White soft paraffin is a skin protectant that is used as a moisturizer for dry skin conditions and as a barrier cream to prevent nappy rash. It is also known as white petroleum jelly and is a very greasy moisturizer that leaves a layer of oil on the surface of the skin that prevents water from evaporating from the skin surface. White soft paraffin is water repellent and helps protect the skin from irritants. It is used to soothe, smooth, and hydrate dry, chapped, and cracked skin. Some of the positive aspects of white soft paraffin include:
- Helps soften dry skin, soothe sores, lesions, and psoriatic scaling/plaques commonly associated with conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
- Helps calm itching and soreness, easing inflammation and redness.
- Functions as a protective balm helping lock in skin moisture.
- Restores skin’s softness, suppleness, and flexibility by aiding skin’s natural barrier and desquamation functions.
- Reduces friction and chaffing between skin and clothing.
- Possesses anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties.
- Beneficial in treating toenail fungus, dry scalp and dandruff ailments, common colds, non-STD genital rashes, nose bleeds, and nappy/diaper rash.
White soft paraffin is generally safe to use, and there are no known harmful effects when used by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. However, some people may experience skin irritation if they are hypersensitive to any of the ingredients. Liquid paraffin, which is a component of white soft paraffin, is classified as an occlusive emollient that forms a film on the skin that acts as a water-resistant barrier. While all skin types can benefit from emollients like liquid paraffin, emollients are especially helpful for those who have dry, rough, and/or flaky skin. However, liquid paraffin does not improve the moisture content directly and will only do so when it is on the skin, making the benefits short term for some skin types. Liquid paraffin is also associated with petroleum, and some people believe that it is contaminated with 1,4-dioxane during the purification process, which has been listed by the World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency as a probable carcinogen. However, liquid paraffin must go through numerous tests before being incorporated into products, according to the US Food and Drug Administration and the International Pharmacopeia.
