Petroleum Jelly

• Excellent emollient, moisturizer & lubricant
• Enhances consistency and viscosity (e.g. ideal bodifying agent for lip care products)
• Protects skin from wind, burn, and chapping
• Prevents diaper rash
• Ideal for dry skin treatments

uses and benefits:

1. Moisturizing: It helps lock in moisture, making it great for dry skin and chapped lips.
2. Protective Barrier: It creates a barrier that can protect minor cuts, burns, and scrapes from external irritants.
3. Skin Healing: It can aid in the healing of minor skin issues by keeping the skin moist and preventing scabs from forming.
4. Preventing Chafing: It can be used to prevent chafing during physical activities.
5. Beauty Uses: It’s sometimes used as a makeup remover or to enhance the look of eyelashes and eyebrows.
6. Hair Care: It can help tame flyaways and add shine to hair, though it should be used sparingly

Formulating cosmetics with white petroleum jelly, you can use a variety of ingredients to achieve different effects and enhance the product. Here’s a breakdown of common ingredients and their functions:

1. White Petroleum Jelly:

• Function: Provides moisture, acts as an occlusive agent to lock in hydration, and creates a protective barrier on the skin.
• Percentage: 30-80%, depending on the desired consistency and product type.

2. Beeswax:

• Function: Adds firmness to products like lip balms and helps stabilize the formulation.
• Percentage: 10-20%, often used in combination with petroleum jelly in lip balms.

3. Carrier Oils:

• Examples: Almond oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil.
• Function: Adds additional moisturizing properties, softens the formulation, and can provide specific skin benefits.
• Percentage: 10-40%, depending on the product.

4. Butters:

• Examples: Shea butter, cocoa butter.
• Function: Provides a rich, creamy texture and additional moisturizing properties.
• Percentage: 30-50% in body butters or creams.

5. Aloe Vera Gel:

• Function: Adds hydration, soothes the skin, and provides a lighter texture.
• Percentage: 30-50%, typically used in hand and foot creams.

6. Essential Oils:

• Examples: Lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus.
• Function: Adds fragrance and can provide additional skin benefits (e.g., soothing, antibacterial).
• Percentage: A few drops to 1-5%, depending on the product and desired scent strength.

7. Vitamin E Oil:

• Function: Acts as an antioxidant, helps protect the skin, and can extend the shelf life of the product.
• Percentage: 1-5%.

8. Flavorings (for lip products):

• Examples: Vanilla, mint, fruit flavors.
• Function: Provides a pleasant taste and aroma.
• Percentage: A few drops to 1%.

Sample Formulations:

• • Lip Balm:
    • White Petroleum Jelly: 60-70%
    • Beeswax: 15-20%
    • Carrier Oils: 10-15%
    • Essential Oils/Flavorings: 1-2%
  • Moisturizing Cream:
    • White Petroleum Jelly: 30-40%
    • Carrier Oils: 20-30%
    • Butters: 20-30%
    • Essential Oils: 1-2%
  • Body Butter:
    • White Petroleum Jelly: 40-50%
    • Shea Butter/Cocoa Butter: 40-50%
    • Essential Oils: 1-5%
  • Hand Cream:
    • White Petroleum Jelly: 50-60%
    • Aloe Vera Gel: 30-40%
    • Essential Oils: 1-2%

Safety and Precautions:

• Hypoallergenic: White petroleum jelly is generally hypoallergenic and safe for most people, but it’s always a good idea to do a patch test first if you have sensitive skin.
• Avoid Contact with Eyes: While it’s safe for use on the skin, avoid getting it into the eyes.
• Use with Caution: Do not use on deep wounds or serious burns. For such conditions, seek professional medical advice.