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Vaseline · Moisturizers

Petroleum Jelly

·250 ml·Leave-on
38
High concern

Why this score

Concern26 / 55
  • Fragrance: watch if sensitive
  • Coumarin: watch if sensitive

How much genuine, cited concern the ingredients carry, weighted by how much of each is likely present and whether the product stays on or rinses off.

Transparency12 / 20
  • Uses an undisclosed "fragrance/parfum" blend, so its scent allergens are hidden.

Whether the full ingredient list, and any fragrance, are actually disclosed.

Formulation restraint0 / 25
  • 5 known irritant or fragrance-allergen ingredients: Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene.

Needless irritant or allergen load for the product type. A clean, purposeful formula scores well without any "free-from" theater.

Scored by PlainBody Editorial against the PlainScore method · Label checked July 2026

What’s inside

PetrolatumCommonly feared, low concern

A time-tested occlusive that seals in moisture and helps damaged skin heal, widely used in dermatology for wound care. Cosmetic-grade petrolatum must meet purity standards that remove the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in crude sources, and it is considered one of the most effective and well-studied barrier ingredients available.

Full ingredient details →
Cocoa Seed ButterWatch if sensitive

A rich, solid-at-room-temperature butter extracted from cocoa seeds, valued for its intense emollient and conditioning properties. While generally well tolerated, it carries a higher likelihood of comedogenicity, so people with acne-prone skin may want to opt for lighter alternatives.

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FragranceWatch if sensitive

An undisclosed scent blend that can contain dozens of components. The single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy, and the blend is not itemized, so you cannot see what is in it.

Full ingredient details →
Benzyl AlcoholWatch if sensitive

A common preservative and fragrance/solvent ingredient found naturally in many essential oils. It is well tolerated by most people at the levels used in cosmetics, but it is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens and can trigger reactions in people with an existing sensitivity.

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CoumarinWatch if sensitive

A sweet, hay-like fragrance ingredient naturally found in tonka bean and lavender. It is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens and is also subject to an EU maximum concentration limit in finished cosmetic products.

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Hexyl CinnamalWatch if sensitive

A jasmine-like fragrance compound frequently used in soaps and lotions. It is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens, though studies suggest its sensitization potency is comparatively low relative to other listed allergens.

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LimoneneWatch if sensitive

A citrus-scented fragrance component. Fine for most, but it oxidizes over time into a known contact allergen, so it must be labelled in the EU.

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Soybean OilGenerally safe

A nutrient-rich carrier oil from soybean seeds containing linoleic and linolenic acids essential for barrier function. Phytoestrogen content is present but not absorbed systemically from topical application, graded low concern by regulatory assessments.

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Isopropyl MyristateWatch if sensitive

A synthetic ester used to thin out heavy formulas and help other ingredients absorb faster. It is considered safe as used by CIR, but it has a reputation among acne-prone users for feeling occlusive on skin, so people who clog easily may prefer to patch test or choose lighter alternatives.

Full ingredient details →

Note: this product hides its scent as an undisclosed “fragrance/parfum” blend, so its specific allergens are not on the label.

Lower-concern alternatives

Same category, higher PlainScore.

Compare Petroleum Jelly against anything we have scored →

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Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. Concern ratings are evidence-graded and cited on each ingredient page. See how we score.