Last Updated on January 24, 2024
In 2022 alone, petroleum jelly sales accumulated to $131 million dollars in revenue. You can find it in practically every grocery store. Many dermatologists recommend it for skincare and eczema.
But what exactly is petroleum jelly and is it good for our health? Or the environment?
If you’re interested in living a zero waste, plastic-free lifestyle, you may want to avoid petroleum jelly simply because it’s packaged in a plastic container. But packaging alone is not the only thing to consider when making a purchase: Ingredients matter too.
And, in this case, petroleum itself is a byproduct of the fossil fuel industry.
This fact, however, doesn’t necessarily mean petroleum jelly is outright bad. It’s history, uses and benefits are complex.
Let’s dive into what petroleum jelly is, how it came to be, and what you need to know about it. I’ve also included some more eco-friendly and natural alternatives you can use instead.
what is petroleum jelly made of?
Petroleum jelly is made of refined crude oil. Lets discuss what that means.
First off, crude oil must be extracted from the earth (often unsustainably) and then refined into a wide array of petroleum products such as gasoline, jet fuels, etc.
According to the Department of Energy, crude oil itself is a mix of hydrocarbons, (molecules of carbon and hydrogen) formed from the decomposition of carbon-based plant and animal organisms that accumulated in ancient seabed and lakes, buried under high pressures and high temperatures for millions of years.
Aka, crude oil is a fossil fuel.
Now, how does this become crude oil become petroleum jelly?
Manufacturers refine the material into a semi-solid, mostly odorless product. They do this through distilling and filtering it so they can remove undesirable impurities.
is vaseline and petroleum jelly the same thing?
Vaseline and petroleum jelly are often referred to interchangeably, but it’s important to note they’re not exactly the same thing.
Vaseline is a brand that dates back to1859 when a chemist named Sir Augustus Chesebrough visited oil rigs in Pennsylvania to research what materials could be obtained from fuel.
About ten years later, in 1870, Chesebrough launched his business, Vaseline. He patented the refining process (filtration) of petroleum to make Vaseline.
But there’s a bit of history not many are aware of: Chesebrough was not the first to discover petroleum jelly. Native American tribes from Pennsylvania were.
They even developed the know-how to refine and process it before Chesebrough or anyone else. This is because the oil pits in Pennsylvania belonged to the Native Americans, and they developed surface seeps of petroleum which they cultivated for medicinal purposes.
Since Vaseline’s launch, many other brands have also started producing their own version of petroleum jelly.
So, it’s important to note when we talk about “petroleum jelly” we are not only limiting it to Vaseline’s product.
is petroleum jelly safe on skin?
Petroleum jelly is said to be safe on skin by most dermatologists.
It’s an occlusive moisturizer, meaning it seals moisture into the skin. It creates a barrier that prevents water from leaving the skin and thus helps the skin retain moisture.
Petroleum jelly is most commonly used to:
- Heal minor scrapes and burns
- Moisturize face, hands and more
- Soothe skin and relieve dryness/chapped skin
- Prevent chafing
- Prevent diaper rash
However, petroleum jelly should only be used externally. Do not eat or insert petroleum jelly internally.
Especially avoid using petroleum jelly as a lubricant. According to Reuters, a study of 141 women found that 17 percent used petroleum jelly internally and 40 percent of them tested positive for bacterial vaginosis.
While many people recommend using it for chapped lips, you may want to air on the side of caution and avoid doing so simply because it’s easy to accidentally ingest petroleum jelly when it’s on your lips.
Very rarely, some individuals may have petroleum jelly allergies and should avoid using petroleum jelly. Always consult a medical professional if you have concerns.
is petroleum jelly all natural?
Just because something comes from the Earth does not mean it’s necessarily safe. For example, many people argue “natural gas” is good simply because it has the word natural in it – but it is still a fossil fuel which contributes to climate change.
In a similar way, petroleum jelly is not exactly all natural because it must be refined multiple times to become safe to use. Plus, it is derived from fossil fuels, which are harming our planet.
Vaseline in particular is also not cruelty-free. If you didn’t know, Vaseline is owned by Unilever. Both Unilever and Vaseline state they don’t test their products on animals, but they do allow their ingredient suppliers or government authorities to test on animals where required by law.
Cruelty-free companies have a policy where if the law requires them to test on animals, they will refuse to sell their products under those conditions. Since Vaseline and Unilever aren’t doing this, their products cannot be considered cruelty-free.
However, there are sustainable, cruelty-free alternatives to petroleum jelly to consider using.
natural alternatives to petroleum jelly
If you’ve decided to avoid or swap out petroleum jelly, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite alternatives. If you prefer DIYs, you could also try making homemade lotion.
Each of these moisturizers gets the Going Zero Waste seal of approval. Several of these brands are packaged plastic free, and utilize organic ingredients.
I’ve gone ahead and highlighted some key features of each brand, but it isn’t an exhaustive list. Be sure to check out their websites for more information.
1. waxelene
- All-over, multi-purpose ointment
- Made from USDA-certified organic ingredients like beeswax, soy oil, and rosemary
- Cruelty-free and hypoallergenic
- Ointment comes in reusable/recyclable glass jar
- 2% of sales go to removing ocean plastics from the environment
/ SHOP WAXELENE /
2. jao’s goe oil
- All over body oil
- Made from 28 naturally derived plant, fruit and flower oils and butters
- Long lasting (a little goes a long way)
- Plastic-free aluminum tube
3. ecoroots everything balm
- All over body moisturizer
- Made with organic botanical ingredients
- Vegan + cruelty-free
- Packaged in a recyclable/reusable glass jar
- Palm-oil Free, paraben-free, phthalates-free
4. dr. bronner’s organic magic balm
- All over body balm
- Unscented + arnica-menthol options
- Made from certified organic and fair trade ingredients
- Packaged in a 2 oz reusable/recyclable tin
So, what are your thoughts on petroleum jelly? Would you switch to a more eco-friendly alternative? Let me know in the comments.
The post What is Petroleum Jelly? Is It Sustainable? appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
There’s something undeniably special about wearing uniquely handcrafted, fair trade jewelry that you can know was made slowly and thoughtfully with care. Equally special is wearing an elevated set of jewelry crafted with recycled materials and sustainable processes.
Whether you’re looking for an investment piece or more affordable pieces, there are options for any budget on this list. The aesthetics of these fair trade and sustainable jewelry brands also vary, so you’ll also be able to discover an ethical brand that matches your unique style.
What is Fair Trade Jewelry?
Fair trade can both be a general term used to describe a brand’s sourcing practices — like direct relationships with artisan cooperatives, wages above local standard rates, and safe working conditions — or a third-party “Fair Trade” verification through an organization like Fair Trade Federation, Fair Trade USA, or World Fair Trade Organization. When a brand doesn’t have a certification, we verify a brand’s practices by their own published information.
In the cases where brands do go the extra mile and get a third-party verification for their fair trade practices, we’ve noted it directly in their entries.
Note that this guide includes affiliate links and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for responsibility we love, and that we think you’ll love too!
2. Ana Luisa
Best for: affordable everyday jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Gold, Lab-Grown Diamonds, Small-Batch Production, Direct-to-Consumer
Ana Luisa creates stunning, elegant jewelry from responsibly-sourced materials including 100% recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds. The sustainable jewelry brand also produces in small batches to minimize waste.
By using a direct-to-consumer model, Ana Luisa is able to provide luxury, high-quality jewelry at accessible prices.
3. Monica Vinader
Best for: recycled demi-fine jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Woman-Founded, Recycled Silver & Gold Vermeil, Traceable Gemstones, Lab-Grown & Conflict-Free Diamonds, Supply Chain Transparency
Price Range: $85 (studs) – $2,495 (diamond ring)
British jewelry brand Monica Vinader was one of the first brands to meet the gap between fashion jewelry and fine jewelry with their “demi fine” jewelry. The women-founded brand has necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings crafted from 100% recycled sterling silver and gold vermeil, fully traceable gemstones, and lab-grown or conflict-free diamonds. Monica Vinader also launched Product Passports, taking an active effort towards full supply chain transparency.
4. WorldFinds
Best for: unique statement jewelry with a story
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Verified, Upcycled Materials, Artisan-Made
WorldFinds provides sustainable employment and just wages for hundreds of women artisans in India and Bali. These artisans handcraft both sleek metal fair trade jewelry and unique recycled Kantha pieces. WorldFinds is Verified by the Fair Trade Federation, which assesses members against fair trade principles including fair wages, safe conditions, and transparent supply chains.
Plus WorldFinds’ signature Kantha jewelry is made from upcycling materials: wood scraps from a furniture factory and locally sourced Kantha fabric remnants.
5. Astor + Orion
Best for: drop earrings and charm necklaces with symbolism
Conscious Qualities: Certified Ethical Factory, Recycled Materials, Designed for Recyclability, Repair Program
Ethical jewelry brand Astor + Orion sources their jewelry from a factory with multiple certifications ensuring worker safety, fair production practices, and responsible environmental management. Astor + Orion’s stunning jewelry is made from recycled materials and designed in a way to make it easily recyclable! Their pieces also come with a quality assurance — the brand will repair any piece within 6 months of purchase.
6. Laura Elizabeth
Best for: non-toxic jewelry in organic shapes
Conscious Qualities: Locally Sourced Recycled Metals, Woman-Owned, Fair Wages, Safe Working Conditions
Price Range: $45 – $330
Crafted from recycled metals sourced locally in LA, Laura Elizabeth creates stand-out sustainable jewelry. All of the brand’s jewelry is sourced ethically from a small, woman-owned studio in Los Angeles that ensures reasonable working hours (35 hr/week), fair wages, and safe working conditions (such as proper ventilation). Check out more on Laura Elizabeth in this post!
The jewelry is also non-toxic, free of cadmium or lead.
7. Ten Thousand Villages
Best for: giftable fair trade jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Production, Artisan-Made
Price Range: $6 – $175
Founded in 1946, Ten Thousand Villages is one of the fair trade pioneers and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), the global network that verifies fair trade practices across its member organizations.
They’ve developed relationships with artisans around the world, providing valuable economic opportunities for thousands of makers in 30 countries around the world. Their marketplace has handmade necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, along with a variety of other fair trade goods.
8. Edge of Ember
Best for: gemstone jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Gold & Silver, Artisan-Made, Ethical Production
Price Range: $49 (ear cuff) – $2,730 (diamond tennis bracelet)
Edge of Ember’s timeless jewelry is responsibly crafted by makers working in artisan groups and small-scale factories. Their delicate necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other pieces are crafted by skilled artisans in India, Hong Kong, Germany, and Thailand. The brand carries out independent social audits to ensure ethical working conditions and environmental responsibility.
Edge of Ember has a wide selection of recycled gold and silver rings, bracelets, and necklaces adorned with stunning gemstones, including many birthstone jewelry options perfect for gifting.
9. Aurate
Best for: ethical diamond fine jewelry
Conscious Qualities: 100% Recycled Gold, Lab-Grown & Conflict-Free Diamonds, Vintage Collection
Price Range: $18 (stainless steel chain) – $19,000 (diamond tennis necklace)
Responsibly-sourced quality jewelry — that’s Aurate’s promise. The jewelry brand’s sleek, timeless pieces are thoughtfully made by seventh-generation craftspeople using 100% recycled gold and lab-grown or conflict-free diamonds.
Aurate also has a curated collection of vintage fine jewelry from cocktail watches to signet rings up to 50% off.
10. SOKO
Best for: modern, minimalist artisan-made jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Above-Market Artisan Wages, Black-Owned
Price Range: $78 – $298
SOKO is an innovative Black-owned ethical jewelry brand using mobile tools to bridge the barriers for artisan entrepreneurs in Kenya. In partnership with SOKO, independent artisans can operate a “virtual factory”, earning 5x more than an average artisan workshop in their local areas.
The jewelry is made with 24K gold or silver-plated brass — an affordable metal that also happens to consist of 90% recycled content on average. Other materials include reclaimed horn and bone, locally-sourced teak wood offcuts, and ceramic beads made by a fair trade women’s collective in Kenya.
10. Raven + Lily
Best for: affordable artisan jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Verified, Artisan-Made, Women-Led
Price Range: $40 – $240
Raven + Lily is an ethical fashion and jewelry brand verified Fair Trade by the Fair Trade Federation. The women-led brand partners with artisan women around the world who use natural materials to craft both classic, elegant pieces and statement jewelry.
11. NAKIIT
Best for: one-of-a-kind, solo-handcrafted pieces
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-Order, Recycled Silver & Gold, Zero-Waste Scrap Recycling
Price Range: $21 – $485
As a small, slow-minded jewelry brand, NAKIIT’s founder + owner handcrafts each piece with intention. In fact, every piece of jewelry the brand sells is made by the founder herself!
Nearly all of NAKIIT’s ethically-made jewelry is either made-to-order or one-of-a-kind, ensuring a minimal ecological impact and the highest attention to quality.
As if we could love this brand even more, NAKIIT also sources recycled sterling silver and gold, plus recycles any remaining metal scraps or dust after production.
You May Also Want to Check Out:
Best Fair Trade Fashion Brands With Style and Heart
Affordable Ethical Fashion Brands
Consciously Curated Marketplaces for One-Stop Ethical Shopping
The post 11 Best Fair Trade and Sustainable Jewelry Brands That Shine appeared first on Conscious Life & Style