Is petroleum jelly bad for you?
It’s been around for more than 150 years, but the jury’s still out on whether petroleum jelly (Vaseline) is a miracle product or a health hazard. Some believe it’s a carcinogen due to being a by-product of oil refinery, but as Dr Marina Peredo explains to Good Housekeeping, “there are no clinical studies that demonstrate that the use of petrolatum promotes cancer.”
To help you decide for yourself, let’s weigh up the good and the bad.
Pros
1. Prevents loss of moisture – If your skin is prone to drying out, petroleum jelly will help retain hydration.
2. Incredibly useful – If you don’t want to use petroleum jelly on your skin, it has many other uses. Click here to see our favourites.
3. Good relief – Petroleum jelly works wonders on chapped lips, irritated spots and even sunburns.
4. Safe – The Environmental Working Group has given Vaseline the highest safety score, classifying its overall health hazard as “low”.
5. Cheap – For what it offers and how long it lasts, petroleum jelly offers fantastic bang for your buck.
Cons
1. Clogs pores – Because petroleum jelly forms a seal over the skin, it blocks pores, trapping toxins and dirt build-up.
2. No hydrating properties – While it certainly can retain existing hydration, petroleum jelly itself cannot hydrate or heal the skin
3. Ages skin – Unfortunately, using petroleum jelly on the skin slows down cellular regeneration and can damage collagen and elastin, making you look older.
4. Greasy – Some find the formula of petroleum jelly too greasy and difficult to remove from the skin, even with water.
5. Not environmentally friendly – As a by-product of crude oil, it’s not exactly the most eco-friendly product on the market.
If you’re still not convinced, there is another option. If you love the feel of petroleum jelly but not the potential risks, there are natural, plant-based alternatives available at most health stores.
Tell us in the comments below, are you a fan of petroleum jelly?