PETROLATUM

Petroleum jelly,petrolatum(/ˌpɛtrəˈleɪtəm/),white petrolatum,soft paraffin, ormulti-hydrocarbon,CAS number8009-03-8, is asemi-solidmixture ofhydrocarbons(withcarbon numbersmainly higher than 25),commonly promoted as atopical ointmentfor itshealingproperties.Vaselinehas been ‍‍‍‍‍‍​​​‍​​​​​​the dominant brand of petroleum jelly sold since 1870. After petroleum jelly became a medicine-chest staple, consumers began to use it for cosmetic purposes and for many ailments includingtoenail fungus, genital rashes (non-STI),nosebleeds,diaper rash, andcommon colds. Itsfolkloric medicinal valueas a "cure-all" has since been limited by a better scientific understanding of appropriate and inappropriate uses. It is widely recognized as askin protectantand is in common use forcosmeticskin care, where it is often loosely referred to asmineral oil.