One of the most widely used products in skin care products is petrolatum, also known as petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly works by coating the skin and preventing moisture loss; it is not itself a moisturizer. Because it is a by-product of the oil industry, I prefer to use alternatives to petroleum jelly to soften my skin.
Is Petroleum Jelly Toxic?
As I said in a previous post on alternatives to petroleum jelly:
The Environmental Working Group rates Vaseline brand as a 1, which is low on the toxicity scale. Generic petroleum jelly gets a 4, which is cause for concern. The problem is that petroleum jelly is often contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS). And that scores a whopping 9 because of its potential to cause cancer, and its ability to bioaccumulate in wildlife and humans.
In that same article, I mentioned several oils, butters, or animal products that make really good alternatives to petroleum jelly. But none of them have the same texture as petroleum jelly, so I’ve come up with a way to make a product of my own that comes pretty close.
And the best part of all? It is made with only two ingredients!
An Alternative to Petroleum Jelly with Only Two Ingredients
My recipe simply uses olive oil and beeswax, two products I always have on hand. Feel free to try other oils. I like olive oil because it does not easily go rancid, and it’s been considered healing to the skin since ancient times. And it is soothing, cleansing, and moisturizing.
An oil which has been infused with healing herbs would be wonderful to use as well, although it would likely change the color of the final product. Or add a few drops of your favorite essential oil if desired.
An easy way to make a double-boiler is to use a mason jar, canning rings and a saucepan. Place 3 canning rings in the bottom of the saucepan. The mason jar sits on top of the rings. Add enough water to the pan to cover the rings and allow the jar to sit in water.
Be sure to also visit my post Natural Home Remedies for Your Medicine Cabinet.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin organic olive oil
- 2 tablespoons grated beeswax or pellets
Instructions
- Create a double boiler using an 8 ounce mason jar, 3 canning rings and a saucepan. Place the rings on the bottom of the pan, and add about 2" of water. Place on low heat.
- Place the olive oil (or herb infused oil) and the beeswax into the mason jar and stand on the canning rings which are in the bottom of the pan. Heat on low until the beeswax has melted, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add essential oils if desired. Stir well.
- Pour into a 4 ounce jar, and allow to cool. Use as you would petroleum jelly.
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Deb says
I wonder if coconut oil would work too…
Bonnie Bray says
I’ve successfully used coconut oil and beeswax to make a skin lotion and a wood sealer (for salad bowls, cutting boards, etc).
Susan Vinskofski says
Good to know!
Dana D says
I use coconut oil and lemon eo to clean and condition my wood items in my home. What ratio coconut to beeswax do you find works best
Susan Vinskofski says
I haven’t tried it, and I wondered about the texture because it so affected by temperature, but another commenter says that she uses it with success.
sue jasmin says
I have made similar salve and added plantain to it. Thanks
Susan Vinskofski says
Same here, and that is what I generally use as my everyday “alternative to petroleum jelly”.
Norlyna says
Hello, how long can I keep it?. Thanks.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Norlyna! A very long time! I know that’s pretty generic, but since neither ingredient is prone to go rancid, it really does last.
James says
Olive oil is very prone to get easily rancid thats why it comes in metal boxes (light oxides it rapidly). Fractioned coconut oil has the longest shelf life, 2-3 years, compared to 6 months (olive oil). Its all easy to find online. Just google it from multiple sources.
leatrice gulbransen says
This is great ! I want everything to take so few ingredients. So simple and better for you. Thanks~~~
Summer says
I would love to try this! It looks easy- thank for the tutorial ?
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
Camilla Baker says
I was away at an ashram and my sister was using something like this, thank you I am going to try your recipe!
Marlene says
Where do you buy bees wax?
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks for stopping by, Marlene. You can buy it here: http://amzn.to/2dIYtLT.
kelly says
I cannot find beeswax. What else can I use?
Susan Vinskofski says
Carnauba wax is the only alternative that I know but that would be even harder to find locally. Beeswax is available here: http://amzn.to/2gUX5bt.
Leah says
Oh wow! Where in the world can I get a cute jar like the one you used?
I just stumbled on your site and have enjoyed myself thus far. Another wax alternative is candellia wax which is vegan but not as hard as carnauba wax. I have used it for my lip balms and deoderants successfully. I bought it on Amazon.
Leah says
Sorry, it is candelilla wax, just in case.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Leah, the jar was given to me a while back so I’m not sure of its source. I’m so sorry. Thanks so much for stopping by!!!
Lauri says
Will avocado oil or sweet almond oil work as good as olive oil?
Susan Vinskofski says
Yes, Lauri, either of those oils will work just as well. Thanks for stopping by!
Lauri says
Thanks for the quick reply:)
Lauri
Emma says
can the same be used for commercial production.
thanks
Susan Vinskofski says
I’m afraid that I have no experience in commercial production, Emma. Best of luck to you.
Kristen says
Every new thing I find here I love! This is so great. I was just wondering about an alternative a couple days ago. I rarely use petroleum jelly, but it’s what I use to take off my eye makeup. I hardly ever wear it, but I did the other day & I was annoyed that I was still using it…then this popped up in my email. I love finding things here & how simple they are…thanks for doing the hard part of figuring it all out!
Susan Vinskofski says
You’re so sweet; thank you!!!
Rachel Castlen says
Great ideas! Would Shea butter work in place of bee’s wax?
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Rachel, shea butter does have some thickening qualities, but I don’t think it would be enough to thicken the olive oil. Either bayberry or candelilla wax would be better substitutes for the beeswax. 🙂
Julia Dallaire says
Hello, great site!
Can grape seed oil work with any of these recipes?
Julia
Chateauguay, QC
Susan Vinskofski says
While I’ve not made this recipe with grape seed oil, yes, I’m sure it can replace the olive oil with no problems.
Katharine Gratton says
Can you tell me what the shelf life of this alternative to vaseline is please?
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Katharine, the skin care product will last at least 6 months unrefrigerated, and up to 2 years in the refrigerator. See this post for information on adding a preservative: https://learningandyearning.com/violet-infused-aloe-soothing-gel/.