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Petrolatum

Controversial0 products
CAS
8009-03-8
EC
2323732

Creates a protective barrier on the skin. May contain carcinogenic substances if not properly refined; however, the refined form in quality products is safe.

What does it do?

A barrier ingredient that softens the skin and protects it against moisture loss.

Details

Petrolatum (Vaseline) is a semi-solid substance obtained by refining petroleum. It prevents moisture loss and softens the skin by creating a protective barrier. The concern is that unrefined petrolatum may contain carcinogenic impurities; however, cosmetic-grade, fully refined petrolatum is considered safe. EU regulation permits its use provided the raw source is known and proven to be non-carcinogenic.

Hazards

None Specified

Benefits

Barrier Repairing

Functions

Moisturizing Agent

Restrictions

None Specified

Where is it found?

Lip balm
Moisturizing cream
Baby care product

Also known as

Petroleum Jelly

Function & Use

Emollient

Antistatic

UV Absorber

Skin-Conditioning Agent

Moisturising

Regulatory note

  • EU 1223/2009 Annex IIProhibited
The verdict isn’t ours: below is what SCCS (EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety), ToxValDB (EPA Toxicity Value Database) said, verbatim.

What The Sources Say

SCCS (EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety)4
Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex II — SCCS opinion: Opinion concerning Chemical Ingredients in Cosmetic Products classified as Carcinogenic

Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex II — SCCS opinion: Mutagenic or Toxic to Reproduction according to the Chemicals Directive 67/548/EECC

Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex II — SCCS opinion: Mutagenic or Toxic to Reproduction according to the Chemicals Directive 67/548/EEC

+1 more records.

ToxValDB (EPA Toxicity Value Database)3
Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Eye Irritation, classification: Category 2B. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Skin Irritation, classification: Not classified. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Skin Sensitization, classification: Not classified. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

Scientific References

  • EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DSSTox identifiers mapped to CAS (2021r1)US EPA, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure
  • EU CosIng — Cosmetic Ingredient Database full exportEuropean Commission, DG GROW
  • INCIDB — Skincare & Cosmetics INCI Database (Kaggle 2026.07)INCIDB (derived from EU CosIng, US FDA MoCRA, NLM DailyMed, OBF)
  • Mutagenic or Toxic to Reproduction according to the Chemicals Directive 67/548/EECSCCS — Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
  • Mutagenic or Toxic to Reproduction according to the Chemicals Directive 67/548/EECCSCCS — Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
  • OpenFDA Cosmetic Adverse Events (api.fda.gov/cosmetic/event)US FDA — unvalidated adverse event reports
  • Opinion concerning Chemical Ingredients in Cosmetic Products classified as CarcinogenicSCCS — Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
  • ToxValDB — skin/eyeUS EPA — ToxValDB v97