Is Vaseline® Jelly Flammable? (2024)

FAQs

Is Vaseline® Jelly Flammable? ›

However, in the way it's designed to be used and stored, Vaseline® Jelly is not flammable. When heated to extremely high temperatures of more than 400 degrees Fahrenheit, Vaseline® Jelly may give off flammable vapors. Even in summer, this isn't going to happen naturally.

Petroleum Jelly Flammability

Petroleum jelly isn't flammable unless at an extremely high temperature greater than 200 °C. Petroleum jelly creates flammable vapors at its flash point (185 °C–210 °C by the open cup method).

Petrol is a highly flammable liquid and designated as a dangerous substance. At room temperature its vapours are heavier than air. The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) is a concentration of 1.3%.

Vaseline is essentially oil, which burns quite happily for minutes on end.

Petroleum Jelly Melting Point

Petroleum jelly is semi-solid at room temperature and has a relatively low melting point. It typically ranges between 37 °C and 40 °C (98.6 and 104 °F), which is around the average human body temperature.

Vaseline® Jelly is triple-purified and is safe to add to your daily routine. Whatever your skin type may be, Vaseline® Jelly helps skin to stay healthy-looking and moisturized. So, if you've ever asked, “Is Vaseline® Jelly safe to use on skin?” the answer is yes.

People with acne or sensitive skin should avoid using petroleum jelly on acne-prone areas, such as the face. It is flammable, so people should avoid using it near fires, when smoking, or near other open flames.

Petroleum jelly is made from a blend of natural waxes and mineral oils. People often refer in general to petroleum jelly as “Vaseline®”, but the real Vaseline® petroleum jelly is different. The real Vaseline® petroleum jelly is triple purified to remove impurities. It is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin.

The Vaseline label clearly states that this product is intended for minor burns and, indeed, our research has proved that the product supports the healthy healing of minor burns as it protects the damaged area from bacteria while not interfering with the healing process (see bmj.com for evidence).

Yes, it's a hydrocarbon-based product. Hydrocarbons are the primary component of petroleum and natural gas. Manufacturers make petroleum jelly from the leftover petroleum material from oil and gas production.

Which is better, white or yellow petroleum jelly? ›

Generally, white petroleum jelly is used in medicinal and cosmetic applications. The yellow petroleum jelly is less refined than the white petroleum jelly and may contain some impurities. It is commonly used in industrial applications.

The history of Vaseline® Jelly starts in 1859, when Robert Chesebrough travelled to Titusville, a small town in Pennsylvania. That's where oil workers had been using rod wax, an unrefined form of petroleum jelly – then just a simple by-product of the drilling they were working on – to heal wounded or burnt skin.

While Vaseline doesn't have a specific expiration date, it typically comes with a “best before” or “best by” date on its packaging. This date is an indication of when the product may begin to lose its efficacy or quality. Generally, Vaseline's shelf life is about three years when stored under proper conditions.

Petroleum jelly burns at about 160 degrees Fahrenheit because of the long hydrocarbons it contains, so technically, it doesn't light on a regular match or alcohol fire. Additionally, solid jelly needs to dissolve before burning; it does not burn properly when solid.

In addition to being occlusive, it is non-sterile, promotes bacterial proliferation on the surface of the wound, and may lead to infection.

: No specific fire or explosion hazard.