A purified semisolid hydrocarbon mixture used as an occlusive and skin protectant.
Sources: 1, 2Petroleum jelly, White petrolatum
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Petrolatum
What it does
Helps reduce water loss and protects dry skin surfaces.
Sources: 1, 2Good for
- Very dry skin
- Occlusive barrier care
How to use it
Apply a suitable finished emollient or protectant as directed. Avoid improvised use over infected or worsening skin problems.
Sources: 1, 2Who should be careful
Heavy occlusion can change tolerance to products underneath. Seek advice for infected, deep or worsening wounds rather than relying on an ordinary cosmetic.
Sources: 1, 2Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Forms a persistent hydrophobic barrier that slows evaporation.
Sources: 1, 2Potential adverse effects
Heavy occlusion or other product components can be unsuitable for some users; stop use if a persistent reaction develops.
Sources: 1, 2Formulation considerations
Refining quality and the finished product's intended use matter. It has no single small-molecule formula or structure.
Sources: 1, 2Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
- Exact material, composition and supplier-grade specifications
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1, 2Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
petrolatum
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
No single structure to show yet
This ingredient represents a mixture, extract, polymer or ingredient family. A single molecular diagram may not describe its composition.
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| material scope | Variable material or ingredient family: no single molecular formula, molecular weight or bond diagram describes every grade. | BfR: Mineral oil in cosmetic products |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (2)
Scientific sources
- BfR: Mineral oil in cosmetic productsregulatory risk assessment
- US eCFR: Skin protectant active ingredients, 21 CFR 347.10regulatory context
Keep exploring: ingredient library or build your skincare routine.
