Petrolatum

Petrolatum molecular structure

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Petrolatum?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Petrolatum is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

Safe for most school‑age kids when you pick a high‑purity, fully refined petroleum jelly and use it on healthy skin.

What to Do

Choose products labeled white petrolatum and preferably marked USP or PhEur (these signal higher purity). Use a thin layer on dry or irritated spots and lips. Keep it on intact skin, and use only as needed. If your child has very sensitive skin, try a small patch test first.

⚠️Warnings

Impurity risk: Use only fully refined versions because crude oil impurities can be present if not well purified (source: EU Cosmetics rules on restricted use unless refinement is proven). Health priority flags: Some agencies list mineral oils like this as a higher health priority and potentially harmful in certain forms (source: Environment Canada). Build‑up concerns: Studies report some mineral oil components can accumulate in the body (sources: animal study on mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons, 2017; human tissue study, 2015). These concerns are reduced by choosing high‑purity products and using sparingly on intact skin.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Banned: In the EU, this ingredient is restricted unless it is very pure, because it can carry PAH leftovers from oil. This rule comes from the EU Cosmetics Directive.
Organ Risk: Canada’s environmental health agency lists it as expected to be harmful and a high health priority. With repeat use, it may stress organs like the liver.
Builds Up: Studies in people (2015) and in lab rats (2017) found mineral oil parts can collect in body tissues over time. Small daily amounts can add up.
Long-Term Risk: Because it can build up in the body and may carry PAH impurities, risks can grow with years of use. Purity limits in the EU were set to lower this risk.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Petrolatum

This ingredient may also be listed as:

white soft paraffinwhite petrolatumpetrolatumPETROLATUMYELLOW PETROLATUMPETROLATUM WHITEPETROLATUM AMBERMINERAL JELLYMINERAL GREASE (PETROLATUM)PETROLEUM JELLY

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Petrolatum

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Petrolatum or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Petrolatum

Is this kid-friendly to use Petrolatum?

Yes, Petrolatum is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the banned risks of Petrolatum for children?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.

What are the organ risk risks of Petrolatum for children?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use.

What are the builds up risks of Petrolatum for children?

Builds up in the body over time with repeated use.

What are the long-term risk risks of Petrolatum for children?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure.

What products contain Petrolatum?

Petrolatum is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with Petrolatum?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 5+ year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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