petrolatum

[ pe-truh-ley-tuhm, -lah- ]

noun

1. a yellowish or whitish, translucent, gelatinous, oily, semisolid, amorphous mass obtained from petroleum: used as a lubricant, rust preventive, in the manufacture of cosmetics, and in medicine as a protective dressing, emollient, and ointment base.

petrolatum

/ ˌpɛtrəˈleɪtəm /

noun

1. a translucent gelatinous substance obtained from petroleum; used as a lubricant and in medicine as an ointment base and protective dressing Also calledmineral jellypetroleum jelly

Word History and Origins

Origin of petrolatum¹

1885–90, Americanism; < New Latin; petroleum, -ate ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of petrolatum¹

C19: from petrol + Latin -atum -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Applying a thick layer of lip balm with moisturizing ingredients like petrolatum or shea butter before bedtime will also nourish your lips and prevent chapping, Rogers said.

From Seattle Times

Unfortunately, I developed an incurable lung disease due to the petrolatum.

From Seattle Times

A: Many people use Vaseline or other petrolatum products to moisturize their nostrils, just as you do.

From Seattle Times

“Don’t forget about your lips, as they can be affected by the friction of the mask – consider applying petrolatum to your lips before you wear your mask and at bedtime,” Kovarik added.

From Fox News

For instance, Whole Foods’ 2018 list of unacceptable ingredients, which includes more than 400 compounds, included petrolatum, which dermatologists recommend to patients because it is so nonallergenic.

From Washington Post