Why Is Vasoline Bad?

I've never heard that there is anything generally bad about petroleum jelly. It is completely insoluble in water -- which means that if you spread some on your skin, it will repel water while it will prevent any of your skin's natural moisture to evaporate. This can have a downside: it will essentially block your pours and, depending upon your skin type, could lead to break-outs. Because it will completely seal-in the skin's moisture and repel everything else, some people still use it to prevent diaper rashes. If you spread it over a scratch on your skin, it will prevent any dirt/bacteria/etc. from getting into the scratch. However, petroleum jelly will not be absorbed into the skin -- so it will not add moisture to your skin.

There are a few dangerous uses of petroleum jelly, including use on burns & sunburns (it will trap the heat inside) and use for nasal dryness (excessive use can lead to issues with the lungs). But it was used in World War II as a sunscreen for our soldiers, as it provided almost 100% protection against ultraviolet rays.

I wonder if the issues you've heard about have more to do with petroleum as a fuel source? Obviously, extraction and use of petroleum/crude oil has serious environmental issues for us all. I'll be interested in learning from other Mamas that respond. But, lest we forget our high school science learnings, crude oil (petroleum) is a fossil fuel, meaning that it was made naturally from decaying plants and animals living in ancient seas millions of years ago. Can't get much more organic than that!

I've just heard that petroleum jelly and mineral oil can clog and seal up your pores and is bad for your skin.

Hi J.--It it both. It is extremely toxic to us and the environment along with mineral oil, baby oil, paraffin, and ANY crude oil derivative. You see it is a by product of oil. The same stuff that when there is an oil spill kills and seriously destroys the living things around it because it literally suffocates the skin.

We need to use only products from plants and flowers. If you are looking for dry skin use extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil. Burts Bees, weleda and several other more natural skin care products are available now at every major chain. If you would like more info go to www.skindeep.com. They have a section where if you want to know about any ingredient used in personal care products on that website!!

In great health!!

T.
Detox Coach

I use vaseline all the time, I'm surprised to hear it is bad for the skin. I use it on my chapped lip and literally it heals the next day. If my son has a cold and he has wiped his nose so much that now it's red and irritated, I put vaseline on it and in the morning it is almost gone. Three days later it is completely gone.

I heard a woman's story on the radio a few weeks ago about dryness in her nose. Her doctor told her to apply Vaseline to the inside of her nose but I guess failed to tell her not to use it forever. After years of using it, the Vaseline burned a hole completely through her sternum. She now has a permanent hole through her nose on the inside. That was when I decided to stop using all petroleum jelly or mineral oils on my skin or my children! She didn't sound as she was making this story up either and completely blames herself for always using it. I guess in small amounts it can't hurt you but now I am getting used to the idea that if I won't drink it, I won't put it on my skin!