Updated on August 25, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 0 ingredients in common
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly 1 ingredient
Topicrem AD Emollient Balm 23 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly 1 ingredient
Topicrem AD Emollient Balm 23 ingredients
Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 6 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Ingredients Side-by-side
Petrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
2 Concerns
Paraffinum Liquidum is also known as liquid paraffin. It is a type of highly refined mineral oil.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Isopropyl isodecanoate is a lipid created from isopropyl alcohol and isostearic acid.
2 Concerns
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Oil 2 Concerns
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil is the expressed oil from the dried ripe seed of the Linseed, Linum usitatissimum L., Linaceae
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
Peg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Cera alba is beeswax, or the wax used by bees to make honeycombs. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient. A study from 2003 found beeswax to be a stronger emollient than ingredients such as petroleum jelly.
Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid found in our skin. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It is a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Glyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut.
We don't have a description for Sodium Acrylate/Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Dimethylacrylamide Crosspolymer.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Antioxidant 4 Benefits May cause irritation
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Isohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
Helps hydrate Dry Skin 2 Concerns
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Water, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Isopropyl Isostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Cera Alba, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Acrylate/Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Dimethylacrylamide Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
When to use
Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly 1 ingredient
Topicrem AD Emollient Balm 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly 1 ingredient
BrodyTosi
Petroleum Jelly is one product I believe is quite underrated in the general skincare community due to hasty generalizations about its safety....
Petroleum Jelly is one product I believe is quite underrated in the general skincare community due to hasty generalizations about its safety. Petroleum jelly is composed of mineral oils and waxes (i.e., paraffin wax) which can be generalized as mostly long-chain hydrocarbons that act as a hydrophobic (water repellent) occlusive to the skin. Occlusive ingredients such as petroleum jelly are very effective for preventing transepidermal water loss because they act as a physical layer to trap water along with natural moisturizing factors inside the skin while also temporarily protecting the skin against environmental aggressors. This mechanism can additionally be attributed to the overall efficacy of topical antibiotics like neomycin or polymyxin B as cut/burn treatments. When it comes to who should or shouldn't be using this product, my philosophy is that occlusive ingredients keep what is inside the skin, inside the skin. For skin types that are inherently at a hormonal imbalance or by other means overproducing sebum, this could indirectly lead to increased incidence of clogged sebaceous glands and subsequently acne. Another consideration is purity of the petroleum jelly used on the skin. I would personally stick to brands like Vaseline that have more stringent quality control measures, only because if petroleum jelly isn't fully refined this runs a minimal risk of carcinogenic contamination (the FDA monitors this as well, and honestly I would call this a minimal consideration with current carcinogenic research). As for who should use this product: dry skin, chapped skin, cracked skin, most skin types during the winter and/or in cold or arid climates. There is a vast amount of indications for using petroleum jelly that can likewise vastly benefit skin health. Aforementioned indications aside, my top two recommendations would be on skin in individuals taking oral isotretinoin (Accutane) and on skin that products running irritation and/or dryness risks are subsequently being applied to, specifically referencing topical retinoids (i.e., tazarotene, adapalene, tretinoin) and benzoyl peroxide. As always, do your own research (PubMed Central is a great start, or even Wikipedia!) and stay moisturized.
AngelinaAzar_599
love 💯
idk why this product is disliked because i love this product n highly recommend it. i have really sensitive skin but i also have acne and...
love 💯
idk why this product is disliked because i love this product n highly recommend it. i have really sensitive skin but i also have acne and whenever my skin gets stressed out from acne treatments i always go back to this product to calm down the dryness n redness. it’s great for slugging n to put around dry areas. i use it also around my eyes and it doesn’t t irritate me at all.
