Petroleum Jelly VS Beeswax What’s The Difference? (Explained)

Most likely you have heard of Petroleum Jelly or Beeswax.

You have probably either used one of them or even both at some point, but really what is the difference ? are they both similar or completely different.

Here i will explain the important differences, so you won’t make any mistakes between the two in the future.

What Are the Differences Between Beeswax and Petroleum Jelly?

Beeswax is different to Petroleum Jelly, they both originate from different places and both have a different chemical make up, even though they look alike and even feel similar, there is a difference, let me explain so there is no mistake.

In this article we are going to cover the difference between Petroleum Jelly and Beeswax and where they both come from, I am sure it will be very informative for you, so please read on.

Where Does Petroleum Jelly Come From ?

Petroleum Jelly made famous by the brand name Vaseline, is a Petroleum Product as the name suggests.

Petroleum Jelly is made from the materials derived from crude oil, being Petroleum.

Originally, the substance was discovered at the bottom of oil rigs, as a coating in the mid-1800s, Petroleum Jelly was made extremely popular by the name Vaseline and is a biproduct of the Oil industry.

What Is Petroleum ?

Petroleum is processed in oil refineries also known as Crude Oil or Oil, in colour it is a yellowish-black liquid, found deep beneath the Earth’s surface.

The main purpose of extracting Petroleum, is to refine it into various types of fuels, including petrol or gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel or jet fuel and other types of fuel oils.

The separated components of Petroleum during the refining process into Petroleum Jelly have been reported to be carcinogenic in some cases.

During the manufacturing of Petroleum into Petroleum Jelly these separated carcinogenic components are removed.

Petroleum Jelly can be found in “different grades of purity” and used as a base in many different beauty products also being sold as Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)

Petroleum Jelly has being made popular by a brand called Vaseline, it is highly cleaned and refined being purified via a multiple filtration process and regarded as non-carcinogenic.

Where Does Beeswax Come From ?

Beeswax or scientifically known as (Cera alba) is produced coming from the Honey Bees being a natural Wax.

The Wax is formed by the Bees, being the Worker Bees of the Hive, using eight of their Wax producing glands, being made into scales in the region of their abdominal section.

This Wax is either removed and dis guarded or used in or at the Hive.

The Hive Bees collect the Wax and use it producing small cells as storage and protection to hold honey and larval and pupal within the Beehive.

What Is Beeswax ?

Scientifically Beeswax consists mainly of esters of acids including fatty acids and long alcohol chains.

What are the uses of Beeswax ?

Through history and even now Beeswax is used in different ways, it was the first Plastic and as barrier lubricant.

Beeswax, was one of the first Waterproofing agents, also being used as a Polish for Wood and Leather.

It is used for the making of Candles, as an ingredient or Natural Emulsion in Cosmetics and in Encaustic Painting.

Beeswax may be eaten and is similar to a plant wax, in the way it may affect you if eaten.

Beeswax is approved for food use in most countries around the world and in the European union under the E number 901 registration.

Petroleum Jelly VS Beeswax

It is important to be able to differentiate easily between Petroleum Jelly and Beeswax. The table below outlines the differences between the two with these most common questions asked.

COMPARISON	BEESWAX	PETROLEUM JELLY
naturally produced ?	yes	no
produced by man ?	no	yes
synthetic ?	no	yes
is a natural humectant ?	yes	no
hold moisture once applied ?	yes	yes
attract moisture deterring drying out ?	yes	no
is antibacterial ?	yes	no
has antimicrobial properties ?	yes	no
can be eaten ?	yes	no
safe to be inserted inside the body ?	yes	no
is considered or can be organic ?	yes	no
found in general grocery stores ?	no	yes

Final Thoughts

Beeswax and Petroleum Jelly both have their differences.

The most important thing to consider when wondering which one should i use, would be the purpose of using it.

When and if making a choice to use one of the two on yourself.

An important consideration about yourself is that each and every one of us, is a natural and organic living being, logically and rationally, to use something with properties on yourself that is natural, organic and living may be more beneficial over time.

Now you know the differences, i am sure you wont confuse the two in the future.