petroleum jelly

Petroleum jelly

Petroleum jelly, petrolatum (/ˌpɛtrəˈleɪtəm/), white petrolatum, soft paraffin, or multi-hydrocarbon, CAS number 8009-03-8, is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons (with carbon numbers mainly higher than 25), commonly promoted as a topical ointment for its healing properties. Vaseline has been the dominant brand of petroleum jelly sold since 1870.