Petrolatum 40.2% ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a heavy occlusive emollient and barrier agent that reduces transepidermal water loss and helps protect compromised skin. At 40.2%, it functions as a major protective base rather than a minor texture additive.
What does Petrolatum 40.2% do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a heavy occlusive emollient and barrier agent that reduces transepidermal water loss and helps protect compromised skin. At 40.2%, it functions as a major protective base rather than a minor texture additive.
Is Petrolatum 40.2% clean?
Clean standards often flag this material for fossil origin and potential PAH residues if refining is incomplete. Cosmetic and pharmacopeial grades require high purification and documentation, and it is generally low-irritation and non-sensitizing.
Is Petrolatum 40.2% sustainable?
This material is made from refined fossil feedstocks, so it does not align with renewable-sourcing goals. It is poorly biodegradable and environmentally persistent compared with many plant-derived emollients.
Is Petrolatum 40.2% COSMOS-approved?
This material is not permitted in COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic formulas because it is a petrochemical hydrocarbon blend. Its Green Chemistry fit is weak due to nonrenewable sourcing and poor biodegradability, despite its low reactivity in finished products.
How does Petrolatum 40.2% work chemically?
The molecule profile is a semi-solid mixture of saturated hydrocarbons, mainly long-chain alkanes and cycloalkanes, with a broad carbon-number distribution. It is anhydrous, pH-independent, highly oxidation-stable, and commonly used from low single digits up to very high protective levels, with 40.2% sitting in the barrier-treatment range.
Last updated 2026-09-01