Petroleum jelly is a staple in many people’s medicine cabinets and for a good cause. The lotion is gentle, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores), and it’s widely used to protect skin from minor cuts, scrapes, and burns, as well as windburn and chapping.
Do you have dry, itchy skin throughout the winter? Using the advice in Surviving Winter Itch, you can find relief. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway there as well!
Vaseline works by forming a barrier between cells, trapping moisture, and speeding up your skin’s natural recovery from dryness. Vaseline is likely to provide relief to persons who suffer from dry skin, irritation, minor cuts, chapped lips, diaper rash, or eczema.
Chemists make petroleum jelly from oil. It has been present for more than a century, discovered by mistake during the oil-drilling operation.
Refined petroleum jelly is a mineral oil that is sold as a general-purpose skin treatment by several brands.
The production method determines the purity of petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly that has not been refined may include dangerous chemicals, but refined petroleum jelly usually is safe.
Read the ingredients label carefully and contact the manufacturer if you have any queries regarding the refining and purifying procedure.
Benefits and uses
Petroleum jelly was previously advertised as a magical remedy for everything from wrinkles to burns. It is a versatile and economical skincare alternative, yet it cannot heal all skin conditions.
The following are some of the advantages of petroleum jelly:
1. It serves as a skin barrier
The skin does not readily absorb petroleum jelly. This implies it’s more of a barrier than a moisturizer, as it can keep dirt out while still preventing moisture loss.
Before going outside in the cold, dry, windy air, people can try applying it to sore skin. It can be used under the nose of people who have a cold to reduce irritation from a runny nose or frequent nose wiping.
2. Avoiding chafing
Chafing is a painful condition that develops when the skin scrapes against another body part or clothing. This is mainly true for persons who suffer from eczema or have dry skin.
Chafing can cause rashes or broken skin in certain people. Petroleum jelly can be applied to places that are prone to chafing to help avoid it.
3. Diaper rash treatment
Many newborns get diaper rash by sitting in damp diapers, and petroleum jelly acts as a moisture barrier, reducing the incidence of diaper rash.
It can also be used to calm the skin and relieve existing diaper rashes.
4. Aiding in recovery
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends petroleum jelly to aid skin healing. Because petroleum jelly forms a natural barrier, it may help to prevent infection and scarring.
However, a study published in 2018 refutes this assertion. According to the experts, Petroleum jelly interferes with the skin’s natural protective film, reducing healing and raising the risk of infection.
5. Reduce skin peeling
It might be aggravating to have your skin peel. When skin becomes so dry that it peels, petroleum jelly can relieve irritation and aid in the healing process.
During the colder months, people can try applying it on chapped lips or itchy eyelids.
Is petroleum jelly an effective eczema treatment?
Petroleum jelly’s primary ingredient is petroleum, which forms a protective barrier that helps your skin retain moisture and heal. Petroleum jelly is hypoallergenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antifungal, making it potential eczema prevention and management option.
Eczema is a skin disease that comes and goes over time. It causes dehydrated and sensitive skin—a variety of factors aggravate this, including allergens like pet dander or dust mites. Soaps, detergents, and lotions with strong smells are also popular triggers. Eczema can also be irritated by perfumes and cleaning chemicals. Weather changes (dry winter air) aggravate eczema in some persons.
Eczema can create skin breakdown, allowing irritants, allergens, and bacteria to breach your skin barrier. Your skin will be more susceptible to irritation, allergic responses, and infection as a result of this.
Petroleum jelly improves the texture and appearance of your skin by strengthening and repairing your skin barrier. Its thick viscosity protects and hydrates your skin.
Moisturized skin also helps wounds heal faster by preventing scab formation. It may also relieve irritation, allowing you to scratch less.
Petroleum jelly is highly tolerated and effective on delicate skin, making it an excellent eczema therapy. Unlike some other treatments that hurt and create discomfort, Petroleum jelly contains moisturizing and relaxing characteristics that help relieve inflammation, redness, and pain.
You must maintain your skin hydrated to avoid eczema flare-ups.
How do you treat eczema with petroleum jelly?
Petroleum jelly can be used to prevent and treat eczema flare-ups.
Apply the ointment when your skin is still damp after a shower or bath to lock in hydration. Petroleum jelly can be used alone or in combination with a moisturizer. If you don’t want to use it all over your body, only apply it to the itchiest or sensitive parts.
Wet wrap therapy keeps moisture in and keeps irritants, allergens, and microorganisms out of injured skin. It also aids in the reduction of itching, scratching, and picking.
The steps for wet wrap therapy are as follows:
1. Soak a gauze or cotton fabric in warm water until it is just moist.
2. Use the dressing to the affected area.
3. Cover the wet dressing with a dry dressing, such as hand and foot gloves or socks, cotton fabric, food-grade plastic wrap, or vinyl gloves.
4. Cover the dressings with plastic wrap and let them on for a few hours or overnight.
Wrapping up
To prevent and manage eczema flare-ups, petroleum jelly is an excellent and cost-effective therapy choice. It has anti-inflammatory properties that protect, hydrate, and soothe sensitive skin. When buying petroleum jelly, check the label to make sure it’s free of additives.
If you have any unfavorable effects after using petroleum jelly to treat eczema, or if your condition does not improve or worsens over time, seek medical help.
