Ingredient glossary / Occlusive
Petrolatum (petroleum jelly)
On the label: Petrolatum · Occlusive
What it is
A refined mineral jelly and the strongest occlusive in common use; an FDA skin protectant. Cosmetic grade is highly refined.
Occlusives: Occlusives sit on the surface and slow water loss; petrolatum and waxes are the strongest.
Wikidata: Chemical substance used as lubricating agent. Q457239 →
In the research
939 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- Postoperative Wound Care in Mohs Micrographic Surgery: Tradition, Variation, and the Evidence · International journal of dermatology, 2026
- Replacing Emulsifiers with Gelation: A Surfactant-Free Approach to Emulgel Formulation Using Polyvinyl Alcohol · Journal of oleo science, 2026
- Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Dermatologic Surgery. Part 1: Indications, Guidelines, and Special Populations · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2026
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Products whose label lists it
1 on the siteMatched from the ingredient list the supplier printed; the position in the list (first or thirtieth) is on each product page.
Other occlusives
Dew & Balm describes ingredients from the public record and makes no claim about what a product will do for you. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If a product causes a reaction, stop using it; a reaction that spreads or affects breathing is a call to a doctor or 911.