Pharma Grade Petroleum Jelly Definition
Petroleum Jelly is also known as Mineral Jelly or Petrolatum. Pharma Grade Petroleum Jelly is mostly used in emulsion form in cosmetics & pharmaceutical for the preparations of various creams, ointments, lotions etc. Commercial Petroleum Jelly is used in the manufacturing of lubricants & Grease. Petroleum Jelly of good quality is used in Vaseline manufacturing. It is also used as a moisturizer in good quality toilet soaps. It also finds its use as an anti-rusting agent for iron goods like blade, wire surgical instruments etc.
Petroleum jelly, petrolatum, white petrolatum, soft paraffin / paraffin wax or multihydrocarbon, is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons (with carbon numbers mainly higher than 25), originally promoted as a topical ointment for its healing properties.
Pharma Grade Petroleum Jelly Applications
- Used as an ointment base, protective dressing and soothing applications to skin.
- It is offer excellent barrier to moisture and thus prevents moisture loss from skin.
- Used in formulating various cosmetic and personal care preparations.
- Heal minor skin scrapes and burns
- Hair conditioners.
- Hand cleaners.
- Lip balms.
- Massage creams.
- Moisturizing lotions.
- Sun care products.
- Skin protecting ointments.
- Medicated ointments
While petroleum jelly has many benefits, it should be for external use only. Do not eat or insert petroleum jelly. Avoid using petroleum jelly for masturbation or as a vaginal lubricant. According to Reuters, a study of 141 women found that 17 percent used petroleum jelly internally and 40 percent of them tested positive for bacterial vaginosis.
Pharma Grade Petrolatum CHARACTERISTICS
Petroleum jelly is a mixture of hydrocarbons, having a melting point usually within a few degrees of human body temperature, approximately 37 °C (99 °F). It is flammable only when heated to liquid; then the fumes will light, not the liquid itself, so a wick material like leaves, bark, or small twigs is needed to ignite petroleum jelly.
Pharma Grade Petroleum Jelly (WHITE)
CHARACTERISTIC |
TEST METHOD |
REQUIREMENTS AS PER PHARMACPIA |
TYPICAL RESULTS |
Description |
Visual |
White, translucent, soft unctuous, retaining these characters on storage & when melted& allowed to cool without stirring; not more then slightly florescent by day light, even melted; odorless when rubbed on screen. |
Complies |
Colour |
IP 17/52 |
0.5 (Y) | 0.2Y |
Odour |
Organoleptic |
Nil |
Nil |
Color |
USP 31 |
Passes |
Passes |
Congealing Point |
ASTM D938 |
50°C to 60°C |
51°C |
Drop melting Point |
ASTM D127/USP 31 |
57-60 |
58.5 |
Acidity or Alkalinity |
USP 31 |
Neutral |
Complies |
Fixed oils, fats & resins |
USP 31 |
No ppt or oily matters is produced |
Passes |
Specific Gravity @ 25°C |
USP 31 |
0.860 to 0.890 | 0.867 |
Consistency @ 25°C |
USP 31 / ASTM D937 |
180-200 dmm |
185 |
Residue on ignition |
USP 31 |
Not more than 0.05% |
0.02% |
Organic acids |
USP 21 |
To pass |
Passes |
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons |
BP 2008 |
To Pass |
Passes |
Polynuclear Compounds |
FDA 21 CFR 172.880 |
To Pass |
Passes |
Kinematic Viscosity @ 99°C |
ASTM D445 |
9 – 12.5 |
10.5 |
Pharma Grade Petrolatum (Yellow)
CHARACTERISTIC |
SPECIFICATION |
RESULT |
Appearance |
Yellow trancelucent soft unctuous |
Conforms |
Drop point |
45-60℃ |
54℃ |
Cone penetration (0.1mm) |
130℃—230℃ |
146℃ |
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIE HYDROCARBONS (265—420nm) |
NOT MORE THAN 1.08 |
0.93 |
UV ABSORBANCE(290nm) |
NOT MORE THAN 0.5 |
0.15 |
SULPHATED ASH |
NOT MORE THAN 0.1% |
0.08% |
PH |
Conforms |
Conforms |
History of Petroleum Jelly
In the 19th century, oil workers applied some oil to their skin to treat wounds and burns. Robert Chesbrow discovered the petroleum jelly in 1872 and patented it under the Vaseline brand. The name Vaseline is derived from the German words “Wasser” meaning water and the Greek word “elaion” meaning olive oil.
Robert Chesbro, by sampling oil from oil extraction and extracting petroleum jelly from it, began producing Vaseline-branded health products until Unilever in the United States bought the rights to the brand in 1987 and began producing the products. Different and sold globally. It has been used around the world for more than 140 years.