Let’s talk about a product that’s sure to be a staple found in most American households…Vaseline! It’s actually been around since 1872 (whoa) and was discovered by a chemist that found a waxy residue in oil rig pumps. At first, it probably seems like a harmless product. But honestly, I kinda cringe when I hear people say they use it! This post shines some light on the ingredients, why I recommend avoiding it, and the BEST cleaner alternatives to use instead!
This post contains affiliate links.
This Post Covers:
- Why I Avoid Vaseline and Petroleum Products
- Natural Occlusive Ingredients to Use Instead
- Common Ways to Use Vaseline-Like Products
- 5+ Organic Alternatives to Vaseline & Aquaphor
Why I Avoid Vaseline and Petroleum Products
Products such as Vaseline and Aquaphor use petroleum as the main ingredient (you might also see it called petrolatum, mineral oil, or paraffin on a label). It’s meant to be occlusive and act as a barrier on your skin. According to Stacked Skincare:
“Occlusive agents are generally made up of large molecules that are unable to penetrate the skin. Rather than sinking into the skin, they sit right on the surface, acting like a protective layer. Because they repel water, occlusives actually prevent the water that’s in your skin from evaporating and escaping into the air, strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier.”
This is also why Vaseline-like products are often used on cuts and wounds because they help block irritants from passing through. And also why “slugging” aka slathering Vaseline on your face has become a viral TikTok trend (more info about slugging below!)
The Many Problems with Petroleum Products:
- Derived from crude oil 🛢
- A 2011 study concluded that they CANNOT be metabolized by the body; even the more pure and refined forms! This means they accumulate in our bodies over time and don’t get excreted.
- According to the Environmental Working Group, 22 percent of all petroleum-based cosmetics contain a carcinogenic impurity called 1,4 dioxane. A 2009 study actually discovered that mineral oil-based moisturizers increase the rate of tumor formation in mice! 🐭
- They are prevalent in tons of personal care products and are one of the largest contaminants in human tissues; they readily penetrate our skin.
- Although they form a shielding barrier, they don’t really offer any skincare benefits and hinder the skin’s natural respiration process (i.e your skin can’t breathe!)
- Petroleum-based products are classified as xenoestrogens and are known endocrine disruptors; a series of studies determined that they can lead to estrogen dominance!
Most clean beauty retailers and places such as Whole Foods ban petroleum/mineral oil ingredients and don’t allow it in products they sell!
Get the freebie: Top 25 Ingredients to Avoid in Cosmetics [Free Printable Pocket Guide]
Natural Occlusive Ingredients to Use Instead
The good news is there are plenty of ingredients that nature provides that function similarly! All while offering skincare benefits and breathable protection. Here are some common natural occlusives used in skin and body care products:
- Beeswax
- Candelilla wax
- Carnauba wax
- Castor seed oil
- Cocoa butter
- Jojoba oil (which is technically a liquid wax)
- Lanolin (wool wax)
- Mango butter
- Shea butter
- Squalane (usually derived from olive oil)
Common Ways to Use Vaseline-Like Products
The nice thing about these types of products is that they are versatile and can be used in a multitude of ways, such as:
- Dry skin
- Chapped lips
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Diaper rash
- Anti-chafe and blister prevention
- Minor scrapes and burns
- Beard and mustache care
- After tattoo care
- Soften pet paws or hot spots
Related post: “Six Tips to Combat Dry Skin (with All Natural Products)”
Organic Alternatives to Vaseline & Aquaphor
Waxelene Multi-Purpose Ointment (⭐️ Becca’s Favorite!)
$12-$50 (multiple sizes available) • Contains beeswax
There are literally DOZENS of ways you can use Waxelene and it’s one of the closest textures to Vaseline I’ve come across! It even slightly smells like Vaseline and gives me major flashbacks. It’s four simple ingredients: organic beeswax, soy oil, rosemary oil, and Vitamin E. It uses a patented aeration process that infuses air particles into the ointment so pores don’t get clogged and skin can absorb air (which it needs in order to heal and release toxins).
(If you’re concerned about the soy, please note that Waxelene uses organic and non-GMO soy OIL which does not contain phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are found in the soy proteins, not the oil.)
I mostly find myself using this for chapped lips, cracked hands and feet, cuticles, itchy skin or cuts, and also on my dog’s paws in the winter 🐾 It’s truly so awesome and I feel like the jar lasts forever! Waxelene also has single lip tubes if you want one to pop in a purse.
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Also available here on Amazon.
Cocokind Ceramide Recovery Balm (new!)
$22 • Vegan (No beeswax)
Cocokind has reformulated its “One for All Balm” and it’s now the Ceramide Recovery Balm! It has a more advanced formula with the addition of ceramides, is less greasy, and is easier to squeeze out of the tube. They also removed the coconut oil so it can be used for nighttime slugging! It’s not very waxy and melts down easily.
Plus, if you want to avoid beeswax, this is for you. It uses a plant-based beeswax alternative (polyhydroxystearic acid). It’s also made with ceramides (for healthy skin barrier function), squalane (prevents moisture loss), and oat kernel oil (to soothe and replenish). There are NO essential oils in the formula and it’s unscented.
If you’re looking for a vegan and more budget-friendly option, check this out!
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Also available here on Amazon.
CV Skinlabs Restorative Balm
$26 • Contains beeswax and lanolin
This salve has organic castor seed oil, carnauba wax, beeswax, lanolin, shea butter, and candelilla wax. It doesn’t have much of a smell. It’s more of a light jelly consistency instead of a thick, waxy balm; I appreciate that it doesn’t feel heavy or leave behind a greasy feeling. I do wish the tube were bigger (it’s only 0.5 oz), but I find that I don’t need much to get the job done! And it’s a cute little purse-friendly travel size.
Also available here at Credo or The Detox Market.
Erin’s Faces Tamanu Balm Barrier Salve
$40 • Contains beeswax
This balm uses only three ingredients: organic tamanu oil, organic safflower seed oil, and locally sourced beeswax. Tamanu is surely the all-star ingredient here and has been shown to contain wound-healing properties. It is a nut, so the salve has a bit of an earthy, nutty scent.
This balm is rich and luscious! If you live somewhere cold, you’ll need to mix it up or warm some on your hand first. But it melts down and is not as waxy as some of the others in the post. So nice! And the green color is so pretty.
Want to sample it? You can buy a $3 sample of the balm.
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Maya Chia Supercritical Waterless Wonder Balm
$42 • Contains beeswax
This is definitely a luxe splurge! It’s formulated with organic shea butter, supercritical chia oil, and beeswax. Supercritical is an extraction method that uses CO2 and produces an extremely pure oil, and chia seeds are already rich in fatty acids and deeply moisturizing. This balm is thicker and kind of waxy, especially in colder temperatures. But once you mix it up, it applies smoothly and seamlessly and has a frosting-like texture. I LOVE the uplifting orange blossom essential oil scent that it has; you can almost use it as a light perfume!
Shop Maya Chia Wonder Balm Here
Also available here at Credo or The Detox Market.
Related post: “A Look Inside My Holistic Medicine Cabinet: My Go-To Natural Remedies”
From top to bottom: Waxelene, Maya Chia, Cocokind (previous formula), CV SkinlabsNatural Occlusives to Use For Slugging
As I mentioned above, there is a K-beauty trend you might have heard of called slugging. It involves slathering your face with Vaseline before bed to make a thick barrier that traps hydration and helps with dry skin overnight.
Most of the natural alternatives to Vaseline that I mentioned previously are most suitable for the body, lips, and smaller spots on the face, but might be too heavy to use on the ENTIRE face (especially if you have blemish-prone skin). It’s hard to say for sure what your skin can handle because we’re all different! My top recommendation from above for facial use would be the Cocokind Ceramide Balm!
If you’re interested in trying slugging and don’t really need a Vaseline-type product for your body, I suggest a balm that’s made specifically for facial use such as the Leahlani Bless Beauty Balm. It’s a thicker balm that is deeply moisturizing and can help seal in hydration but shouldn’t clog pores. It smells heavenly too!
Other Non-Toxic Barrier Options:
Although the products above are pretty rock-solid options, here are a couple more Vaseline alternatives on the market that might interest you!
Alba Botanica Un-Petroleum Jelly: I haven’t tried this one myself but it’s a cheap option with castor seed oil and beeswax; it looks promising! [$8.50]
All Good Goop Organic Ointment: Gooooooop! This contains organic olive oil, beeswax, and calendula in a glass jar [$24]
First Honey Sterile Manuka Honey Ointment: So, honey is a humectant and works differently than the occlusives in this post. But I wanted to mention it because manuka in particular can be used for wounds, cuts, burns, etc. It’s basically a swap for Neosporin but has no petroleum or neomycin (an antibiotic). It’s medical-grade and naturally antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. Make sure to put a bandage over it so the honey doesn’t leak out! You can use code BECCA for a discount on your first order. [$13] Also available here on Amazon.
One Love Organics Skin Savior Multitasking Wonder Balm: Made with organic coconut oil, beeswax, jojoba, orange peel wax, and mango butter. It’s waxy but melts down to an oil and can also be used as a makeup-removing cleanser; it’s a citrusy vanilla treat! [$49]
Zoe Organics Skin Balm: This balm comes in a precious metal tin and is a concentrated formula; a little goes a long way! You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount on this at Love Peace Organic. [$18]
If you’re a diehard Vaseline user, I encourage you to swap it out! There is certainly no shortage of safe, natural options out there that are equally as effective. Let me know in the comments if you have other alternatives that you love or any questions!
This is very helpful information, thank you! Special thanks for the list of products.
And as for oils, are they suitable for acne skin?
It’s hard to say for sure because everyone breaks out for different reasons/ingredients! I’d say the Cocokind one might not work for acne-prone skin since it’s high in coconut oil. My first pick for that would be the Waxelene.
This is a great blog post, Becca! Love the clear images!
Thanks, Catherine! 🙂
Thanks! Would any of these be a good option as a skin barrier for swimming in chlorinated pools?
Hmm good question! I’m not entirely sure actually, have never tried any of them for that. I would *think* using this type of product would help a little bit but idk for sure. Wish I could help more!
Very helpful and informative. Thank you!