Vaseline
INCI name
- Petrolatum,
Alternative names
- Vaseline,
- Gelbes Vaselin,
- Paraffin, Gelbes,
- Paraffinum Flavum,
- Vaselinum Flavum,
- weiße Vaseline,
- weißes Vaselin,
- White Soft Paraffin,
- weisse Vaseline,
Origin
- synthetic,
Definition
- 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,
INCI function
- antistatic,
- emulsion stabilising,
Substance category
- Mineral oils,
Characteristics
- reduces static electricity by neutralizing the electrical charge on the surface
- supports the emulsion formation and improves the emulsion stability and emulsion durability
- Builds waterproof layer
- Promotes comedone construction
- Can lead to heat build-up
- Does not support skin function
- Promotes wrinkle construction
- Prevents skin breathing
- Dries the skin
- Can accumulate in the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes
- Occlusive effect
CAS-No.
- 8009-03-8,
EINECS/EILINCS-No.
- 232-373-2,
Studies, literature and statements
Kursbuch Kosmetik, page 40
Paraffin oils and waxes are extracted from remnants of petroleum distillation, through washing and filtering the raw material. They have in the best case skin protective qualities; a product with a high portion of paraffin oil is occlusive, i.e. it remains like a locking film on top of the skin. One characteristic which is desired from a hand crème, but is not desired for a face crème for daily use.
For cosmetic manufacturers, the use of paraffin oils as a basic ingredient is extremely lucrative because it is easy to obtain and is above all inexpensive. From mineral oils it allows itself with the appropriate emulsifiers to be scentless, can be preserved for a long time and is used for working emulsions. It can be stored over a long period of time, does not change color, develops no smell of its own and can easily be used with every desired scent.
They are a cheap basic substance used in large production batches, which in addition does not oxidise, so that its use with antioxidants, in which it can prevent becoming rancid should be prevented. Natural cosmetic companies therefore refuse to use mineral oils. Weleda, an anthroposophically oriented manufacturer of natural cosmetics, gives the following reasons for this: "As a component of body care materials, oils from mineral origins are not appropriate, because they are not related to the skin. They do not support many of the skin's functions."
Springer Lexikon Kosmetik
Mineral oil products/paraffin/silicone: Most are manufactured from inexpensive mineral oil; these materials are used as a replacement for high-value plant oils. Paraffins are a general term for a large number of artificial materials, including Vaseline, which find wide use in cosmetics and drugs. One knows that some paraffin can reach the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes. Some paraffin wax has shown an inflammatory reaction on heart valves.
Springer Lexikon Kosmetik, page 437
Abstract from mineral oil (INCI description: petrolatum); half-solid, salve-type mix of saturated aliphatic carbohydrate materials in yellow or (bleached) white color. One differentiates between natural, sludge and artificial Vaseline. Characteristics: Binds film on the skin cannot be diluted by water from the outside; pure Vaseline is well tolerated on the skin. KOS use: Fat components, in make-up materials, cleaning materials, in lipsticks, skin protection materials (with surface effect). True Vaseline is made of a wax-type residue of mineral oil distillation which is refined with sulphuric acid and collared with Fuller's earth. Artificial Vaseline is a mix of solid and liquid paraffins. Is often used for the industrial manufacture of cosmetics.
Wikipedia
Paraffin usually does not pose a problem for the environment.
Larger damage can nevertheless be accepted with skin crèmes which contain paraffin. The newspaper "Eco-Test" evaluated paraffin-containing crèmes very low if they contain a specific percent amount which can lead to the danger of drying the skin, with added ability to create wrinkles. That which should be avoided (skin drying, formation of wrinkles) was produced. Eco-Test explained as follows: "Paraffins: Group description for a large number of artificial materials from mineral oil, prevent the natural regulation mechanisms and can reach the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes.
Eco-Test warns of more than 10% in a crème. Products from well-known firms such as Nivea contain significantly more paraffin in their crèmes.
Kosmetik Lexikon, page 358
Straight or branched hydrocarbon material with up to 60 and more carbon members are paraffin oils, Vaseline and paraffin waxes, which are used as basic raw materials in many ways in cosmetics. The products in a pure state are tolerated by the skin. They have the characteristic, however, to stay on the skin surface and to close the pores, and with this to suppress skin breathing.
Kosmetik-Inhaltsstoffe A-Z, page 164
Paraffins are petroleum products which are created through petroleum distillation -- among other things are at the bottom of raw petroleum tanks. Cleaned paraffin or paraffin oil (paraffinum liquidum) are processed for cosmetic products as well as candles, floor wax, polishes and shoe polish. Also Vaseline, which is often used as a basic ingredient for salves, is a paraffin product.
Product examples
This list includes 10 random products that contain Vaseline.
- Deynique Aloe Vera Beauty Creme
- Decubal Lippenbalsam
- Barielle Nail Strengthener Cream
- Lydia Dainow Cellutone
- Apotheke Ultrasicc
- Dline N O B - Nutrient Öl Bad® (Ohne Parfüm)-> Lipidgehalt 80% (I N C I _01.2024)
- Ego Qv Skin Lotion
- Deumavan Neutrale Schutzsalbe - Täglicher Intimschutz - Hormonfrei - Er + Sie (2019)
- Clarose Face Mask
- Original Hagners Vaseline Mit Calendula-Extrakt