00:00If you've ever opened your medicine cabinet and found a small tub of clear, jelly-like goo called Vaseline,
00:11you might have used it for chapped lips, dry elbows, or maybe even to keep a new tattoo moisturized.
00:18But what is Vaseline, really? Where does it come from? And how is this semi-solid balm actually made?
00:26Most of us have grown up with it somewhere in the house, but few of us know how it's produced or even what it's made from.
00:34So, let's get into it and peel back the shiny lid, right here on History of Simple Things.
00:50Let's start at the very beginning.
00:52Vaseline, at its core, is made from petroleum jelly, a byproduct of oil drilling.
00:59It all goes back to the mid-19th century when oil drilling was still in its infancy.
01:04In 1859, workers at Pennsylvania oil fields noticed a gooey substance building up on their drilling rigs.
01:12They called it rod wax. It would gunk up the machinery, and at first, it was just a nuisance.
01:21But some workers started applying this rod wax to cuts and burns, claiming it helped them heal faster.
01:28That caught the attention of a young chemist named Robert Cheesebro.
01:33Fascinated by this crude residue, Cheesebro decided to refine it, and eventually branded his purified version as Vaseline.
01:45The name itself is a blend of the German word for water, Wasser, and the Greek word for oil, Eleon.
01:53Cheesebro's Vaseline was introduced in 1872, and it was marketed not just as a healing balm, but as a kind of miracle substance for skin care, lubrication, and household use.
02:06Over time, it became a staple around the world.
02:10But to understand how Vaseline is made, we need to dive into how crude oil is transformed into something you can safely rub on your skin.
02:21Now here's the wild part.
02:23Vaseline starts as crude oil, the thick, dark, smelly stuff that comes out of the ground.
02:29Crude oil is a complex mix of hydrocarbons, and once it's extracted, it goes through a refining process.
02:37This involves heating the oil in giant distillation towers, where different components separate out based on their boiling points.
02:45The lighter fractions become gasoline, kerosene, and jet fuel.
02:50The heavier, waxier leftovers, those are the parts that eventually become petroleum jelly.
02:59But don't worry, we're not slathering raw crude on our lips.
03:02This waxy residue undergoes a rigorous purification process.
03:08It's filtered, distilled again, and decolorized to remove any harmful substances, odors, or impurities.
03:15The result is a clear odorless substance that's safe for topical use and approved by medical agencies around the world.
03:22This base is what manufacturers call white petroleum jelly, and it's the essential building block of Vaseline.
03:33So, how do they take something so industrial and turn it into a clean, skin-safe product?
03:40The transformation hinges on several steps of extreme refinement.
03:44One method used is called vacuum distillation, which involves heating the petroleum under reduced pressure to boil off unwanted compounds at lower temperatures.
03:55This avoids breaking down the jelly's molecular structure.
03:59The material is then filtered through layers of bleaching clay or activated carbon, which help to remove color and trace contaminants.
04:07At this point, the jelly is transparent or milky white and completely odorless.
04:15But the process doesn't end there.
04:20To meet health and safety standards, the jelly is tested for purity, especially if it's going to be used in cosmetics or medical products.
04:27This includes screening for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, which are potentially carcinogenic and must be minimized to trace amounts or eliminated entirely.
04:41Only after passing this gauntlet of testing does the petroleum jelly get approved for the next phase, turning it into the Vaseline we know and recognize.
04:50Once purified, the petroleum jelly is transferred into large mixing vats.
05:01Here, other optional ingredients may be added, like fragrances for scented varieties or vitamins for cosmetic blends.
05:09For the classic Vaseline you find in most drugstores, though, it's usually just the pure jelly, untouched.
05:15At this stage, the substance is still warm and somewhat fluid, which makes it easier to handle.
05:22It's then dispensed into sterilized containers, those familiar tubs or tubes, while it's still soft.
05:32As it cools, it solidifies into that semi-solid gel form we all recognize.
05:37Vaseline doesn't spoil or go rancid because it's inert, meaning it doesn't react easily with other substances.
05:45That's one of the reasons it has such a long shelf life.
05:49After the packaging stage, the containers are sealed, labeled, boxed, and shipped all over the world.
05:57From oil fields to factory floors to your bathroom shelf, it's quite the journey for something so simple.
06:03One of the biggest questions people have is, why does Vaseline work so effectively on dry or damaged skin?
06:16The answer lies in its occlusive properties.
06:19Vaseline doesn't actually hydrate your skin, it creates a protective barrier that locks in the moisture already there.
06:26Think of it as sealing a leaky container.
06:30By preventing water from escaping through the skin, Vaseline helps keep things soft, supple, and protected, especially in harsh climates.
06:42This barrier also keeps out irritants and bacteria, which is why it's often used on minor wounds and scrapes.
06:49Despite its oil-based origin, Vaseline is non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog pores for most people.
06:58It's been used in everything from baby care to long-distance marathons to beauty routines.
07:04In fact, many makeup artists use a thin layer of Vaseline to create a dewy glow or to tame eyebrows.
07:12So there you have it.
07:18Vaseline, a product that starts out as a sticky by-product from the depths of the earth, goes through an intense refining journey to become one of the most trusted skin care staples in the world.
07:31It's one of those rare things that stood the test of time, not because it's fancy or trendy, but because it simply works.
07:39Whether you use it to soothe cracked heels, protect your lips, or rescue dry winter hands, you're using something with over 150 years of history behind it.
07:49The next time you dip your fingers into that smooth, clear jelly, you'll know exactly how it got there, from oil rigs, to refinery towers, to the little jar by your sink.
08:03And that's Vaseline, another simple thing, with a not-so-simple backstory.
08:08Thank you for watching. If you have suggestions for our next video, feel free to share them in the comments below.
08:17We'll be sure to give you an acknowledgement for your contribution.
08:26Thank you for joining us on this journey through the history of simple things.
08:30Don't forget to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more stories woven through the smallest details.
