So where does petroleum jelly come into the picture? If and when petroleum is properly refined and turned into petroleum jelly, it actually shouldn’t pose that much of a threat to human health. The problem, however, is that petrolatum/petroleum jelly is more often than not minimally refined and therefore is often contaminated with these PAHs. This is especially the case in the U.S., where there are no requirements on refinement in the petroleum used in personal care products. By contrast, the “EU mandates that for cosmetic use, the full refining history of the petrolatum must be known and proven to be non-carcinogenic.”

Petroleum jelly can cause exogenous lipoid pneumonia, which is basically where small amounts of jelly are inhaled and then enter the lungs (where they cannot be broken down by the body) and build up over time. This can lead to lung inflammation, coughing, and shortness of breath. This is why you should not use petroleum jelly on the inside of your nose, especially as a regular habit.

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This is a review for lip care. I have oily skin and no real problem areas, so I used Waxelene on my lips only** Bathroom cabinets and nightstands overflowing with chemical and petroleum filled creams are a thing of the past. With the Multi-Purpose Ointment all of your family's skincare needs are taken care of without any nasties!

It’s suitable for babies, kids, and adults and can be used as a hand cream, lip balm, or all-over moisturizer for whatever part of your body is dry, scratchy, and in need of some TLC.

Soy Oil contains many great things for improving your skin’s health including Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, as well as minerals and vitamins. Its hero ingredient, isoflavone genistein, stimulates production of collagen which helps skin cells renew and repair themselves, while keeping the skin moist. So now that we know why petroleum jelly is best avoided, let’s talk about what to use instead! Below are our favorite multi-purpose balms to use instead of Vaseline. Not only are these brands free of petrolatum and mineral oils, but they’re also free of other toxic ingredients like phthalates and more.