Vaseline
Vaseline is a semi-solid substance refined from petrolatum and consists of hydrocarbons with more than 20 carbon atoms in the molecular structure.
PJ is a colorless and odorless substance with a typical melting point between 40-70°C. It also has various industrial applications as a lubricant.
What is Vaseline and what is its use?
Vaseline is a petroleum-based product. This product was invented by Robert Chesebrough and since then it has been used as a lubricant. This product can be used to treat skin wrinkles. Although it does not hydrate the skin, it can have positive effects. Vaseline is also used to treat diseases such as psoriasis and rosacea.
What is Vaseline?
Vaseline is a product that is widely available in the market. This product heals, rejuvenates and moisturizes dry and cracked skin. This semi-solid substance is actually a mixture of hydrocarbons that are usually found in oil. For this reason, Vaseline is also called petroleum jelly. The first brand of Vaseline is Unilever, which was previously widely advertised as 100% pure petroleum jelly. For almost 135 years, this product is still in the first category of skin care products.
Compared to today’s commercial giant, Vaseline was not so famous in the past. This product, which was first known as “Wonder Jelly” was invented by Robert Augustus Chesebrough. Miners applying the byproduct of oil drilling to their dry, cracked skin got Chesebrough thinking. This by-product was actually unrefined petroleum jelly known as stick wax.
The workers applied stick wax on the wrinkled and dry parts of their skin. Chesebrough decided to do more research on this petroleum jelly. Robert conducted many tests in the refinery to produce a safer and better product. Although Vaseline was a versatile solution for dry and cracked skin, it was made up of unstable and unhealthy ingredients. This product could have many environmental hazards.
Vaseline (petroleum jelly), a byproduct of crude oil
After processing, crude oil is transformed into oil with useful capabilities through the extraction of liquid hydrocarbons in crude oil refineries. Petroleum jelly, or the raw material of Vaseline, is obtained after vacuum distillation followed by filtration through bone charcoal. Petroleum jelly, or the main ingredient of Vaseline, makes up the largest percentage of the product in the Vaseline mixture. This material is extracted scattered in different factories throughout Africa. Vaseline consists of 6 main ingredients (raw materials). This product is made from petroleum jelly, paraffin oil, paraffin wax, lanolin and vitamin E. Petroleum jelly, paraffin oil and paraffin wax are by-products of crude oil.
Raw materials: Vaseline (petroleum jelly)
Chesebrough had a special recipe for the production of petroleum jelly. At the beginning, this product was semi-solid, transparent and odorless. Since then, the production steps and ingredients of Vaseline have changed a little. In general, the process of distillation and filtering has remained almost constant compared to the past. Because of this, synthetic petroleum jelly has several more ingredients than 100% pure petroleum jelly. Vaseline is the only petroleum jelly product that has three stages of purification. The purification process includes distillation, deaeration and filtration. These steps ensure that the resulting product is free of air bubbles and as uniform as possible.
Paraffin oil and paraffin wax
Paraffin wax and paraffin oil are two important ingredients in Vaseline. The term “paraffin” is often used instead of alkane. In fact, paraffin oil is used to adjust the consistency of the Vaseline mixture. Paraffin oil is a substance that both softens the skin and somehow brings nutrients into the skin. On the other hand, paraffin oil can be used as flammable hydrocarbon or as jet fuel. Paraffin wax is another by-product that is produced after the distillation process. This product is then separated and refined to be mixed with paraffin oil later. This compound is mixed with slack wax, which is made of paraffin oil. Slack wax is also a side product of lubricating gel. Paraffin wax is purified through sweating and solvent purification process.
Vaseline secondary ingredients
Petrolatum is one of the secondary materials in the production of petroleum jelly. Natural petrolatum can be purified by several different methods, including treatment with sulfuric acid and then neutralization with sodium hydroxide. Filtration through white earth, animal charcoal, silica gel, or aluminum silicate, selective solvent extraction, and catalytic hydrogenation are performed. The only difference between yellow and white Vaseline is that white Vaseline is more processed. As a result of this processing, a semi-solid and colorless product is created. To make white petrolatum, secondary raw materials of crude oil must be blended together. Vitamin E is added later to the mixture and placed in containers made of polypropylene and then in machine molds. In general, the extraction of crude oil in its primary form is harmful to the environment. Crude oil byproducts, such as petroleum jelly, may not directly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, but the refining and refining processes do emit carbon dioxide. Extraction of raw materials, separation, purification, melting and mixing of these materials have environmental consequences. The only option to remove Vaseline is to switch to coconut oil. As far as distribution, transportation, recycling and waste management processes go, Vaseline will not pose a particular problem.
Important uses of Vaseline
This non-carcinogenic product is refined in three separate stages. Petroleum jelly is actually an organic product that does not contain fragrance, color or external stimuli. It also has anti-allergic properties and does not block the pores of the skin. For some people, the mentioned applications may not be very effective. However, even if a long time has not passed since the expiration date of this product, it can have acceptable effects. The potential applications of petroleum jelly are discussed below. For example, did you know that you can use petroleum jelly while walking in environments full of insects and to stay away from bites?
Petroleum jelly is flammable
Petroleum jelly is great for igniting materials like wood. Many people who are active in outdoor environments dip cotton balls in petroleum jelly and keep it in a sealed bag. Then when they want to ignite the fire, they throw these cotton balls into the fire. These cotton balls ignite very quickly and keep the fire burning for up to 10 minutes even in windy or humid environments. In the military, gas pads are often immersed in petroleum jelly. The army uses Vaseline as an incendiary agent and to treat wounds. In fact, to ignite the fire, Vaseline can be added to any wool material and thrown into the fire. For better performance, you can dip a roll of toilet paper in petroleum jelly and then throw it in a small fire. This substance ignites your little fire.
Make candles from petroleum jelly
You can also make candles from Vaseline. Pour a large amount of Vaseline into a small container or tray filled with ashes. Take a cotton ball and twist it into a wick in a mixture of ash and vaseline.
Then apply a little vaseline on the mixture and dip the end of it into the container. Light the tip of the wick. The candle you made must be kept lit until all the petroleum jelly burns.
Lubricating property
Petroleum jelly can be used to lubricate the movement of industrial machinery. This product is also used to silence the squeaking sound of door hinges. If you don’t have grease, you can use petroleum jelly to lubricate the bicycle chain. You can also lubricate any wheel that has bearings. You can also grease the keyholes with this oil so that the keys turn smoothly in the lock. Applying Vaseline to lamp sockets, appliance shelves, fridge or oven will help prevent sticking. Applying Vaseline helps shower curtains and closet doors move easily. In addition to the above, petroleum jelly makes windows move smoothly and easily. Also, this product prevents clothing zippers from getting stuck. If you are worried about battery corrosion and rust on metal surfaces, just grease these surfaces with Vaseline.
first aid
Petroleum jelly has many uses in first aid. Vaseline keeps the skin moist. Also, using this popular ingredient can protect the skin from harsh drying elements. It also heals stitched wounds quickly. If you have cracked or dry skin, just apply some Vaseline on the affected area and then wear gloves for 20 minutes. Use this product only in cases such as scratches, burns and minor cuts. Do not use Vaseline in severe burns because it causes infection.
Vaseline can be used for any type of dry skin, including dry and cracked heels. To remove dry heels, apply Vaseline before going to bed and then wear socks and go to sleep. In the morning, you notice that the dryness of your heels is gone.
Petroleum jelly is great for skin irritation. Vaseline can be used to prevent diaper rash. Also, use this unique product to prevent sores and blisters from long walks. As mentioned earlier, Vaseline can prevent the skin from being irritated by wind and cold. Vaseline is used to treat dry skin around fingernails and toenails. You can combine petroleum jelly with Epsom salt and use it to make a scrub for your face or feet.
Keep insects away
Vaseline, if applied to hard surfaces, can get rid of banana bugs like ants. This product is ideal for preventing insects from entering pet food or food storage in general. Also, if you want to be safe from cockroach bites, you can apply Vaseline to the entrance of this insect.Also, if mosquitoes bother you while sleeping, you can apply petroleum jelly on a piece of paper and place it next to you. If you apply Vaseline on a long piece of paper and place it next to a lamp or lighting, after an hour you will notice that many mosquitoes have stuck to the surface of the paper and died. If you have a habit of studying late at night or preparing tomorrow’s projects, place a piece of paper dipped in Vaseline next to your reading light. Insects quickly stick to the paper and will not be able to move.
You can lubricate the spark plugs with petroleum jelly
If you use candles continuously, don’t forget the petroleum jelly. The candle wax continuously melts and runs down the sides of the candle, causing the candle holder to be filled with melted wax. It is difficult to remove this volume from the cooled wax. Sometimes you may break the wooden supports that hold the candle. Before lighting and using the candle, apply Vaseline to the candle holders. If a huge mountain of cooled wax has accumulated on the support legs, you can easily remove this wax from the candle base.
Care of leather products
If you have leather items at home, Vaseline can help you take care of these items. There are many leather protectors and conditioners on the market, but you don’t really need them. Only a vaseline can restore cracked and dried leather to its original state.
face correction
Vaseline has two basic uses when correcting the face. The most common use of this product is to use it on the shaved area to relieve irritation and retain moisture. However, you can also use petroleum jelly instead of depilatory cream. If you do not have a suitable shaving cream available, apply a small amount of this product on the desired area, then you can shave off the unwanted hair. Be careful that the razor does not create a wound on your skin.
