from petroleum itself is complicated. The process has a negative impact on the environment and is toxic to all forms of life. When consumers continue to buy products made from petrolatum, big oil companies are compelled to carry out the toxic extraction process. You are getting an unhealthy product for you and the environment around you.
Best Alternatives To Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is one of many products sufficient to give you smooth, nourishing skin. If you want to avoid diaper rashes, acne, and other skin-related problems, AvaCare Medical has many skincare products for you. We have skincare products, from barrier creams to antifungal ointments, that keep your skin healthy and nourished.
Want to find the right product for your skin type, contact our experts at 1.877.813.7799.