There’s a good chance that you’ve used petroleum jelly at some point in your life. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if you have a jar of it in your home right now! Petroleum jelly has been a household item for decades, and it’s the base ingredient for many skincare products that people use, ranging from moisturizer to ointment, and even to lip balm. 

But here’s what most people don’t realize: petroleum jelly is a byproduct of crude oil, the same substance refined into fuels like gasoline and jet fuel. While it might seem convenient and inexpensive, this common skincare ingredient comes with hidden drawbacks for both your skin and the planet.

In this article, we’ll share three key reasons why it’s time to say goodbye to petroleum jelly and why switching to a natural alternative can give you healthier, longer-lasting moisture without the environmental impact.

From Oil Rig to Skincare Staple: The Story of Petroleum Jelly

There are few things with that many uses in this world, so it’s been extremely convenient to buy one product to cover all bases. In fact, it’s been convenient since 1859, when it was first discovered in Pennsylvania. 

Want to know another fun fact about petroleum jelly? It was discovered in an OIL RIG.

Yes, you read that correctly. An oil rig is a headquarters for one of the most popular household products in skincare.

If you’ve made it this far, you must be pretty invested, so we’ll keep going.

How It’s Made

Did you know that petroleum jelly is a crude oil byproduct? Well first, let’s define crude oil!

Crude oil: a naturally occurring, yellowish-black liquid found beneath the Earth’s surface, commonly refined into various types of fuels.

 

 

Hold on a second! Did that say FUELS? Your petroleum jelly was meant to be a gas. Surely a motor and your body wouldn’t run on the same type of oil. 

I mean, I don’t see fitness influencers recommending us to drink a gallon of gas a day. If that’s not wild enough in itself, let’s go a little deeper into the use of crude oils.

Crude oils are used for transportation fuels, including JET FUELS. Okay, they definitely missed out on a huge marketing opportunity with that one: “petroleum jelly. 

We give you wings.” Literally, because you’re using a product derived from a substance used on airplanes. When you moisturize your skin, it should feel like you’re watering your petals, not getting an oil change. But, of course, there’s a large chance that you may be a raging fan of petroleum jelly, so perhaps where it comes from isn’t as important to you. Maybe we can talk about how it works.

Oh wait, it doesn’t.

Okay, we aren’t saying it doesn’t work completely or that people haven’t had any results using it. Depending on the task at hand, you may find it useful, but what if we told you that petroleum jelly was a sham? What if we told you that Petroleum Jelly is….a catfish.

Petroleum jelly has been using an Instagram filter ALL its life!

 

 

 

The Moisturization Myth Explained

The biggest proclaimed benefit of using petroleum jelly has always been “moisturization.” That would work, except it doesn’t actually moisturize the skin. Before we hop into the science to support our claim, we want you to think. Think about your Vaseline container, and especially think about your lip balms.

Just about every woman we’ve asked has admitted to constantly re-applying their chapstick or lip balm throughout the day. Why do you have to continue re-applying something that’s doing its job? You don’t. You just let the results do the talking.

 

 

Here’s how we hop into the science part. Don’t worry. We don’t get too technical. It’s pretty easy to follow.

Our skin has a breathability factor. We don’t mean that in a literal sense of the skin “breathing.” The skin is not part of our respiratory system. Here’s what we mean. The pores in your skin want access to an opening to dump unwanted particles, whether they be dirt, toxins, or dead skin.

Unfortunately, petroleum jelly doesn’t afford our skin this breathability. In fact, petroleum jelly presents an illusion. Due to the thickness of the oil, the user automatically assumes it’s working. The way it’s slathered across our skin makes it appear that it’s done its job a moment after application. You feel your skin completely covered, and your skin becomes shiny.

But, now we have to break it to you…

Petroleum jelly clogs your pores. It isn’t moisturizing your skin. It’s just such a rich texture that you can’t eve tell what it’s doing, but the litmus test doesn’t lie. Think of how often you have to reapply petroleum jelly or wipe your face from being greasy. At what point did you notice that your skin was organically improving?

At what stage in your petroleum jelly evolution did you realize that you skin had the accessibility it needed to actually detox? Never? Sorry to hear. It’s almost as if their product is as good as the consumer’s ability to repurchase.

 

Consumers Are Waking Up… And Beauty Is Changing

We’re sure you’re also wondering how something with so many negatives could be positive for anyone. Well, here’s the thing: price point. Because petroleum derives from crude oils, it’s extremely cheap. It’s why you can get away with a 9oz tube of petroleum jelly for less than $10. It’s good for your wallet and “seems” to get the job done. That’s enough for most people, until now.

 

 

You see, not only are crude oils bad for our skin, but they’re also bad for the planet. Burning fossil fuels is frowned down upon more and more each day, and with new initiatives launching every day to push eco-friendly beauty products, there’s a new shift in what consumers are looking for.

People are reading ingredients and searching where the ingredients are sourced from. This generation is BOLD, and petroleum jelly isn’t liking it! Google searches have hiked in the past few of years for petroleum jelly alternatives. Consumers are getting “woke” and they don’t want Boeing’s skincare routine anymore 😉

The Natural Skincare Revolution: 2025 and Beyond

In 2025, the global natural skincare market is projected to reach approximately $22.8 billion, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. This surge is driven by a heightened awareness of health, wellness, and environmental sustainability. A significant 74% of consumers now consider organic ingredients important in personal care products. This shift reflects a broader trend towards cleaner, more transparent beauty choices. As we look ahead, the future of skincare is poised to be more personalized, eco-conscious, and aligned with the values of today’s informed consumer.

 

 

Say Bye to Petroleum Jelly: Top 3 Reasons

 

Reason 1: It’s Occlusive

Petroleum jelly is occlusive, meaning it seals off the skin from air, water, or anything else getting in (or out). Wherever it’s applied, it forms an invisible film on the surface that blocks the pores and the skin’s natural respiration process.

 

Reason 2: It may be Carcinogenic

There are several refining processes that must be done to petroleum jelly to ensure any life-threatening particles don’t get through. Unfortunately, most companies are not required by law to practice this refining process.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG):

“Trace contaminants in petroleum-based ingredients can penetrate the skin, and their levels aren’t restricted by safety standards..”

 

Reason 3: It doesn’t moisturize your skin

The main use of petroleum jelly is skin hydration, yet it clogs pores rather than hydrating and moisturizing your skin. (You only had one job, bro).

Are you ready to throw out your petroleum jelly yet? I don’t blame you.

But we wouldn’t make you throw away your product without suggesting a better alternative…

Enter Waxelene, a natural alternative that actually nourishes your skin while keeping it safe and healthy

 

 

Why Waxelene Is the Best Balm You Can Find

Now, you can only imagine what our founder was facing when creating a product that would replace one of the biggest products in the skincare industry. Not only did he create an alternative, he created an eco-friendly moisturizer that’s great for your skin AND the environment. Waxelene was developed with the Earth in mind, and it shows on our clients’ skin and in our ingredients.

Waxlene has 4 ingredients. Not four base ingredients. Just four ingredients. Did I mention they’re all organic? Here they are:

• Organic Soy Oil
• Organic Beeswax
• Natural Vitamin E Oil
• Organic Rosemary Oil

 

That’s it, and just so we’re clear, none of those four ingredients are derived from crude oils. Our base is beeswax. It’s a healthier, more eco-friendly source for a moisturizer, and it’s 100% organic. We source our beeswax in the most ethical way to ensure that the bees remain safe through the process.

We have made it a huge point in our company’s mission to ensure organic ingredients at all times. In fact, our ingredients are so clean that they’re ingestible!

Yes, you read that correctly. Although Waxelene is registered as a cosmetic product, it’s ingestible! Meaning, none of the ingredients would hurt you if you ingested it! In fact, we’ve gotten several reports of dogs eating their owner’s Waxelene tube without as much as a stomach ache to show for it! 

Waxelene, like petroleum jelly, also has multiple uses (minus the jet fuel):

• Moisturizer
• Hairstyling
• Eczema healing ointment
• Pets hot spot healing ointment
• Makeup primer
• Lip balm
• Scar healing ointment
• Aftershave
• And more!

 

 

15 Years of Consistency and Integrity

We were founded 15 years ago, but we haven’t changed our formula or sacrificed the integrity of the product. Not many brands can say that.

Over 75% of skincare brands change their formula to keep up with the times. Everything is happening quickly in today’s society, so brands will allow a preservative or two in their products to make it a bit cheaper and to increase production capacity. We prefer to take our time and make each batch with love.

With Waxelene, you don’t have to worry about clogged pores. Our formula is thick but light enough for the skin to “breathe” throughout the day. Get ready for hydration link no other. Our formula doubles as a skin protectant and moisturizer, keeping all the good things sealed in and allowing the bad things to shed.

 

You’re the Captain of Your Skin

When it comes to skincare, YOU steer your own ship. You decide what touches your skin, which ingredients earn your trust, and how you care for yourself every single day. Stop guessing whether that petroleum jelly really works—now you know a better way. We hope you find this article helpful and informative. Go ahead and throw out the petroleum jelly.

Don’t worry…

We won’t tell.