What is Vaseline?
Among the paraffinic hydrocarbons, petroleum jelly (also known as "petrolatum") certainly plays a fundamental role: obtained from the residues of petroleum distillation, petroleum jelly represents a petrolatum particularly exploited in the cosmetic sphere as an excipient of ointments, creams and ointments.
Vaseline owes its name to R. Chesebrough, who, towards the 1860s, was able to produce some samples of paraffin derivatives. The term vaseline is composed of two German words: wasser (water) and elaion (oil ).
Features
Characteristics and chemical analysis of Vaseline
Vaseline is a heterogeneous mixture of heavy oils (25 carbon atoms) and saturated paraffinic hydrocarbons, both solid and liquid, obtained from petroleum residues.
The consistency of the petroleum jelly is soft, waxy to the touch and greasy; the structure appears amorphous and homogeneous. Generally, petroleum jelly is odorless and colorless; sometimes it is translucent-semitransparent yellow.
Vaseline melts at 37 ° C and the boiling point reaches 302 ° C. The hydrocarbon compound does not oxidize in contact with air and is chemically inert, which is why it is highly appreciated in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields.
Being a derivative of petroleum, it is easy to understand how petroleum jelly is insoluble in water and soluble, on the other hand, in solvents such as benzene, chloroform and aromatic hydrocarbons in general.
Production
Stages of Vaseline production
Some lubricating fractions are obtained from the distillation of oils, which are subsequently subjected to refining. At first, the obtained fractions are carefully processed with sulfuric acid, then neutralized with soda and washed. In the last step of refining, these are bleached with special bleaching coals and, finally, filtered.
Types of petroleum jelly
There is no "single type of petroleum jelly; white petrolatum (or white petroleum jelly) is of superior quality, followed by yellow and brown petrolatum, qualitatively less important products because they contain waste carcinogens, deriving from the refining process.
- White Vaseline: remarkably refined and quality aliphatic hydrocarbon, widely used as an emollient and lubricant. It is not carcinogenic.
- Yellow petroleum jelly: it is more oily than white petroleum jelly, and potentially more dangerous. Yellow petroleum jelly has major carcinogenic impurities; however, this is also sometimes used in cosmetics (in smaller quantities). Yellow Vaseline is more oily than white Vaseline.
- Brown petroleum jelly: more polluted by residues from the petroleum refining process. It is not used in the pharmaceutical or cosmetic fields.
Uses
As mentioned, petroleum jelly is widely used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, but not only, since there are many other household and non-household uses of this substance.
The main uses of this substance will be briefly illustrated below.
Medical-pharmaceutical uses
In the pharmaceutical field, petroleum jelly is widely used as an excipient with an emollient and lubricating action for the preparation of creams, ointments and ointments. A typical example of the use of petroleum jelly in the pharmaceutical field is given by the galenic preparation of salicylic acid-based ointments (petroleum jelly salicylic) with keratolytic and antifungal action. Given the keratolytic action of salicylic petroleum jelly, this galenic preparation (at the appropriate concentrations) is widely used in patients suffering from psoriasis (subject to medical prescription).
In addition to its use as an excipient, Vaseline is also used as an emollient laxative, often together with vegetable oils with similar properties (almond oil, olive oil) or as a base in which to disperse mild laxatives (mass-forming, osmotic such as magnesia ); by virtue of its lubricating properties, in fact, the petroleum jelly taken orally facilitates the transit of intestinal contents. If used alone, on an empty stomach, the average recommended dose is 15-60 ml per day, sufficient to produce a consistent laxative effect within 6-10 hours of intake.
Furthermore, petroleum jelly can be used in medicinal oils enriched with zinc, carbolic acid or other active ingredients.
Use cosmetics
Given its emollient properties, petroleum jelly is also widely used in cosmetics (INCI nomenclature: Petrolatum), where it is used in the formulation of a large variety of products, such as:
- Gels, balms and sticks for dry and dehydrated lips;
- Lip glosses and lipsticks;
- Body hygiene products;
- Shaving preparations;
- Massage oils;
- Body creams;
- Hair conditioners.
Spread on the skin, petroleum jelly creates a sort of protective film (occlusive film), capable of decreasing trans-epidermal water loss. The occlusive film that is thus created is also able to protect (albeit in a limited way) the skin from the aggression of potentially irritating external agents.
Did you know that ...
At one time, petroleum jelly was also used as a lubricant for condoms: currently, the use of petroleum jelly for this purpose has fallen into disuse, as it reacts with the latex of the condom, deteriorating it.
Stringy Vaseline
This pharmaceutical grade pure white stringy petroleum jelly is typically used as a mixing base in multiple applications, including cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food and industrial applications in general.
For medical use, it is to be considered as a neutral emulsion, of a translucent white color, with a protective anti-friction action in the pre-dressing phase and in the case of bandages to protect the epidermis from any type of rubbing with the tissues.
For pharmacological use, on the other hand, it is able to hydrate and make the skin more elastic. This makes it ideal for tattoos and as a general purpose lubricant.
The compound is produced in compliance with the current regulations of the Official Pharmacopoeia.
White petroleum jelly
Petrolatum, more commonly known as petroleum jelly, is widely used in cosmetics and personal care products.
Petrolatum's unique moisturizing properties differ in effectiveness from many other ointments and creams.
This petroleum jelly, available in packs of 3, helps repair dry skin by maintaining hydration and creating a protective layer under the skin's surface. By maintaining hydration, the product helps fight conditions such as cracked skin and accelerates the skin's natural healing.
Other uses
The uses of petroleum jelly - especially in the vast world of DIY - are really many, some of which could be described as somewhat questionable.
In any case, among the alternative uses of petroleum jelly we mention the one that foresees its application on the teeth in order to obtain a particular shiny effect.
Another rather curious use of petroleum jelly involves its application near the nostrils in order to avoid allergic attacks in individuals with pollen allergy (when it comes to allergies, a doctor's opinion is still necessary before carrying out any do-it-yourself treatment. ).
We also remind you that petroleum jelly can be used at the end of the execution of a tattoo directly on the affected area, both by virtue of its emollient properties and by virtue of its ability to create a protective film in correspondence with the same tattoo. The formation of the occlusive film is very useful to protect the skin (already irritated and inflamed) from external insults. In reality, the use of petroleum jelly in this field is now falling into disuse and a growing number of tattoo artists prefer to advise their customers on the application of other products, such as, for example, the soothing pastes that are used for nappy change (eg Bepanthenol®). These pastes - in addition to exerting a protective action on the skin - have soothing, moisturizing, elasticizing and regenerating properties.
Finally, Vaseline can also be used for the production of industrial lubricants, shoe creams, anti-rust products, etc.
Side effects
Although, in principle, petroleum jelly is a product well tolerated by most individuals, its use is certainly not free from undesirable effects. These effects, of course, differ according to the use made of the substance (external or internal).
When taken orally as a laxative, petroleum jelly can cause the following side effects:
- Delayed healing of anal wounds;
- Possibility of absorption and deposition in the lymph nodes, mucosa, liver and spleen, resulting in foreign body reactions.
The abuse of this practice can also cause anal leakage of petroleum jelly, with consequent local itching up to pictures of anal stenosis.
When used topically (pure, or inside cosmetic products or pharmaceutical preparations), petroleum jelly can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Furthermore, since petroleum jelly creates an occlusive film when spread on the skin, it could exert a comedogenic action in predisposed individuals.
Risks and Dangers
As discussed above, petroleum jelly is a petroleum derivative: in this regard it is potentially carcinogenic. Tant "is that some scientific studies have shown a possible correlation between the use of petroleum jelly and the formation of hepatic neoplasms. [taken from http://it.wikipedia.org/]
However, at present, white petroleum jelly is still considered a safe product and for this reason it can be used in the preparation of drugs, as well as in the most disparate cosmetic formulations.
Summary
Vaseline: in short
Vaseline
Paraffinic hydrocarbon obtained from the residues of petroleum distillation: it is the petroleum gel par excellence, used to indicate the entire category of petrolatum.
Etymology of the term
Vaseline owes its name to R. Chesebrough: the term is composed of two German words: wasser (water) and elaion (oil).
Chemical analysis of petroleum jelly
- Composition: heterogeneous mixture of heavy oils and saturated paraffinic hydrocarbons.
- Consistency: soft, waxy to the touch and greasy.
- Solubility: insoluble in water and soluble in benzene, chloroform and aromatic hydrocarbons in general.
- Structure: amorphous and homogeneous.
- Features: odorless and colorless; sometimes, translucent-semitransparent yellow.
- Fusion point: 37 ° C
- Boiling point: 302 ° C
Extractive process
Vaseline is made from petroleum residues:
Petroleum distillation → obtaining lubricating fractions → refining:
- Sulfuric acid treatment,
- Neutralization with soda
- Wash
- Bleaching with bleaching carbon
- Filtration
Classification of petroleum jelly
Vaseline is classified in white, yellow, brown, according to the color and potentially carcinogenic impurities contained.
Vaseline: uses
Wide use in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry:
- Lubricant and excipient of creams, ointments and ointments.
- Production of products for lips, for body hygiene and for shaving (emollient properties).
- Production of hair conditioners.
- Tooth polish.
- Protective film (application to the skin).
- Condom lubricant (no longer in use).
- Lubricating and emollient laxative.
- Massage oils and medicinal oils enriched with zinc, carbolic acid, salicylates, etc.
- Do-it-yourself remedy against pollen allergies (only after consulting a doctor).
- After the tattoos for the emollient action and to protect the treated area from external insults.
- Shoe products.
- Industrial lubricants.
- Antirust products.
Side effects
- Internal use: delayed healing of anal wounds; possibility of absorption and deposit in the lymph nodes, mucosa, liver and spleen, resulting in foreign body reactions; anal leaks of petroleum jelly, with consequent local itching up to pictures of anal stenosis.
- External use: potential allergic reactions; comedogenic action.
Petroleum jelly: dangers
Potentially carcinogenic
Possible correlation between the use of petroleum jelly and the formation of hepatic neoplasms.
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