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23 Ways to Use Petroleum-Free Jelly

Petroleum-Free Jelly Uses.

Petrolum Free Jelly Uses

Whether you call it petroleum jelly or Vaseline, the stuff is toxic. Here’s what Dr. Oz says:

Petroleum jelly is a byproduct of oil drilling, and when you spread it on your lips, you end up eating it, which is essentially the same as drinking gasoline. Add up the amount of lip-gloss the average woman uses (and consumes) over a decade, and it equals 7 pounds.

The European Union has banned many petroleum jelly products, and experts are concerned they could be linked to cancer. Women with breast cancer have twice the levels of hydrocarbons (substances found in petroleum jelly) in their breasts than women who haven’t had breast cancer.

Steer clear of any products that list petroleum jelly or mineral oil on the ingredient list. – Dr. Oz

Instead of using this stuff, here is an alternative – Homemade Non-Petroleum Jelly. It’s easy, a million times better for you, and there are so many ways that you can use it!

  1. Rub petroleum-free jelly on the outside of your Halloween pumpkin to keep it from rotting.
  2. Put a coat of petroleum-free jelly on your feet at night, cover them with socks and you will have softer feet in the morning!
  3. Help prevent diaper rash by applying a thin coat of petroleum-free jelly to a baby’s bottom.
  4. Use petroleum-free jelly on your knees and elbows to prevent dryness.
  5. Remove watermarks on wood by applying petroleum-free jelly and letting it sit overnight. In the morning, wipe away.
  6. Use with your lipstick to create a cream blush for your cheeks.
  7. Keep shampoo from getting in baby’s eyes by rubbing a line of petroleum-free jelly above the eyebrows (this will make the shampoo run off to the side).
  8. Tame your unruly eyebrows with a bit of petroleum-free jelly.
  9. Rub a bit of petroleum-free jelly around your hairline when applying hair dye.
  10. If you have a squeaky hinge, dab some petroleum-free jelly on it.
  11. Use a tiny dab on your shoes and bags for instant shine.
  12. Lengthen the life of perfume by first applying a bit of petroleum-free jelly to your skin.
  13. Rub petroleum-free jelly on the neck of your nail polish bottles and they won’t get stuck to the caps.
  14. Use a touch of petroleum-free jelly mixed with powder eyeshadow pigment to make new colors.
  15. Jelly Eye Shadow

  16. Rub a bit of petroleum-free jelly on your pets’ paws if they have cracked pads.
  17. Make your lotion last longer by mixing it with petroleum-free jelly.
  18. Remove chewing gum from hair by applying petroleum-free jelly. Rub it around until the gum eventually slides right out.
  19. Use petroleum-free jelly as a clear mascara (it will still give you volume).
  20. Make a flavoured lip gloss by combining petroleum-free jelly with a bit of powered Kool-aid.
  21. Mix with sugar or salt and use as an exfoliating scrub.
  22. Put a bit of petroleum-free jelly on your lips, scrub gently with a toothbrush and wipe clean.
  23. Massage into your cuticles to prevent drying.
  24. Jelly on Cuticles

  25. Apply petroleum-free jelly to your teeth before applying lipstick to prevent that lipstick from sticking to your teeth.

This jelly can be used to a ton of different things – it really is a fantastic, versatile product (and it’s really not that expensive, either!). Just steer clear of the petroleum-based stuff.

What do you use petroleum-free jelly for?

Comments

  1. Heather R

    I’m glad that I read this because I had no idea it was harmful. I mean obviously the title petroleum sounds bad but I never thought too much about it where as its so commonly used. I used Vaseline on my first born daughter and I’m currently using it on my second. No longer. Thank you for the alternative recipe!

  2. CMB

    I’m not sure how factual Dr. Oz’s statement is. You can read more about Petroleum jelly here:

    Fact: Refined USP Petroleum jelly is not the same as the “Petrolatum” defined by the Chemical Abstract System (CAS) definition found in the EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory. This CAS number (8009-03-8) applies to an unrefined, heavy, waxy petrolatum material. In fact, United States Pharmacopeias (USP) white petroleum jelly is not a byproduct but is a refined and purified product of heavy waxes and paraffin oils. USP White Petroleum Jelly surpasses the safety standards set by the FDA for use in food and cosmetics products as well as for both the European Union (EU) and Japanese Pharmacopeia Chemical Codes.

    http://www.penreco.com/pdf/articles/NPRA2003_Pet_Regulations.pdf

  3. Em

    Like CMB, I think people should treat Dr Oz with a bit (a lot) more skepticism. He often makes claims that are just flat out false. I mean just in this paragraph: the idea that using petroleum-jelly-based lip balm is “the same as drinking gasoline” is just absurd. If he thinks petroleum jelly and gasoline are the same thing he should try putting petroleum jelly in his gas tank.

    They may be derived from the same source, but that doesn’t make them the same thing – the chemical structures have been altered significantly. The fact that petrochemicals can be turned into so many different compounds is exactly why they’re so valuable. Does he think nylon, resin, and plastic are all also the same as gasoline?

    I’m no fan of the oil and gas industry though. If people want a non-petroleum based alternative for whatever reason that’s perfectly fine, but there’s no need for Dr Oz to be so sensationalistic about it. The evidence for petroleum jelly causing cancer is slim-to-none: http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/10/08/does-petroleum-jelly-cause-cancer/

    (also on a slightly unrelated note, the petroleum-free jelly uses olive oil which is a type of oil that can go rancid (like most edible oils). It’s totally fine to use on your skin etc since you’d wash it off well before it ever went rancid. But it’s not a great idea to use it for household stuff like treating wood or door hinges since it’ll be sitting there for a long time. This is why wax balms for wooden countertops etc normally use mineral oil)

  4. Linda

    I have not really followed Dr. Oz, but my sister said he is a bit hard to take at times. I love this site for all the homemade recipes for products that we would normally buy! So far, I use the homemade porridge (oatmeal) recipe. I had a cat that loved Vaseline (and Vick’s!) but the two I have now don’t like it. It is good for hairballs.

    • Olivia

      Linda, I know people who let their cats lick olive oil from their fingers once in a while to take care of those hairballs. Butter is an alternative that works on eliminating those hairballs problem too.

  5. teachermum

    7 pounds? That sounds just a tad inflated LOL! Mind you, I don’t wear lipstick but always have my mint Blistex at hand…and my little container of Vaseline on my bedside table for the winter dry nose season…my 100g container should last me the 10 years and most I would sue 2 4g tubes of Blistex a year!

    I’m thinking burning kerosene lanterns indoors as in the olden days might have been more of a health risk, but I’m always paying attention to more healthful things. Thanks

  6. Erin

    Cool! Where have you buy beeswax? I wouldn’t even know where to get that. I’d love to try that out; my family has really dry skin.

    • Cassie Howard

      Try the Bulk Barn. 🙂

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