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Ingredient guide

Petroleum / Petrolatum.

Also known as: petrolatum, petroleum jelly, white petrolatum, mineral jelly, soft paraffin

A semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum refining.

Regulations

Global status.

How petroleum / petrolatum is regulated in cosmetics around the world.

Restricted in 2Allowed in 9

18% of countries with data ban or restrict this ingredient

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธUSA
Allowed
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บEU
Restricted
Details

Petrolatum permitted only when full refining history is known; banned if not fully refined per Annex II entry 306.

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งUK
Restricted
Details

Same as EU; must show full refining history.

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆCanada
Allowed
๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ตJapan
Allowed
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ทS. Korea
Allowed
๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บAustralia
Allowed
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณChina
Allowed
๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ทBrazil
Allowed
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณIndia
Allowed
๐ŸŒASEAN
Allowed
Why itโ€™s used

The reason brands include it.

Creates an inexpensive occlusive barrier on the skin that locks in moisture, giving products a smooth, protective feel.

34

products in our database

13

brands use it

3

product categories

Categories

Petroleum / Petrolatum in product types.

Click a category to see every product containing petroleum / petrolatum.

Alternatives

Common alternatives.

shea butter
cocoa butter
beeswaxjojoba oil
mango seed butter

What Numbrrrz uses

Numbrrrz does not use petroleum / petrolatum. Every tube is organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil and vitamin E, plus organic essential oils or flavoring in the scented versions.

Questions

Quick answers.

What is Petroleum / Petrolatum?
A semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum refining.
Why is Petroleum / Petrolatum used in cosmetics?
Creates an inexpensive occlusive barrier on the skin that locks in moisture, giving products a smooth, protective feel.
How is Petroleum / Petrolatum regulated?
Approved as an over-the-counter skin protectant when refined to USP grade.
Does Numbrrrz contain Petroleum / Petrolatum?
No. Numbrrrz is made from four base ingredients: organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil and vitamin E, plus organic essential oils or flavoring in the scented versions. That is a formulation choice, not a judgment about other products.
Related comparisons

How these brands stack up.

Side-by-side ingredient comparisons with brands whose products list petroleum / petrolatum.

Four base ingredients

Prefer a short label?

Organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil and vitamin E, in a 0.5 oz (14 g) USDA Organic tube.