There's so many mixed opinions on Vaseline - What's the real deal? Does it help or harm skin/lips/etc?

Question

Not just your "opinon" based even on personal experience, unless you really have seen definitive proof.
I really want to know if Petroleum products help or harm your skin. I used Vaseline on severely chapped lips, and it helped somwhat, though it caused some mild breakouts on the skin around the mouth. But I've heard so many things about why we should or shouldn't use Petro. products. What's the truth?

Ok, thought people would be smarter than this.
Please provide actual facts, not just YOUR OPINION.
If you don't know, you don't have to answer.
I just want intelligent *facts* on the effect of petroleum jelly products on your skin.

Answer 1

Petroleum jelly, vaseline, petrolatum or soft paraffin is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons (with carbon numbers mainly higher than 25) originally promoted as a topical ointment for its healing properties.

What is it used for?

Dry skin conditions

How does it work?

This preparation contains white soft paraffin (also known as white petroleum jelly). This is not an active ingredient as such, but works as a moisturizer by providing a layer of oil on the surface of the skin to prevent water evaporating from the skin surface. It is a very greasy moisturizer.


Dry skin results from lack of water in the outer layer of skin cells known as the stratum corneum. When this layer becomes dehydrated it loses its flexibility and becomes cracked, scaly and sometimes itchy.


The stratum corneum contains natural water-holding substances that retain water seeping up from the deeper layers of the skin, and water is also normally retained in the stratum corneum by a surface film of natural oil (sebum) and broken-down skin cells, which slow down evaporation of water from the skin surface.


The skin dries out when too much water evaporates from its surface. This increases as we get older, and is made worse by washing, because hot water and soap remove the layer of natural oil on the skin surface. Moisturizers are helpful for all dry skin conditions, particularly eczema and dermatitis, which get worse when the skin is allowed to dry out.


Used regularly they help restore the skin's smoothness, softness and flexibility by helping the skin retain moisture. They should be applied frequently, particularly before or after washing, to prevent the skin drying out. In conditions such as eczema, using a moisturizer regularly, even once the skin has improved, can help prevent flare-ups of this condition.


Robert Chesebrough; the discoverer originally promoted Vaseline primarily as an ointment for scrapes, burns, and cuts, but physicians have shown that Vaseline has no medicinal effect or any effect on the blistering process, nor is it absorbed by the skin.


Vaseline’s effectiveness in accelerating wound healing stems from its sealing effect on cuts and burns, which inhibits germs from getting into the wound and keeps the injured area supple by preventing the skin's moisture from evaporating.

Dangerous uses to avoid

As the substance became more common in households, it began to be used for a number of medical purposes, some of which medical science has shown to be dangerous or damaging.

Burns
It should not be used on fresh burns of any kind, including sunburn. Petrolatum traps heat inside, worsening burns. After heat has dissipated, however, it can serve as a dressing for minor burns to soothe later pain.

Nasal congestion or dryness
It may immobilize the cilia in the nose, impeding its ability to clean incoming air[citation needed]. As well, if small particles of petrolatum are inhaled from the nose, they may deposit in the lungs and lead to a condition called lipid pneumonia.


Sex with latex condoms
Since petroleum is a kind of oil, it interferes with the structure of latex. Using petroleum jelly with latex condoms weakens the material increasing the chance of rupture, and thereby the chance of conceiving or spreading sexually transmitted infections such as HIV.

The above is from the link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_jelly


The below is a warning for the use of White Petrolatum or Vaseline because of its paraffin content: ( Deodorants are termed CARCINOGENIC -causes cancer)- due to its paraffin and acluminum content)

The substance consists of saturated hydrocarbons with carbon numbers mainly higher than 25. Its composition depends upon the petroleum source and refining process. Highly refined (White Petrolatum) grades are used in pharmacy and cosmetics. Less refined grades (Yellow, amber or brown Petrolatum) are used industrially and may contain impurities such as CARCINOGENIC POLYCYCLICS aromatics. Therefore, the European Union applies the risk phrase R 45 (May cause cancer) with Note N to petrolatum. Note N reads ''the classification as a carcinogen need not apply if the full refining history is known and it can be shown that the substance from which it is produced is not a carcinogen. This note applies to certain complex oil-derived substances in Annex .


The above is from the below link:

http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics1440.htm


After Petroleum Jelly (brand- Vaseline) became a medicine chest staple, consumers began to use Vaseline for myriad ailments and cosmetic uses, including: chapped hands or lips, toenail fungus, nosebleeds, diaper rash, chest colds, and even to remove makeup or stains from furniture.


Most petroleum jelly today is consumed as an ingredient in skin lotions and cosmetics. Petrolatum is less expensive than glycerol or glycerine.(the most common active lubricating ingredient in skin lotion) Vaseline is not used in expensive lotions; because it is not absorbed into the skin.

Reason for this: While Petroleum is a non-polar hydrocarbon hydrophobic (water-repelling) and insoluble in water, glycerol (not a hydrocarbon but an ALCOHOL ) is the opposite. Glycerin is so strongly hydrophilic (water-attracting) that by continuous absorption of moisture from the air, it produces the feeling of wetness on the skin, similar to the greasiness produced by petroleum jelly. The feeling is similar, but petroleum jelly repels water, and glycerine attracts it.


I went thru a lot of articles and found no other contraindications for the use of Petroleum Vaseline Jelly as greasy moisturizers for the skin or the lips.


Once when my father was hospitalized;, they applied Vaseline to his decubitus (back sore). The sore was angry -looking; irritated and bleeding. The Vaseline trap the heat and increase the inflammation. All I did was applied a mixture of benzoin or merthiolate and MOM ( as an antacid) to the wound, and it dried and healed up in no time.

.
Nonetheless, if you develop minor breakouts around the mouth from its use; maybe you are sensitive or has an allergy to its ingredients. You might consider using other moisturizers. Make sure you apply it to clean lips. Do not share cosmetics. Try not to wet your lips constantly with your tonque.The mouth carries a lot of germs in your saliva.


I hope I answered your question thoroughly factually and scientifically to your satisfaction.

Answer 2

The whole "God" thing is a fake. Do you remember what it was like before you were born? No, and that's what it will be like after you die. The people who relie on theism based religions cannot take the harshness of not being living so people made up religions. Also, if the idea of a "god" was right who would be right? the hindu, Jewish, Catholics, Prespetarians...etc. And if there was the chance that Christianity was right, which type would it be. New ideas come up every century...take example of Mormanism...Seriously.You can believe in "god" if you want to but whoever believes i would suggest not getting your hopes up because...THERE IS NO "GOD". PS: its awful that i can think better than grown fully educated men when i am 15. Seriously, THINK ABOUT IT. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS "GOD"

Answer 3

yeah it works wonders for me. especially during the winter time on my lips and such. and people that say it clogs pores are applying too much of it. it's obviously thick so don't over do it.

Answer 4

if it caused you to break out then dont you use it.

i have used it on my lips and it did wonders. but on skin it didnt come off very easily, like thick greese on my skin (yuckk).

but maybe on feet or hands that are really dry (covered in gloves or socks over night) it would also be good.

Answer 5

whenever I get a tattoo ,i use Vaseline to keep it moist and sealed ,so no infection sets in==use it on my dry lips too like a lipstick

Answer 6

helps