Petrolatum. A complex combination of hydrocarbons obtained as a semi-solid from dewaxing paraffinic residual oil.
- Skin barrier B+
- Dryness B
- Set amount
- 30–100% (FDA skin protectant monograph)
- When
- evening
- Irritation
- low
Grades were set by reading this ingredient’s studies. They describe the ingredient, not every product that contains it.
How much products actually contain
15 products state the amountmedian 3%13% at or above the amount studies used (30–100% (FDA skin protectant monograph))
- under 0.01% 3
- 0.01–0.1% 2
- 0.1–1% 0
- 1% or more 10
Amounts are mostly stated by products named after the ingredient, so they may lean towards token amounts.
Of the products containing it, 221 list it before the 1% line and 21 after it (usually 1% or less).
Where no amount is stated, a product listing it early reaches the study amount about 59% of the time, one listing it late about 2%.
Clinical evidence grade by skin concern
- B
- one or two randomised trials
1 references
- FDA OTC monograph M016, skin protectant active ingredients
Products using this ingredient
12 of 235 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 235
VaselineCocoa Butter Protecting Jelly 100ml100% stated · study amount
VaselineAloe Vera Protecting Jelly 100ml100% stated · study amount
BRINGGREENBamboo Hyaluron Lip Essence59% chance of enough
EucerinEucerin Aquaphor Repairing Ointment 55ml59% chance of enough
d'AlbaWhite Truffle Nourishing Serum Lip Balm59% chance of enough
THE SAEMTHE SAEM Honey Oatmeal Lip Scrub59% chance of enough
COSRXCOSRX Lip Plump - Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C Lip Plumper59% chance of enough
Dr. OracleDr. Oracle RegevanC Cream 5g59% chance of enough
TENZEROTENZERO Essential Lip Balm Blue Collagen59% chance of enough
TENZEROTENZERO Essential Lip Balm Green Cica59% chance of enough
TENZEROTENZERO Essential Lip Balm Honey Vita C59% chance of enough
TENZEROTENZERO Essential Lip Sleeping Pack Berry Polis59% chance of enough
Definition
US FDA substance register · UNII B6E5W8RQJ4 · registered name WHITE PETROLATUM · biological origin (no fixed structure)
Petrolatum. A complex combination of hydrocarbons obtained as a semi-solid from dewaxing paraffinic residual oil. It consists predominantly of saturated crystalline and liquid hydrocarbons having carbon numbers predominantly greater than C25
Cosmetic roles
Safety & regulatory references
- Banned
- Argentina · ASEAN · Brazil · China · European Union · United Kingdom
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive · EU Cosmetics Regulation · MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information · UK cosmetics regulations (OPSS)
Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance
EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex II (prohibited substances), entry 904
Restriction II/904 (except if the full refining history is known and it can be shown that the substance from which it is produced is not a carcinogen)
Source: EU CosIng ingredient list
Restriction II/904 (except if the full refining history is known and it can be shown that the substance from which it is produced is not a carcinogen) · Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer
Source: EU CosIng ingredient list
More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature
Official labels & definitions
JCIA labelling name ワセリン: 本品は、石油から得られる半固体炭化水素の混合物である。
Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)
Names & identifiers
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 8009-03-8
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 232-373-2
- DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
- DTXSID6027686
Measured properties
- Appearance
- solid
- Odour
- odourless
- Melting/freezing point
- 36~60 ℃
- Initial boiling point and range
- 302 ℃
- Flash point
- 182~221 ℃
- Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits
- 7 / 0.9 %
- Vapour pressure
- (&, lt, 1.3Pa 20°C)
- Relative density
- 0.9
- n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow)
- 6
- Auto-ignition temperature
- (&, gt, 290°C)
Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.
Source: KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)
What products actually use it for
What the 189 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.
- Softener and conditioner104
- Binder55
- Humectant9
- Emulsifier4
- Anti-static agent3
- Lubricating agent3
- Solvent2
- UV stabilizer2
7 other uses
- Surfactant (surface active agent)1
- Plasticizer1
- Corrosion inhibitor1
- Anti-adhesive/cohesive1
- Flavouring and nutrient1
- Waterproofing agent1
- Solubility enhancer1
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Irritation and sensitisation studies
2 skin studies and 1 eye studies are on record.
The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.
See all 3 studies
- Not classified
Skin Sensitization · Screening - Not classified
Skin Irritation · Screening - Category 2B
Eye Irritation · Screening
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Related literature
- White Petrolatum/Minerals · 2020
- Antibacterial activity of glycerol monolaurate formulated in petrolatum. · 2026
- Petrolatum Is Effective as a Moisturizer, But There Are More Uses for It. · 2022
- In Vitro Penetration of Petrolatum in Stratum Corneum from Bodywash Formulation. · 2019
- Effects of topical petrolatum and salicylic acid upon skin photoreaction to UVA. · 2005
Linked databases 21
- ASEAN Cosmetic Directive
- Australian Industrial Chemicals Inventory (AICIS)
- China inventory of existing ingredients (IECIC)
- EU CosIng ingredient list 2 3
- EU Cosmetics Regulation
- EU prohibited substances (Annex II)
- JCIA labelling names (Japan)
- Korea Cosmetic Association ingredient dictionary
- Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)
- KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic ingredient register 2
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information 2 3
- NIST Chemistry WebBook
- Tlooto literature search 2 3 4 5
- UK cosmetics regulations (OPSS)
- US EPA CompTox dashboard
- US EPA DSSTox chemical database
- US FDA substance registration (GSRS) 2
- US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)
- Wikidata
- Wikipedia · Korean · English · Japanese