Petroleum jelly
[6][7] Robert Chesebrough, a young chemist whose previous work of distilling fuel from the oil of sperm whales had been rendered obsolete by petroleum, went to Titusville, Pennsylvania, to see what new materials had commercial potential.
Chesebrough took the unrefined green-to-gold-colored "rod wax", as the drillers called it, back to his laboratory to refine it and explore potential uses.
It is colorless (or of a pale yellow color when not highly distilled), translucent, and devoid of taste and smell when pure.
[17] The American Academy of Dermatology recommends keeping skin injuries moist with petroleum jelly to reduce scarring.
Large studies have found petroleum jelly applied to the nose for short durations to have no significant side effects.
[26] Although long known as just an occlusive, recent studies show that it is actually able to penetrate into the stratum corneum and helps in better absorption of other cosmetic products.
This property is exploited to provide heat insulation: petroleum jelly can be used to keep swimmers warm in water when training, or during channel crossings or long ocean swims.
It can prevent chilling of the face due to evaporation of skin moisture during cold weather outdoor sports.
[29][30] Petroleum jelly can be used to reduce the friction between skin and clothing during various sport activities, for example to prevent chafing of the seat region of cyclists, or the nipples of long distance runners wearing loose T-shirts, and is commonly used in the groin area of wrestlers and footballers.
[31] In addition, petroleum jelly is difficult for the body to break down naturally, and may cause vaginal health problems when used for intercourse.
[30] Petroleum jelly can be used to coat corrosion-prone items such as metallic trinkets, non-stainless steel blades, and gun barrels prior to storage as it serves as an excellent and inexpensive water repellent.
It was recommended in the Porsche owner's manual as a preservative for light alloy (alleny) anodized Fuchs wheels to protect them against corrosion from road salts and brake dust.
It was also recommended by Porsche in maintenance training documentation for lubrication (after cleaning) of "Weatherstrips on Doors, Hood, Tailgate, Sun Roof".
It softens the overall blend, allows the candle to incorporate additional fragrance oil, and facilitates adhesion to the sidewall of the glass.
Petroleum jelly is used to moisten nondrying modelling clay such as plasticine, as part of a mix of hydrocarbons including those with greater (paraffin wax) and lesser (mineral oil) molecular weights.
[28][30] Petroleum jelly can be mixed with a high proportion of strong inorganic chlorates due to it acting as a plasticizer and a fuel source.
[30] Petroleum jelly can be used to fill copper or fibre-optic cables using plastic insulation to prevent the ingress of water, see icky-pick.
The risks of PAH exposure through cosmetics have not been comprehensively studied, but food products with low levels (<3%) are not considered carcinogenic (by the EU).
[43] A 2012 scientific opinion by the European Food Safety Authority stated that mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) and polyaromatics were potentially carcinogenic and may present a health risk.
