I cannot imagine that many people who are regulars to Health Nut News are still using petroleum jelly on their skin, but just in case someone is, we wanted to help you to understand why you should stop. Now.

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You see, petroleum jelly is a byproduct of the oil refining processes. That’s correct.

Robert Augustus Chesebrough, a British chemist, watched men on oil rigs smear the naturally-occurring byproduct of the oil drilling process on their skin and it appeared to heal their cuts and burns. Inspired, Chesebrough patented his discovery, calling it “Vaseline.”

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While many people believe it to be carcinogenic, finding that proof isn’t all that easy. However, we do know that petroleum jelly contains compounds called hydrocarbons, which, when absorbed directly into the skin, put you in danger of hydrocarbon poisoning. And this can result in conditions like arrhythmia, encephalopathy, pneumonitis, acidosis, and dermatitis.1

 

 

Petroleum jelly is not water soluble and actually creates a waterproof barrier on your skin. While people swimming in the middle of the winter might not want to feel the cold, this is terrible for your skin which needs to breathe. It’s also bad for your skin because it doesn’t allow bacteria and debris to naturally dislodge itself from your pores.

Yuck.

Here are a couple more reasons you should not be using petroleum jelly. Thanks to Bare Natural Health for the following list:2

  1. Harmful Hydrocarbons- Our skin cannot metabolize petroleum jelly so it remains on the skin until it wears off and that allows for hydrocarbons to be stored in our fat tissue. According to a study, hydrocarbons are the biggest contaminants in the body. Possible ways of contamination are dermal absorption, food intake, and air inhalation.
  1. Collagen Breakdown- Since petroleum jelly creates a barrier on the skin, it could also be the cause of collagen breakdown, which is harmful to women. When the skin is coated with petroleum jelly, it cannot absorb nutrients or breathe and as a consequence, the renewal process is slower.
  1. Estrogen Dominance- Estrogen dominance has become a huge problem for women. It occurs when the levels of estrogen in the body are high, but the levels of progesterone are too low. This imbalance is associated with menstrual problems, infertility, allergies, accelerated aging, and autoimmune problems. Also, it can cause sleep problems, nutrient deficiencies, and even cancer. Various products, including petroleum jelly, contain chemicals known as xenoestrogens and they are also able to increase the estrogen levels. According to studies these chemicals may impact the hormone receptors in the body and can cause estrogen dominance.
  1. Severe Problems- There is a possibility that petroleum-based products may contain other dangerous chemicals like 1,4-Dioxine, a known carcinogen and present in ¼ of all beauty products tested. Moreover, because of its estrogenic properties, it can contribute to other cancer types. Furthermore, there could also be more serious complications, like lipid pneumonia, which happens when petroleum jelly is inhaled and accumulates in the lungs. This can lead to dangerous lung inflammation.

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If you have very dry skin and need deep nourishment, or are just looking to add moisture to your skin, here are some much better choices (that also all smell WAY better):

  1. Shea Butter
  2. Jojoba Oil
  3. Coconut Oil

 

Or, you can quickly DIY your own deep skin nourisher. Personally, I can’t wait to try this recipe! Check it out!

Sources and References

  1. Bare Natural Health.
  2. Bare Natural Health.