The Top 10 Best Non-Toxic Alternatives To Vaseline & Aquaphor
Replace your tub or Vaseline or Aquaphor with a non-toxic petroleum-free alternative. I’ve found 10 non-toxic brands of healing balm that are petroleum jelly free and also free from other harmful chemicals.
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Vaseline is a staple in most bathroom cabinets, and it’s used for a variety of beauty purposes and health ailments. I have not used Vaseline in years because there are some excellent Vaseline alternatives that work just as well without any negative health effects.
What is Vaseline?
Vaseline is a name brand of petroleum jelly, but there are many other brands out there, like Aquaphor, CeraVe and generic brands as well. You may see petroleum jelly listed as mineral oil, soft paraffin, liquid paraffin or paraffin oil on an ingredient list.
Some of the most common uses for Vaseline include applying to dry skin spots, chapped lips, minor wounds, tattoo aftercare, diaper rash, eczema rashes, skin chafing, cuticles, makeup remover and more.
How Is Petroleum Jelly Produced?
Petroleum jelly starts out as crude oil, which is extracted from underground reservoirs through drilling. The crude oil undergoes refining processes to separate it into different components based on their molecular weights and properties.
One of the refining processes involves distillation, where crude oil is heated to separate it into fractions with different boiling points. The fraction that contains the appropriate hydrocarbons for petroleum jelly is then treated to remove undesirable components, and then undergoes additional processing steps to create petroleum jelly.
Reasons Not To Use Vaseline
- Petroleum jelly forms a thick, occlusive barrier on the skin, and this creates a non-breathable layer. Prolonged use can lead to clogged pores, which may contribute to skin issues like acne, folliculitis or candidiasis.
- Petroleum jelly doesn’t contain additional nutrients or active ingredients like antioxidants and healthy oils that promote skin health.
- The production and use of petroleum-based products like Vaseline can have environmental impacts. In addition, petrolatum is not a renewable resource, so it’s not a sustainable ingredient.
- The production of petroleum jelly involves refining crude oil. While it undergoes a purification process, there is a possibility that it may contain trace amounts of contaminants, specifically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 1,4-dioxane.
Are There Any Negative Health Effects Associated with Petroleum Jelly?
Yes. If petrolatum, aka petroleum jelly, is not properly refined, it may be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs have been linked to cancer and are also considered endocrine disruptors. The European Union put numerous grades of petrolatum on a list of dangerous substances, and cosmetics and skincare in the European Union can only contain highly refined petrolatum.
The United States does not require full refining history of petrolatum for use in personal care products, nor does it require listing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels, so there is no way for the consumer to know if a petroleum jelly product is contaminated.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) assessed 15,000 personal care products and cosmetics for 1,4-dioxane, and 22% were found to be contaminated. 1,4-dioxane can cause upper respiratory issues and is carcinogenic.
One study in the journal Pediatrics found that very low weight infants developed candidiasis in areas where petroleum jelly was applied. Petroleum jelly is an occlusive that sits on the top layer of skin. In this case, the petroleum jelly created a warm, moist environment for fungi to grow.
A 2022 study indicated that exposure to PAHs when pregnant can have serious negative implications on placental cells.
What Natural Ingredients Are Comparable To Petroleum Jelly
Shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, grass-fed beef tallow, olive oil, castor seed oil, jojoba oil, mango butter, cocoa butter
What Balms I’ve Tried & Liked
I’ve tried 4 of the brands below- Honest, Alba Botanica, Waxelene and Doctor Rogers. They are all great alternatives to Vaseline and Aquaphor. I personally find that Doctor Rogers Healing Balm was the most impressive at soothing very dry lips. I love that Honest Healing Head-To-Toe Ointment is affordable and also has mostly organic ingredients. There are also some brands below targeted towards babies, but they also work great for the whole family. If you’re looking strictly for a healing lip balm, Kinfield Lip Rescue works well and has a minty flavor. I have more favorite lip balm brands here.
The Best Alternatives To Vaseline & Aquaphor
If you’re considering a Vaseline or Aquaphor alternative, I’ve found 10 brands below that don’t contain petroleum jelly or any other harmful ingredients like phthalates, parabens and synthetic fragrance. If you are looking strictly for vegan balm (no beeswax or grass-fed beef tallow), I’ve listed whether the product is vegan as a quick reference.
Earth Mama
Earth Mama Organic Nose & Cheek Balm
Cost: $9.99 for 2 oz ($5.00 per ounce)
From the Earth mama website: Earth Mama’s Organic Baby Face Nose & Cheek Balm is a calendula coconut balm formulated for safely comforting and moisturizing chapped, dry skin on babies through big kids, and everyone in the family. This certified organic cruelty-free alternative to petroleum jelly is made without petroleum, parabens, artificial fragrance or synthetic preservatives. EWG Verified.
Is This Vegan: No, it contains beeswax
Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Beeswax*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract* *Organic
Shop: Earth Mama Organic Nose & Cheek Balm
Honest
Honest Healing Head-To-Toe Ointment
Cost: $14.97 for 5 oz ($2.99 per ounce)
From the Honest website: This multi-purpose, gentle healing ointment is formulated with vegan ingredients. This hypoallergenic formula glides on easily, helps prevent chapped or cracked skin and lips, temporarily protecting minor burns, cuts and scrapes, and soothes irritated skin. National Eczema Association Seal of Approval.
Is This Vegan: No, it contains beeswax
Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Beeswax (Cera Alba)*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil *, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Oil*, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Squalane, Citric Acid *Certified Organic Ingredient
Shop: Honest Healing Head-To-Toe Ointment
Waxelene
Waxelene Organic Multi-Purpose Ointment
Cost: $29.99 for 5 oz ($6.00 per ounce)
From the Waxelene website: an organic aerated balm designed to hydrate, soothe, and nurture your skin from head to toe. Specially formulated to moisturize dry and sensitive skin while providing a breathable water-proof barrier that allows cuts, rashes and irritations to heal naturally. Safe for infants and children.
Is This Vegan: No, it contains beeswax
Ingredients: Organic Beeswax, Organic Soy Oil, Organic Rosemary Oil, Natural Vitamin E Oil
Shop: Waxelene Organic Multi-Purpose Ointment
Pipette
Pipette Baby Balm
Cost: $16.98 for 2 oz (8.49 per ounce)
From the Pipette website:. This multipurpose balm is the ultimate in hydration, calming and nourishing even the most sensitive, dry baby skin. It’s fragrance-free balm and has countless uses for babies, from diaper area skin calmer to ultra-hydrating ointment for dry spots. EWG Verified.
Is This Vegan: Yes, it is vegan
Ingredients: Squalane, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, Jojoba Esters, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Sterols, Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Shop: Pipette Baby Balm
Alba Botanica
Alba Botanica Un-Petroleum Jelly
Cost: $7.99 for 3.5 oz ($2.28 per ounce)
From the Alba Botanica website: Moisturizes and protects skin without the use of petroleum. Made with a plant-based blend of botanical ingredients like sunflower seed oil and beeswax. 100% vegetarian formula made without harsh ingredients like parabens, phthalates or synthetic fragrances.
Is This Vegan: No, it contains beeswax
Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Beeswax/Cera Alba, Tocopheryl Acetate. *Certified organic ingredient.
Shop: Alba Botanica Un-Petroleum Jelly
Kiss Kiss Goodnight
Kiss Kiss Goodnight Protective Balm
Cost: $28 for 1.5 oz ($18.67 per ounce)
From the Kiss Kiss Goodnight website: Kiss Kiss Goodnight’s Peace of Mind Protective Balm calms sensitive skin while protecting the skin barrier and supporting the skin microbiome. This plant-based formula contains Amazonian ingredients like pracaxi oil which has been clinically tested to help renew damaged skin. Because the balm is titanium dioxide-free/zinc oxide-free, it is versatile and it can be used on other parts of the body to lock in moisture.
Is This Vegan: Yes, it is vegan
Ingredients: Pentaclethra Macroloba (Pracaxi) Seed Oil*, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera (Berry Wax), Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuacu) Butter*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Citrullus Lanatus (Melon) Seed Oil*, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Oil*, Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla)*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract* *Certified Organic/Wildcrafted
Shop: Kiss Kiss Goodnight Protective Balm
Typology
Typology Lipid Replenishing Balm
Cost: $26.50 for 4.39 oz ($6.04 per ounce)
From the typology website: This balm provides 24-hour continuous hydration, reduces feelings of discomfort (itchiness, tightness), and spaces out episodes of severe dryness. It’s suitable for the whole family, including newborns. Formulated for dry to very dry and atopic skin. 99% naturally derived.
Is This Vegan: Yes, it is vegan
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Glucose, Sorbitan Olivate, Methylheptyl Glycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Carrageenan, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Ceramide Np, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride.
Shop: Typology Lipid Replenishing Balm
Doctor Rogers
Doctor Rogers Healing Balm
Cost: $8 for 1.7 oz ($4.71 per ounce)
From the Doctor Rogers website: For injured and irritated skin of all types, Restore Healing Balm is the answer. Created to heal sensitive post-procedural skin, this balm is just as effective at repairing and protecting cuts, burns, irritated, dry or chapped skin. Multiple sizes to go everywhere with you, this versatile balm is a true must-have. It works wonders on eczema, too.
Is This Vegan: Yes, it is vegan
Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Shop: Doctor Rogers Healing Balm
Toups & Co.
Toups & Co. Baby Balm
Cost: $32 for 2 oz ($16 per ounce)
From the Toups & Co website: This nourishing baby tallow balm safely moisturizes and protects your baby’s skin. We use organic ingredients like grass-fed tallow and organic cold pressed olive oil , chamomile and yarrow to soothe and moisturize the most sensitive skin.
Is This Vegan: No, it contains tallow
Ingredients: 100% grass fed tallow, organic virgin olive oil, organic essential oils of german chamomile and blue yarrow.
Shop: Toups & Co. Baby Balm
Primally Pure
Primally Pure Everything Balm
Cost: $28 for 1 oz ($28 per ounce)
From the Primally Pure website: The nutrient-dense, bioavailable ingredients are infused with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory botanicals that melt into the skin to work synergistically to restore skin barrier function for lasting hydration and skin healing at a cellular level. This balm is perfect for dryness to dermatitis and everything in between.
Is This Vegan: No, it contains tallow, beeswax and emu oil
Ingredients: Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows*, Extra Virgin Olive Oil*, Pure Emu Oil*, Beeswax*, Marshmallow Root*, Calendula Flower*, Essential Oils of Lavender and Tea Tree, Rosemary Extract* and Non-GMO Vitamin E
Shop: Primally Pure Everything Balm
More Non-Toxic Skincare Inspiration
