From the Research
Petroleum Jelly Toxicity
- The toxicity of petroleum jelly is a topic of interest, with various studies examining its effects on human health 1, 2, 3, 4.
- A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that petroleum jelly (Vaseline) accelerated barrier recovery in human skin, rather than impeding it, and permeated throughout the stratum corneum interstices 1.
- Another study published in Toxicology letters evaluated the dermal uptake of petroleum substances and found that aromatic hydrocarbons showed higher dermal absorption than more lipophilic aliphatics, but the overall dermal exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons was limited and unlikely to be associated with health risks under real use scenarios 2.
- A study on the preventive role of petroleum jelly on COVID-19 infection found that petroleum jelly may be effective in preventing COVID-19 infection, but more research is needed to confirm these findings 5.
- A review of the toxicological databases for petroleum refinery products, including mineral oils and their additives, found that none of the chemical entities reviewed had been reported as producing adverse toxic effects upon ingestion resembling the specific set of symptoms and progression that characterized Toxic Oil Syndrome (TOS) 3.
- An assessment of petroleum streams for thyroid toxicity found that the thyroid gland was almost invariably not a target organ in the studies reviewed, and the available data indicated a low potential for thyroid hormone effects from exposure to petroleum streams, especially when the aromatic content is low 4.
Key Findings
- Petroleum jelly is not toxic and may have beneficial effects on skin health 1.
- Dermal exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons is limited and unlikely to be associated with health risks under real use scenarios 2.
- Petroleum jelly may have a preventive role in COVID-19 infection, but more research is needed to confirm these findings 5.
- Petroleum refinery products, including mineral oils and their additives, do not produce adverse toxic effects upon ingestion resembling the specific set of symptoms and progression that characterized TOS 3.
- Petroleum streams have a low potential for thyroid hormone effects, especially when the aromatic content is low 4.