Petroleum Jelly: Good or bad?

Take a look in your medicine cabinet, and you're likely to find a jar of petroleum jelly. It's used for so many things, from baby's bottom to your chapped lips.

 But is your trusty petroleum jelly really a "cure-all"? More importantly, is it as harmless as you think? Here is an analysis by New York-based dermatologist Dr. Alan Dattner, founder of HolisticDermatology.com, and celebrity makeup artist Katey Denno.*

 

What Is Petroleum Jelly?

Petroleum jelly is a derivative of oil refining. Originally found coating the bottom of oil rigs in the mid-1800s, it's a byproduct of the oil industry and therefore an unsustainable resource (read: not eco-friendly). It's commonly used topically to cure everything from dehydrated, flakey skin to diaper rash.

 

Why Is It Potentially Harmful?

Though generally regarded as safe, the components that are removed from the oil during the refining process of petroleum jelly are carcinogenic in some cases. "Vaseline supposedly has all of these [components] removed," Dr. Dattner says. "But there are probably plenty of petroleum jelly imitators, and one doesn't always know the extent that they're removed." Denno also points out that, since petroleum jelly can be found in "different grades of purity," you don't always know how non-toxic your petroleum jelly-based beauty products really are. (For the record, Vaseline is highly-refined, triple-purified and regarded as non-carcinogenic.) As for your skin? Petroleum jelly can create the illusion of moisturized, hydrated skin, all the while suffocating your pores. It's water-repellant and not water-soluble, meaning it merely seals the barrier so that moisture does not leave the skin. So while you might feel the instant gratification of a softened surface, you're actually drying out your pores by keeping out air and moisture. What's more, the thick texture makes it difficult to cleanse from the skin, so never slather petroleum jelly on an unwashed face if you want to avoid breakouts. "It essentially seals in the dirt," says Denno. People suffering from skin conditions like acne and rosacea should stay away from petroleum jelly altogether, since such thick emollients can aggravate those conditions. Those who rub Vaseline on dry, cracked noses to get through a cold might want to think twice, too: If petroleum jelly gets into the lungs, it can cause lipid pneumonia. It won't happen if you apply it once in a while, but Dr. Dattner recommends not making a daily habit of it.

 

Why Do People Use It?

"It's an inexpensive way for a formulator to offer the appearance and immediate feel of hydrated skin," Denno says explaining why petroleum jelly crops up in our beauty products. As a mineral oil, it doesn't actually moisturize, but it does a good job at holding in moisture -- if you make sure to thoroughly wash and moisturize your skin before application, that is. When you wash your skin with soap, you destroy some of the barrier and remove natural oils, so petroleum jelly can help repair that barrier if used properly, Dr. Dattner says. "It’s like putting a piece of plastic over your skin -- it prevents evaporation," he explains. But everyone is different, so it's important to see how your skin reacts to Vaseline or any other petroleum jelly-based products before committing to a regimen.

 

What Can You Use Instead?

Don't think you have to forfeit the soothing feeling of petroleum jelly if you are trying to avoid its potentially harmful properties. If you're looking for a dewy moisturizer, just opt for more natural alternatives and check ingredients. Products containing beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter and cocoa butter seal in moisture and don't come with some of the risks of petroleum jelly. "Remember that some of these products are absorbed into the skin, so it's nice to use something that you wouldn't mind putting into your body," Dr. Dattner says.

 

Non Petroleum Jelly produced by Old Paths Wellness contains organic extra virgin olive oil which absorbs into the skin to moisturize and revitalize while the beeswax and vitamin E seals and protects it. Because our non petroleum jelly is made with all natural ingredients, it is safe for you and your child's skin. For those who use essential oils topically, it works as a carrier oil. Give it a try. You will not be disappointed. Another way we encourage "abundant living naturally".

 

*Excerpt from The Huffington Post article entitled, Petroleum Jelly May Not Be As Harmless As You Think by Rebecca Adams, October 23, 2013.

 

Renewing Your Mind

The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest
route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite
passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can
make a whole Christian."~ A.W. Tozer

What are you thinking about? Whatever it is, it is forming and shaping who you are. As Christians, our highest goal and aspiration is to bring glory to our glorious Savior! This is not a natural function of your Christian walk. Naturally, we are self involved and bent to follow our own thinking and ways. Scripture reminds us that our ways are not the ways of God (Isaiah 55:8) and as a quest to bring Him glory we must allow Him to change our mind about life and godliness.

                       Ephesians 4:21-24  …if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Often times we go through our day not recognizing that our minds are a battlefield. Our mind is naturally bent against the things of God, it takes action on our behalf to renew it! Satan uses our minds and thoughts to distract us from the things of God, bring on discouragement, to keep us walking in worldliness and sin.

      Romans 8:5-8  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

      Mark 7:21-23  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

      2Corinthians 10:4-5  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..

1. Identify what you are thinking and put it to the scriptural test according to Philippians 4:8.

            Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble (excellent and dignified), whatever things are just (upright), whatever things are pure (free from moral defilement), whatever things are lovely , whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue (moral strength and excellence) and if there is anything praiseworthy—*meditate* on these things.

2. There is only one thing that you can think on that always meets the requirements above, and that is scripture. The Word of God is precious and glorious and it IS how we know Him and how we grow in Him. We should view it as more necessary than physical food.

      2Timothy 3:16-17  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for   reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

            Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

            Matthew 4:4  But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds form the mouth of God' "

            John 8:31-32  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

3. Purpose to replace wrong thoughts with the truth of God’s word, so that we can bear fruits of righteousness as we abide in Him. Realizing which thoughts are the wrong ones, can only come from spending time in the Word and in prayer. Ask God to reveal to you your mindset, and ask Him if it brings glory to Him. As the Lord works on you in this area, I am assured that you will begin to bear fruits of righteousness in your life and “whatever you do will prosper”.

      Colossians 3:1-2  If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

      Psalm 1:2-3  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

            Psalm 119:11,15,16  Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

               John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

The MAP method of MEDITATION (Credit to Jim Berg)

Choose a scripture to meditate on. Just memorizing would a verse as mere words would fall short, our aim is to “engraft” scripture into our mind. The word engraft means “to plant or introduce something foreign into that which is native; to set or fix deep and firm” (Webster Dictionary 1828) We should meditate on scripture until it changes us: our thoughts, habits, desires, decisions…so that we are walking in truth. James 1:21  Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted (engrafted KJV) word, which is able to save your souls.

M  Memorize the passage. Having a “general idea” of what scripture says is not sufficient because our hearts will deceive us and we will be in danger of leaning on our own understanding. Psalm 119:11 Your word have I hidden in my heart…

A   Analyze the passage. Ask God to give you an understanding of the verses you have memorized. Study it using Bible study tools such as Lexicons, dictionaries and commentaries; gaining an understanding of the meaning of words and the context in which they were given. Allow God to be your teacher. John 16:13  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; 2Timothy 2:15  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing(dissect correctly) the word of truth.

P   Personalize the passage. Purpose to obey and apply the word which you have meditated on. Use it in prayer as you go before the Lord. Ephesians 5:8  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. walk as children of light. Romans 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (metamorphose) by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.­­