Petroleum Jelly (USP Grade): Uses and Grades

Petroleum jelly is a soft, semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons, mostly with chains longer than about 25 carbons, refined from petroleum. Pharmacopoeias call the white, highly refined form white petrolatum or white soft paraffin.

• CAS number: 8009-03-8
• Appearance: white to faintly yellow, translucent, almost odourless and tasteless
• Melting range: roughly 36 to 60 °C, depending on the blend
• Solubility: insoluble in water; mixes with oils and waxes

Because it is a mixture, it has no single formula. On skin it forms a water-repellent layer that slows loss of moisture, which is why cosmetic chemists call it an occlusive. It doesn't go rancid like vegetable fats.

Azlok sells Petroleum Jelly (USP Grade). USP grade means it is meant to meet the United States Pharmacopeia monograph for petrolatum, which sets limits on colour, odour, acidity and impurities. That makes it suitable as a base for cosmetics and personal care products.

The product name doesn't give a pack size; check the listing for available weights. See today's price per kg.

• Cosmetics: base for lip balms, foot creams, cold creams, baby creams and hair pomades; helps keep skin from drying out in winter.
• Pharmaceutical bases: a standard ointment base, used by manufacturers under the relevant licences.
• Home and workshop: lubricating zips, drawer runners and rubber seals; a thin coat on battery terminals and tools to slow corrosion.
• Lab: greasing glass joints and sealing desiccator lids.
• Industry: leather care, cable filling compounds and as a release agent.

Simple lip balm (by weight): about 4 parts petroleum jelly, 1 part beeswax and 1 part a carrier oil such as coconut or almond.

1. Melt the beeswax and oil in a double boiler over hot water, not direct flame.
2. Add the petroleum jelly and stir until it melts; it softens below 60 °C.
3. Take it off the heat, add any cosmetic-grade flavour or colour, and pour into clean tins or tubes.
4. Let it set at room temperature. More beeswax makes it firmer; more jelly makes it softer.

For creams and lotions, add petroleum jelly to the oil phase, typically at a few percent up to about 30% depending on how rich you want the product. Heat both phases to around 70 to 75 °C before emulsifying.

For lubricating, apply a thin film with a cloth. More doesn't help; it just attracts dust. On tools stored in a damp shed, wipe them clean and dry first, then coat.

• It is combustible. Heat it gently in a water bath and never leave melting jelly unattended on a flame.
• Don't use it with latex condoms or latex gloves; oil-based products weaken latex.
• Don't put it inside the nose or use it on babies' noses; inhaled oily material can harm the lungs.
• Store in a closed container in a cool place, away from sunlight and strong oxidisers. Hot rooms make it runny.
• Use a clean spatula rather than fingers to keep the jar free of contamination.
• Patch test any new skin product on a small area first.
• Keep away from children.
• Wipe up spills with paper and dispose of it with solid waste; don't wash large amounts down the drain.

For anything that touches skin or lips, USP grade is what you want; it is more refined than industrial petroleum jelly. For greasing tools and hinges, any clean grade works, but USP grade does no harm.

A small pack suits home lip balms and household use. Small cosmetic brands making balms and creams regularly go through it quickly and usually save with larger packs. Finished cosmetics sold in India need to meet BIS and CDSCO requirements, so keep batch records.

For 25 kg and above, send a bulk inquiry with the grade and quantity.