Petroleum Jelly is a topical ointment that is used to treat anything from dry skin to nose bleeds and even chest cold. But is it really safe to use it? There are few reasons why you should stop using the petroleum jelly immediately and replace it with some other natural products that are indeed healthy.
Few reasons to stop using Petroleum Jelly immediately
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Petroleum Jelly May be Carcinogenic
Petroleum jelly may contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which can enter the body through contact with the skin. If they enter the body, they can be stored in the kidneys, fat, or in the liver. It contains many substances that can even be harmful to the human body and health.
The makers claim that the Petroleum Jelly is, in fact, free of carcinogen- causing compounds but the EU requires a proof that the product is not a carcinogen.
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Petroleum Jelly is taken from Fossil Fuels
The unprocessed version of the petroleum was discovered on an oil rig. The substance was thick and dark, so it was necessary to be scraped away from time to time to prevent the rig from malfunctioning.
Despite the fact that it is a byproduct of oil, petroleum jelly is still used as an odorless gel.
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Not only that it does not nourish the skin, Petroleum Jelly can stop the skin from producing its own moisture
People use petroleum jelly as a treatment for dry skin. But it does not contain any healing and medicinal properties. It can even make your skin to stop producing its own moisture.
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It can even create an inaccessible barrier on the skin
It can cause dry skin because the thick gel creates a barrier that traps moister and provides protection against air, water, and bacteria.
What to use instead of Petroleum Jelly
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Shea Butter
Shea Butter has moisturizing properties that are great for nourishing the skin. It is full of iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese, fatty acids, copper, vitamin E and even potassium. Furthermore, it has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Cocoa Butter
Cocoa Butter is made of a large number of fatty acids and antioxidants, such as catechins, gallic acid, anthocyanidins, and proanthocyanidins, which provide an anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.
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Mango Butter
Mango Butter is full of palmitic, stearic, and even oleic acids, with smaller amounts of lauric, myristic, and omega-3 fatty acids.
You should really think carefully about using the Petroleum Jelly again. There are some other products that can help you for nourishing the skin.