Use of Canadian petrolatum

Petrolatum used in cosmetics and personal care products sold in Canada is also highly refined and must comply with all standards set by the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP), including the restriction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. petrolatum, as an active ingredient of over-the-counter drugs, should be subject to stricter supervision.

Is it possible to miss toxins during processing and testing? The company that produces petroleum products said no. Paul Hughes, technical manager of the petrolatum manufacturer Unilever Canada, said: "Our personal care products have been tested and meet all the safety and regulatory requirements set by Health Canada." "Some people only tell part of the story and create fear among consumers."

Can petrolatum heal skin?

Although some beauty companies are promoting the replacement of petrolatum, other manufacturers firmly believe in its moisturizing and healing ability. Calgary pharmacist Skip Gibson said that petrolatum can isolate skin from water and air, "it can make skin heal itself." He is the vice president of sales and marketing of George's Special Dry Skin Cream, which is a petrolatum based face cream, and he helped develop it.

"Petrolatum is the most effective moisturizing cream at present," said Dr. Richard Thomas, a dermatologist in Vancouver. "The reduction of water loss makes it easier for the epidermis to continue its normal function."

Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, a dermatologist and dermatologist in Toronto, agreed with the efficacy of petrolatum. In her book Beyond Soap published in 2018, she wrote: "The research I have seen has proved the effectiveness of everything from ordinary petrolatum to sunflower seed oil." She listed a list of moisturizing creams recommended for infants and children, including Aveeno infant eczema treatment moisturizing cream, CeraVe moisturizing cream, etc. in addition to petrolatum petrolatum and sunflower seed oil.

However, the efficacy of petrolatum has a potential disadvantage. A study published in Pediatrics in 2000 found that very low birth weight infants treated with petrolatum were more likely to develop systemic candidiasis; It creates a warm and humid environment for the growth of fungi. "Sometimes you want your skin to breathe more," said Celeste Lutario, vice president of research and development at Burt's Bees. The company does not use petroleum gas in its products. She said that petroleum fat is a closed barrier to lock water, but it does not allow water to be absorbed from the atmosphere. For example, lipstick containing petrolatum and other petrochemicals may not be as moisturizing as lipstick containing emollients, Lutrio said.

Does it affect the environment?

Oil comes from crude oil, so it is not a renewable resource. Of course, the content of a can of petrolatum or a bottle of body lotion is far less than that of car fuel or using fac factory. Nevertheless, Health Canada is still investigating the environmental impact of petrolatum in cosmetics.

Concern about the earth and its resources is another reason why some companies use coconut oil, sunflower oil and olive oil in their product formulations. But these oils also have an impact on the environment: they come from farmland and may replace food crops.

Petrolatum substitutes in cosmetics are more expensive and more difficult to prepare. At present, petroleum oil is cheap, rich in reserves, and generally safe, and it is easy to mix in the laboratory to produce products we use every day - it will not disappear soon.