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Petroleum jelly is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons (mainly alkanes) extracted from crude oil. It is also called petrolatum, Vaseline, or jelly oil. It was discovered in 1859 by Robert Chesebrough when he noticed a residue on oil rigs in Pennsylvania. He took some of this residue back to his lab in Brooklyn and experimented with it. After months of refining the substance, he created what he called “Wonder Jelly.” He then started promoting it as a healing product.
Petroleum jelly has the following types in bulk:
Cosmetic petroleum jelly
This is a refinement of pharmaceutical-grade petroleum jelly that is further purified and often mixed with other cosmetic ingredients to produce jelly products for beauty and skin care applications. These petroleum jellies may contain additives such as alcohols, botanical oils and extracts, vitamin E, scent, and cocoa butter for moisturizing and healing skin-related problems like dryness, chapping, burns, and cracked heels and lips. Cosmetic petroleum jelly is used widely because it is an affordable, versatile, and effective moisturizer.
Industrial-grade petroleum jelly
This is a petroleum jelly form that has been processed for industrial use without the stringent purification requirements for cosmetic or medical petroleum jelly. Industrial petroleum jelly has applications as a lubricant, rust and corrosion retardant, protective coating in the electrical industry, and sealant and clay retardant in the construction industry. It is less expensive than pharmaceutical-grade petrolatum, and since it does not usually come into contact with the human body directly, the lower refinement standard is adequate for its uses.
Pharmaceutical petroleum jelly
This is also called medical-grade petroleum jelly and it is highly refined to remove potentially harmful impurities like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that have been linked to cancer. It serves as an ointment base for medicines, drug delivery systems, wound dressings, skin protectants, and products for medical devices like catheters and prosthetics. Because of its high degree of refinement, medical-grade petroleum jelly is safe for use within the body and for treating open wounds and other medicines on the skin. Its high purity means it has no scent, and its texture is smooth and thick with a greasy feel. The three forms of this jelly include white, yellow, and clear, and its bulk variants can be stored in barrels or containers and transported by truck or train.
Technical petroleum jelly
Technical petroleum jelly is a slightly less refined petroleum jelly than industrial-grade petroleum jelly. It sometimes still contains small amounts of the harmful PAHs not removed during refinement, so it is not suitable for medical or cosmetic use on the body. It is, however, useful and applicable in sealing, lubrication, rust and corrosion retardation, and protecting electrical parts in the electrical and engineering industry. It is a lower-cost option for general technical maintenance and equipment protection.
Moisturization and hydration
Bulk petroleum jelly has the special feature of creating a protective barrier on the skin that helps lock in moisture. This makes it effective in combating dryness and leaving the skin soft and hydrated, especially in extreme weather conditions and for people with dry and sensitive skin. It also alleviates itchiness, tautness, blistering, and cracking that come with dryness.
Healing of wounds
Petroleum jelly promotes the healing of minor cuts, burns, and abrasions by protecting them from germs and irritants and keeping the wound moist. This prevents scabbing, reduces the risk of infection, and speeds up healing. It has a soothing effect on wounds and a similar effect on sunburn.
Lip care
A bulk lip gloss petroleum jelly can be used in chapsticks and lip balms to protect the thin skin on the lips from environmental elements, seal moisture, and prevent chapping and cracking. It may be combined with other lipotropic ingredients for more effective moisturizing and softening of the lips.
Rough skin treatment
Bulk petroleum jelly helps treat rough and calloused skin on the feet and elbows by softening it and reducing the appearance of rough patches. It is especially effective when used overnight with the feet and elbows slathered in jelly and covered with socks or pads to trap moisture and softened skin. It is used by athletes to prevent chafing in sensitive areas during exercise and long-distance running.
Protective barrier
In medical and healthcare settings, bulk petroleum jelly is used on soft tissues like the nose and in between a baby’s tender buttocks during diapering and changing to create a protective barrier against irritants like moisture and harsh environmental conditions to alleviate irritation and inflammation. It is also used on dry and sensitive skin to protect it from irritants.
Cosmetic versatility
Petroleum jelly in bulk is used in several cosmetic applications, such as mixing with pigments to create glossy lip products, highlighting to give a dewy glow to skin, and taming flyaway hair by smoothing and giving shine. Since it is colorless and odorless, it is also used in cosmetics where it serves as a base for different products.
It seals and preservers fragrance
Bulk petroleum jelly is sometimes applied to the skin before the application of perfumes and colognes to make them last longer by sealing the skin's moisture and allowing the fragrance to stick and be absorbed for a longer time. The same is also done with scented lotions by applying petroleum jelly over them to preserve fragrance longer. This is particularly useful in conditions that are hot and humid, and dry, and on oily skin types, for various reasons, fragrances tend to dissipate faster.
Non-comedogenic
Contrary to many moisturizer creams and lotions, bulk petroleum jelly does not clog pores, making it suitable for various skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, as it comes in different formulations.
Medical uses
Petroleum jelly is used in medicine and healthcare to protect the skin from irritation caused by wetness in bed sores, rashes, and on different soft tissues like the nose and in between a baby’s buttocks during changing, to condition and preserve the skin for surgical and post-surgical care, and to create a barrier on a wound or cut to prevent entry of germs, which can slow healing. It is a treatment for dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, skin burns, bedsores, and pressure sores. It is also used to moisturize and soften dry, cracked heels and other areas of the body that are exposed to extreme weather and working conditions. Medical-grade petroleum jelly may be combined with medicaments to make an ointment for delivering medications topically for various infections and diseases. In laboratories, bulk pure vaseline can be used as a lubricant for instruments, a sealant for sample tubes and containers, and a preservative for biological specimens and sensitive chemicals.
Personal care and cosmetic uses
Petroleum jelly is used in personal care and beauty-related products for skin care, lip care, and hair grooming. It is mixed with acids, colors, oils, and other cosmetic ingredients to create moisturizers, body creams, lotions, lipsticks, and balms that offer moisturizing, softening, healing, shining, and protective benefits to the user’s skin, hair, and lips. It is useful for make-up removal in the eyes, especially mascara, eye shadows, and lipsticks, where it is used as a primer, highlighter, and setting for moisturizing hand creams, body oils, and perfumes.”
Industrial uses related to lubrication and maintenance
Petroleum jelly is used in industrial settings to help with lubrication, maintenance, and conservational procedures. Because of its tendency to hold moisture, it is useful in protecting metal parts, machinery, and tools from rust and corrosion, especially in marine, automotive, and manufacturing industries with hostile working environments. In mechanical systems, it is mixed with greases and oils as a cheap additive that boosts lubrication and extends the lifetime of the lubricant by preventing it from drying up. Its sealing properties make it useful in gaskets, O-ring, and seal for leak-proof, dust-proof, and moisture-proof purposes in machinery and devices, especially when they are temporarily sealed. Also, in electrical engineering, it insulates and protects wires, connections, and components from moisture, oxidization, and low levels of electrical activities by coating them. In the constructions industry, it is used to retard clay and is applied to formwork to prevent concrete from sticking. In mining and oil exploration and processing, it forms a protective coat over workers’ hands and exposed skin against harsh chemicals, oils, and toxins, which helps minimize especially the long-term effects on health.
Technical applications
Petroleum jelly is applied in sealing items like containers, tubes, pipes, and laboratory or industrial equipment that require a hermetic seal and in buffering gaskets, washers, and O-rings, especially where temporary sealing is applied. It protects these parts from dust and moisture, which aids in preventing rust and corrosion, especially in moist and humid environments. Its low chemical reactivity means it can be used in applications where low reactivity is expected, such as sealing food containers. Because petroleum jelly tends to hold moisture, it can also be applied in electrical wiring insulation and the protection of connectors and terminals from oxidization, moisture, and electrical interference. Skills and know-how in engineering and harnessing petroleum jelly are transportable to the medical and personal care industries, making it a cheap and easily accessible product to use.
Pore-clogging
Consider whether the petroleum jelly is non-comedogenic or pore-clogging, especially if the petroleum jelly is to be used for medical, personal care, or cosmetics-related applications because it can be safely used in products that are meant for people with oily and acne-prone skin who need moisturization.
Texture and purity
Look for petroleum jelly that possesses the desired texture and purity because fine-grade petroleum jellies work better in pharmaceutical-grade products, medical ointments, and skin-care products and for drug delivery and wound dressing purposes, while coarser petroleum jelly may be used in industrial and mechanical applications.
Reputable source
Buy petrolatum from a reputable supplier, manufacturer, or brand that ensures product quality and hygiene, especially for medical-related, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and personal care-related uses because when there are stringent and continuous quality control measures, the chances of contamination and composition are minimal, and you get a product of the same quality each time.
$Consider the fragrance, color, and additives
Fragrance, color, and sundry additives can be considered when choosing bulk petroleum jelly that is meant to be used in cosmetics and personal care products. Thus, additives such as vitamin E, cocoa butter, and natural oils may be sought for their skin-care benefits. While colorless petroleum jelly is sought in pharmaceutical and medical applications because it is pure, yellow-tinted petroleum jelly is likely to contain less refined petrochemicals and may, therefore, be less pure and may be loved by some for its earthy scent.
Price and quantity
Consider pricing and the amount or quantity to be purchased. Since petroleum jelly is oil-based, its price is generally determined by the refining process and by-grade petroleum jelly; however, for bulk purchases, ask for a better rate per unit because you will save money and time; reliable delivery schedule and lead times need to be considered, too.
A1: bulk lip balm petroleum jelly usually comes in barrels, drums, or large containers such as 200-liter/55-gallon drums, 1000-liter/270-gallon IBCs (intermediate bulk containers), and flow bulk bags. The choice of packaging depends on the quantity ordered and the customer's handling and transport capabilities.
A2: Yes, bulk petroleum jelly can be customized by adding fragrances, colors, and active ingredients like vitamins or botanical extracts to suit specific cosmetic or personal care requirements. Packaging designs can also be tailored to suit branding and marketing needs.
A3: The shelf life of bulk petroleum jelly is generally long, typically 3 to 5 years when stored properly in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Adding fragrances or other additives may affect the shelf life; regular checks are recommended for quality assurance.
A4: Bulk petroleum jelly is usually shipped in bulk in large containers such as drums, IBCs, or tanker trucks, depending on the quantity. Standard shipping methods include road, rail, or sea freight, with appropriate measures taken to ensure safe and leak-proof delivery.
