Is Petroleum Jelly Bad for You? Why You Should Ditch it Now

Last Updated on 08/04/2025 by Liz @ HealthTenfold
Disclaimer – This website contains Amazon affiliate links. As an affiliate, we may earn a commission on purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you

Petroleum Jelly—commonly known by the brand name Vaseline—has long been a go-to for dry skin, chapped lips, and minor scrapes. The two terms are often used interchangeably, though Vaseline is technically a specific brand of petroleum jelly. Found in nearly every bathroom cabinet, its slick texture promises relief. But here’s the catch: Petroleum jelly is a byproduct of refining crude oil, and while that origin raises eyebrows, the real concern lies in how it affects your skin. Is petroleum jelly bad for you? This article dives into the petroleum pitfall of Vaseline, why it might not be the skin savior you think, and the natural alternatives that can truly nourish and protect.

Vaseline’s Crude Beginnings

Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, traces back to the 1850s when chemist Robert Chesebrough refined a waxy residue from oil rigs into the product we know today. It’s a semi-solid mix of hydrocarbons, a leftover from the crude oil refining process that also yields gasoline and lubricants. Purified through filtration and bleaching, it’s deemed safe for topical use by regulators like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. But its petroleum roots hint at a deeper issue—not just where it comes from, but how it performs on your skin.

What Is Petroleum Jelly Commonly Used For?

Petroleum jelly has been a household staple for over a century. Its thick, greasy consistency has made it a go-to solution for a wide range of skin-related issues. People often use petroleum jelly for:

• Moisturizing dry skin: It creates a barrier on the skin to lock in moisture, especially on hands, feet, elbows, and lips.
• Healing minor cuts and burns: Its protective layer can help shield small wounds from bacteria and promote healing.
• Preventing diaper rash: Many parents apply it to babies’ skin as a moisture barrier.
• Makeup removal: Some use it to gently take off eye makeup without harsh scrubbing.
• Taming flyaways and eyebrows: A small dab can help smooth out hair or shape brows.
• Preventing chafing: Runners and athletes sometimes apply it to reduce friction during activity.

While these uses may seem harmless—even helpful—we’ll explore later why petroleum jelly might not be the healthiest choice for your skin, especially when there are natural alternatives available. Despite its versatility, there’s growing concern around the long-term use of petroleum jelly—especially when considering how it’s made and what it may contain. Let’s take a closer look at why some people are beginning to rethink this common product.

Is Petroleum Jelly Bad for You?

The potential harm of petroleum jelly goes beyond its origins as an oily byproduct of crude oil refining. It’s important to understand what it does to your skin, how it interacts with different skin types, and the potential risks involved. While Vaseline has been a go-to for many due to its ability to create a thick, occlusive barrier, this very characteristic is what makes it a less-than-ideal choice for skin care.

1. Petroleum Jelly Does Not Add Hydration

Petroleum jelly works by forming a barrier over the skin that locks in whatever moisture is already present. While this may sound helpful, the reality is that it doesn’t hydrate or nourish your skin. The problem arises when moisture is already lacking or when Vaseline is applied to dry skin, as it doesn’t add any hydration on its own.

Is petroleum jelly bad for acne-prone skin?
Yes. For people with acne-prone skin, the risk of clogging pores increases. The thick, heavy texture of Vaseline can trap sebum, dirt, and bacteria, leading to breakouts. This makes it a poor choice for facial care, particularly for those with oily skin or acne conditions.

What does this mean?
It means that Vaseline seals in what’s already there, including moisture, dirt, sweat, and even bacteria. This barrier can create a breeding ground for impurities, especially on areas like your face or oily parts of your body.

2. Petroleum Jelly is Not Suitable for All Skin Types

If the skin is already severely dehydrated, Petroleum Jelly won’t be able to hydrate it on its own. It can be a less-than-ideal choice for the delicate skin on your face, especially for those with oily or combination skin.

• Is putting Vaseline on your face bad?
  The occlusive nature of petroleum jelly can suffocate your skin, preventing it from breathing naturally. For sensitive or oily skin, this can lead to greasiness, clogged pores, and irritation. Even though it may provide temporary relief, petroleum jelly doesn’t address the underlying needs of your skin, such as hydration or nourishment.
• Sensitive skin risks:
  Some users have reported feeling discomfort after applying petroleum jelly. Complaints of redness, a heavy, suffocating feel, or excessive greasiness are not uncommon. Over time, Vaseline may even make sensitive skin more prone to dryness since it doesn’t provide any true moisture or skin-repairing properties.

3. The Purity Question: Potential Contaminants in Petroleum Jelly

One of the most concerning aspects of petroleum jelly lies in its chemical composition. While Petroleum jelly is refined to remove most impurities, it is still a byproduct of crude oil refinement and can contain trace amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

• What are PAHs?
  PAHs are potentially carcinogenic compounds that can linger in petroleum jelly if not adequately removed during the refining process. PAHs are known to be harmful to human health and are linked to increased cancer risks when absorbed into the skin over time.
• Regulatory Warnings:
  The European Union has flagged unrefined petroleum jelly as a carcinogen, warning against its use in cosmetics. While the U.S. has stricter refining standards, the presence of PAHs, even in trace amounts, raises serious concerns. Why take the risk, especially when there are natural alternatives that do not carry such dangers?

4. Petroleum Jelly Lacks Nutrients and Healing Properties

Unlike natural oils, which are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, Vaseline lacks the nutrients that can help your skin heal and thrive. For example, oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil are packed with antioxidants and fatty acids that nourish and protect the skin.

• No skin benefits:
  Petroleum Jelly offers no nutritional support to your skin. It doesn’t contain vitamins or antioxidants that could actively promote skin repair, hydration, or overall health. This is in stark contrast to natural oils, which not only hydrate but also help repair the skin’s barrier, reduce inflammation, and prevent signs of aging.
• Temporary relief, not a solution:
  While Vaseline may provide short-term relief for cracked or dry skin, it ultimately only offers a temporary shield without addressing the root causes of dryness, irritation, or other skin concerns.

5. Over-Reliance: Is Petroleum Jelly Bad for Your Skin in Long-Term?

Using petroleum jelly as a frequent skincare solution might lead to more problems in the long run. While it provides a physical barrier, it doesn’t work with your skin’s natural processes to heal or protect it. Over time, your skin may become dependent on the occlusive layer, but without true hydration or repair, it can become drier and more vulnerable.

• Dryness and irritation:
  Constant use of Vaseline can worsen dryness in the long term. Since it doesn’t hydrate or repair the skin, you may find that your skin becomes drier or even irritated after the barrier is removed. For those with naturally dry skin, this can make the condition worse, not better.
• Alternative natural oils:
  Unlike petroleum jelly, natural oils such as shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera not only provide an occlusive barrier but also hydrate, soothe, and nourish the skin. These ingredients are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that actively promote skin repair and long-term health.

The Bottom Line: Time to Rethink Petroleum Jelly

At the end of the day, all petroleum jelly really does is sit on top of your skin. It doesn’t hydrate, it doesn’t nourish, and it certainly doesn’t heal. It traps whatever’s already there—whether that’s moisture or dirt—and creates a barrier that might feel comforting in the moment but does nothing to improve your skin long-term.

Your skin deserves more than a sticky, outdated fix. It needs ingredients that work with it—soothing, repairing, and actually making it healthier over time. Let’s dive into the natural alternatives that offer real benefits.

Natural Alternatives for Petroleum Jelly

Ditch the petroleum and embrace these skin-friendly substitutes. Each offers benefits Vaseline can’t match, from hydration to healing:

• Shea Butter – For Deep Moisture and Skin Repair
  Why people use Vaseline: To soothe dry, flaky skin or heal rough patches.
  Why shea butter is better:
  Harvested from shea tree nuts, shea butter is packed with vitamins A and E—natural skin-healing nutrients that Vaseline lacks. It deeply moisturizes and nourishes, without clogging pores or sitting on top of the skin. Use it on dry patches, cracked heels, lips, or even eczema-prone areas for rich, lasting hydration that actually supports skin health.
  → Find the product here.
• Coconut Oil – For Moisture and Antibacterial Protection
  Why people use Vaseline: As a moisturizer or to treat irritated skin.
  Why coconut oil is better:
  Coconut oil doesn’t just soften skin—it also has antimicrobial properties thanks to its lauric acid content. It absorbs quickly, soothes inflammation, and works as a gentle makeup remover, lip balm, or frizz tamer. Unlike Vaseline, it nourishes while protecting. Choose unrefined, cold-pressed versions to avoid harsh processing.

• Beeswax – For a Protective Barrier That Breathes
  Why people use Vaseline: To form a protective shield over dry or damaged skin.
  Why beeswax is better:
  Beeswax locks in moisture like Vaseline, but it allows your skin to breathe—a critical difference. It’s ideal in DIY balms and salves when blended with oils like almond or jojoba. Plus, it’s non-greasy and naturally anti-inflammatory. For a vegan option, try candelilla wax.
  → Find the product here.
• Aloe Vera Gel – For Soothing and Hydrating Irritated Skin
  Why people use Vaseline: To soothe sunburns, cuts, or redness.
  Why aloe vera is better:
  Fresh aloe vera is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and ultra-hydrating without the heaviness of petroleum jelly. It delivers water-based moisture, calms irritation, and accelerates healing—making it far more effective for sunburns or post-shave redness. Use it directly from the plant or find a pure, additive-free gel.
  → Find the product here.
• Jojoba Oil – For Balancing and Non-Greasy Hydration
  Why people use Vaseline: To lock in moisture on sensitive skin or dry faces.
  Why jojoba oil is better:
  Jojoba oil closely mimics your skin’s natural sebum, making it ideal for balancing oil production—without clogging pores. It’s lightweight, non-comedogenic, and rich in antioxidants. Whether used as a facial oil, body moisturizer, or even makeup remover, jojoba supports healthy skin function in a way Vaseline simply can’t.

Switching for Skin’s Sake

Making the change is easy. For chapped lips, trade Vaseline for a beeswax balm or dab of coconut oil. Dry hands? Massage in shea butter. Healing a scrape? Aloe vera’s your new best friend. These alternatives don’t just mask problems—they fix them with nutrients and active compounds petroleum jelly lacks. While they might cost a bit more, their skin benefits outweigh Vaseline’s one-note performance.

Why Skin Health Trumps Convenience

Petroleum jelly is cheap, familiar, and easy to find—but that doesn’t make it the best choice. Made from refined crude oil, it’s a product of convenience, not care. It forms a barrier, sure, but that barrier just sits on your skin, doing little to help it thrive. Meanwhile, natural oils like shea butter, jojoba, and aloe vera go deeper—hydrating, healing, and truly supporting skin health.

If you’re wondering, is petroleum jelly bad for your skin?—consider this: it doesn’t nourish, it doesn’t hydrate, and it can trap dirt, sweat, and bacteria against your skin. Over time, that can lead to clogged pores, dullness, or even irritation. For your face or sensitive areas, that trade-off just isn’t worth it.

Skin is your body’s largest organ—it deserves ingredients that support its natural function, not outdated solutions born from industrial waste. So skip the petroleum byproduct, and go for something that actually works with your skin, not against it. Your future self will thank you.

Medical Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any skin condition or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist before starting any new skincare routine, especially if you have sensitive skin, allergies, or pre-existing skin conditions.

Read more: https://www.healthtenfold.com/spatula-safety-hazards/
https://www.healthtenfold.com/are-non-stick-pans-toxic/
https://www.healthtenfold.com/is-burning-paraffin-candles-toxic/
https://www.healthtenfold.com/toothpaste-safety-concerns/