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Vaseline is the panacea of winter skin problems, but lately rumor has it that petroleum jelly is bad. But why? I know some of it has to do with the environment: Petroleum comes from the same place as gasoline, so it’s not exactly “green” beauty. But it’s not just the eco-friendly who shun petroleum; there’s also concern for the bad things it can do to your skin and body. Just don’t ask anyone why—it’s surprisingly tough to find out what’s so bad about petroleum jelly. So I asked around and found some straightforward answers, as well as some ways to make sure your winter skin isn’t left in the lurch.
First, a quick primer on where petroleum products like Vaseline come from, and why they’re not eco-friendly: Petroleum jelly is basically a byproduct of the oil industry. It’s a leftover residue created during the refinery of crude oil, and as such, isn’t a sustainable resource, according to many. Still, some argue that the demand for Vaseline is hardly what’s pushing the world towards oil shortage; gasoline and plastics are a more immediate concern.
But however you feel about the eco-concerns of Vaseline, there’s still some worry about whether it’s really that good for your skin. Spirit Demerson, founder of Spirit Beauty Lounge, should know: Her online shop only carries products that she’s carefully selected to be non-toxic and eco-friendly; and doesn’t just go by the label. She carefully investigates each product, where it comes from, and what it’s made of to ensure that she’s really selecting products that make sense for our bodies and the environment. Here’s what she has to say about petroleum:
I chose not to carry petroleum products first, for the planet, because petroleum is not a sustainable resource and second because I don’t think they’re the best we can do for our skin!
While petroleum is generally regarded as “safe” for use in cosmetics, there are some very cosmetic reasons for not using it:
- Because petroleum jelly forms a seal over the skin, it disrupts the bodies process of elimination of toxins through the pores, potentially trapping them under the skin.
- It creates a false sense or “feeling” of skin comfort and hydration while in fact it does nothing to nurture, heal or restore natural moisture to the skin.
- It slows cellular regeneration, which can damage collagen, elastin and connective tissue and contribute to the appearance of aging.
- It’s used as a base for cosmetics and medications because it stays on the skin but, while it is classified as non-comedogenic, it is also water-repellant and not water-soluble, making it difficult to cleanse from the skin. Even a minimal daily application can build up in the pores and attract dirt and bacteria, causing breakouts and skin irritation.
Natural alternatives deeply nourish and truly hydrate the skin, while rebuilding collagen and balancing moisture levels so that the skin isn’t just temporarily relieved of dryness, itching or chapping – it’s actually restored to the point that it stays hydrated and repairs better on its own.
Here’s what Spirit suggests to replace your favorite petro-products:
“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no authority to require companies to test products for safety. FDA does not review or approve the vast majority of products or ingredients before they go on the market.” For more myths on cosmetic safety, go to:
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/myths-on-cosmetics-safety/
Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, and Cadmium are among the elements that come from the earth and while inorganic, they are “natural.” Being natural does not mean they are good for you. These elements and others are in fossil fuels like petroleum.
Radionuclides are also brought up to the surface from the drilling of oil and gas in South Louisiana, and while natural, they cause bone cancer in pets, livestock, and people, and possibly wildlife. Being natural is no promise of being good for you, nor is being manmade.
Most pharmaceuticals in the USA are made by humans from fossil fuels. While they may be helpful in tiny amounts, they are not without harm.
Furthermore, the cosmetics industry is not regulated in the USA. Although that may soon change against the desires of the industry. See more at: http://tinyurl.com/6nm9zh7
The Environmental Working Group’s “Skin Deep database gives you practical solutions to protect yourself and your family from everyday exposures to chemicals…Companies are allowed to use almost any ingredient they wish. The U.S. government doesn’t review the safety of products before they’re sold.”
Arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury are all elements and are all natural, but that does not mean they are good for you, or good for your skin. They come from the “earth” just as petroleum. In fact, radionuclides, which cause bone cancer, surfaced when oil and natural gas was drilled in South Louisiana. Radionuclides are part of the production waters classified as Normally Occurring Radioactive Wastes. NORM is loopholed out of the hazardous waste law, but that does not mean it is not toxic! So even though it is normally occurring and comes from the earth, radionuclides still cause bone cancer in pets, and other animals, including people. That does not mean that radionuclides are in petroleum jelly. It simply means that they are part of the process of drilling for oil and gas and are left behind with the production waters to contaminate the soil and the food web.
Petroleum IS organic. Please THINK! Where don’t the dots connect in your mind? Yes it is mixed to produce many items you use every day without consideration. Do your research on Petroleum before you embarress yourself writing an article about something of which you DO NOT know. You will be surprised to find what you use on a daily basis that contains petroleum. It has and will continue to make your life much easier than it would be otherwise.
BTW: Yes, petrolatum products do seal out moisure, but the cosmetics industry has also pushed the premise that they also SEAL IN moisture, preventing or improving dryness. Which may very well be the explanation for why so many people here posted that they will continue to use it. Please. Do some actual research before publishing ANYTHING. This is just embarressing to read.
There is a difference between organic chemistry and organic as in organic agriculture and green technology. And, petroleum is not green, even though it may come from organic chemistry. Organic chemistry is often toxic and can be absorbed through the skin.
I’m looking for all information, so I can read and heed any warnings before making a decision.
The cosmetics industry is self regulated. But, that may soon change despite objections from the industry.
“The problem is that there is no one minding the store. There is no federal regulation or law that says companies have to make safe products,” according to Janet Nudelman, spokeswoman for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition that advocates for safer cosmetics and hygiene products.
Read more at:
http://tinyurl.com/6nm9zh7
According to the Environmental Working Group, in their online paper, Skin Deep: “Companies are allowed to use almost any ingredient they wish. The U.S. government doesn’t review the safety of products before they’re sold.”
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/site/about.php
Petroleum is the only product that I can use these days due to allergies to everything else out there! More and more people like myself are allergic to coconut oils and nut oils like shea butter and so on….these oils seem to be in ALL products these days leading to over exposure then allergies because of it!! Proteins in the “natural”oil products can cause serious allergic reactions in some people. Vaseline is cheap yes, but effective and safer. I am a former natural shopper spending too much money on essential oils and oils that only gave me acne!
When I was poisoned with mixed xylene isomers, the active ingredient of the chemical wood/floor stripper I used to remove the wax from my vinyl floors (the gloves I was using leaked and the floor stripper permeated my skin, defatting it and causing neurological damage to my hands and fingers, the only substance that worked after repeated applications, was Mode-de Vie, shea butter. The shea butter was repeatedly applied over several months, had no ill effects, and eventually softened by sandpaper rough and bleeding hands and fingers. The nerve damage is still prevalent but the shea butter softened my skin without side effects. Vasoline did not help..
Use organic coconut oil on your skin and lips. It moisturizes skin and even gives your skin a healthy glow.
I’ve used Vaseline for almost 50 years. Skin-care professionals have repeatedly told me ,”Whatever you are using on your skin keep using it because your skin is beautiful.” I plan on using it for another 50 years!!!
Try J.R. Watkins naturals lip balm beeswax and lip tints they are 100% natural.
I am totally surprised that more people don’t know about NOXEMA, one of the very best skin cremes around. Most people think it is greasy but it is not. Noxema is the best for sunburn also.
how about a price comparison for the things.
I always find it so funny, when people suggest petroleum is not natural.
What’s not natural about petroleum anyway?
Petroleum comes from natural primordial biological life (plants, animals, etc) buried long ago and modified by natural geologic processees. That’s why it’s called “fossil fuel” after all.
What could be more natural than that?
It’s a limited supply at the moment.. but is actually renewable if we are willing to wait a few million years for it to be replenished.
Yes, sometimes the way we use it is not natural, but just because something is distilled from petroleum doesn’t mean it’s not natural.
Natural does not mean good for you! There are many natural things that are carcinogens etc. and can make you sick over time or kill you quickly.
You’re exactly right, “Natural does not mean good for you!
I don’t think I implied that in any way?
And your point supports my premise… people who insist on “natural products” need to get a life.
Petro meaning gasoline. Why would people want it on their face? It also blocks moisturizer from going in.
Raw shea butter is cheaper and overwhelmingly superior to petroleum jelly.
It is more versatile as well.I use it on my hair,as a lip balm(I play trombone for a living), and as a lotion. $10 will buy one enough to las a year. Get real RAW shea butter. The Body Shop, Bath & Body Works products use an adulterated version. Try it!
If you have eczema, what you can do is to take some vaseline, and some water and kinda smush it around in the palm of your hand, then apply the mixture on where the eczema is. It helps a lot. I don’t think this article is true, and I think its just another piece of crap that is foisted upon everyone as factual, when it isn’t.
Not such a great article because it misses the most important point. Petroleum is an artificial estrogen, many times more powerful than human or plant estrogens. I won’t use Vaseline for that reason. It may do great things to your skin today but over the long haul, if you want to protect yourself from various cancers, you may want to stay away from powerful artificial estrogens.
Petroleum jelly is the white creamy substance that used to annoy oil drillers because it would make the drill head over slippery, they used to throw it away until the noticed that many of the oil workers would rub it on their hands to relieve calluses and other issues with their rough hands. Vaseline was born. I learned that from Modern Marvels.
More marketing drivel from a non-scientist..
Anyone who has had a dry patch on their lips or hands and had it heal in one day with the help of Vaseline knows better. As for the sustainability, how much Vaseline do they think we use per year. we extract BILLIONs of barrels (thats barrels not gallons) of oil every year… I would guess that all the Vaseline used per year could be produced by a few thousand barrels..
Briana.
After many decades if not centuries have proven that petroleum jelly and other constituents based off of oil and such are not as detrimental as you knee jerk environmentalist type want to push.
See if not for specific items made from petroleum products you might be dead. See even medical supplies and medicines have been developed and pioneered from NATURAL occurring elements from the earth.
Trying to push “natural” or “eco friendly” products generally are less friendly than most people want to brag about.
Cars that burn gasoline now days emit CO2 and water as the majority of their exhaust.
Now lets see, just watched a Greenpeace ad about NOT using coal power,,then the wonderful Nissan Leaf electric car,,,,,powered by coal power. Yeah real eco friendly.
The fact is that the tree huggers stopped nuclear power plants since 1978. Also they stopped all research and development. Heck if we had pushed for better designed reactors such as LMSR reactors that the left overs have a half life of 300yrs over 10,000 yrs like regular reactors.
and all these other “clean” or “green” ways to do something.
How about recycle what you can, reuse what you can and figure out what is best to do with rest. Also how about we use EFFICIENTLY what we have available and work towards a clean more efficient way of existing.
BUT sorry the fact is Vaseline isnt unsafe or unhealthy. Face it, if you want natural, fine, but bashing what you are trying to replace with “natural” isnt good, its simply bashing.
blah, blah, blah, dude. this jelly is really good for coating your shoes and boots!!! of course there are other needs for a water-proof coating!
The “article” says not to use petroleum jelly because it’s bad for the environment, but the idiot writing it advises us to use Neosporin or Aquaphor as alternatives–both of which use petrolatum as their base ingredients. Really?
No, not really. You misread the slideshow. It showed the petroleum-based product, e.g. Neosporin, next to the suggested alternative–in this case, MJ’s Herbals First Aid Salve.
I agree! The Rosebud Salve has petroleum jelly…so obvious the person she interviewed doesn’t know her products. I was new to this blog, but it lost credibility because just read about the lead free lipsticks and the one she recommended had lead in it! Really??
This is ridiculous. Please cite relevant research (and by research, I do not mean a shopowner’s opinion used to sell her own products or anecdotal evidence from said shopowner) that details the physiological and biochemical effects of vaseline. Additionally, please cite relevant research that proves that these alternatives are indeed superior.
Using scientific terminology in an attempt to fool consumers into buying expensive products is a terrible thing to do.
By the way, cells do not “regenerate.”
This article should be reported as a SCAM that tries to entice people to buy unnecessary expensive products.
I have been using vaseline since I was six and I am almost 60. I have used on all my children since babies. We all have very good skin. No pimples or any thing else. So I disagree with anything negative you have to say about vaseline. I which you could see my skin.
The complexion of ones skin is also determined by genetics. So if you yourself had good skin, chances are your children will as well regardless of what products they use.
I’ve always known that petroleum jelly was not eco-friendly, but I had not heard how bad it is for your skin. I use Vaseline as night cream EVERY night. It’s the only product that has cured the terrible cystic acne that I’ve had for as long as I can remember. My face is now supple, smooth, and completely acne free, and that is because of Vaseline only. I will continue to use it regardless.
It’s the only thing that helped my cystic acne too! I use aquaphor when I have a bad breakout or contact dermatitis (I’m allergic to most acne medicines and makeups) nothing else can touch my skin during those flare ups or it will literally burn my skin and make it peel off.
Really it is worked for ur acne skin, me too have acne skin, iam trying to put moisture on my face and all the time I will afraid to keep, it is good r not for acne face to keep moisture so please help me, it is really worked on ur acne face.