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Ingredient · Personal Care Active

White Petrolatum (USP)

Cleaner · 7/10, higher is cleaner

How we reached this

USP-grade refined petrolatum; FDA OTC skin-protectant active. Unrefined cosmetic-grade petrolatum can contain PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) contamination — refined USP grade meets the higher PAH-free purity spec. Aquaphor + CeraVe + Vaseline use refined grade. Rated 7 (not 9) because cosmetic-grade petrolatum without USP/EU pharma-grade purity carries the PAH-contamination concern.

Sources · 3

  • FDA OTC Monograph: Skin Protectants
  • EWG Skin Deep — Petrolatum
  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II — Petrolatum (refinement specification required)

Also listed as

petrolatum USPpetroleum jellyvaselinewhite petrolatum

Products containing this · 5

About this rating

Ratings run 1–10, higher is cleaner, and are set editorially against the sources above — see the methodology page for how an ingredient rating becomes part of a product score. Last reviewed 2026-05-24.