What is Petroleum Jelly?
It is a combination of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons that is semi-solid. It is a translucent, flavorless, and odorless gel-like substance that is frequently applied to the skin to hydrate and speed up the healing of wounds. The popular petroleum jelly brand “Vaseline” is another name for it.
Physical Properties of Petroleum Jelly
- It is a semi-solid mixture.
- It has a smooth and creamy texture.
- It is insoluble in water.
Chemical Properties of Petroleum Jelly
- It is derived from petroleum
- It is composed primarily of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons.
- It is stable under normal conditions and does not react with most chemicals or substances.
- It is in-flammable.
- It is non-biodegradable.
Difference Between Petrolatum and Petroleum Jelly
Several skincare and cosmetic products contain petroleum jelly or petrolatum, however, we cannot argue that they are interchangeable. Although petroleum jelly and petrolatum have many physical and chemical characteristics, there are some distinctions as well, which we shall cover in the section after this. Since many individuals are perplexed by these distinctions, we shall lay out an easy-to-understand explanation of them in this piece. This will make it clearer to readers what to utilize for their individual skin care requirements.