I have been using only Vaseline (or the generic petroleum jelly) on my lips for years b/c I find it lasts MUCH longer than other chapsticks I've tried and it's much smoother.  I also put the Vaseline on my hands instead of lotion.  Again, it just lasts SO much longer and does a better job at really soaking in and preventing dryness.  AND I use it as make-up remover on my eyes.  It's cheap and easy to use.  But I recently read something online about petroleum being a bad ingredient in beauty products, something to avoid.  Does anyone know anything more about this?  I thought it seemed more natural than other beauty products with all the chemicals (not the good products Alicia posted on here), so I thought I was doing fine.  But now I wonder. 
Any thoughts?

BAD, BAD, BAD , BAD BAD!!!!!!! It's a petrochemical which is a nightmare for you or the environment!!!

Correction- It's a by-product of the refining process in producing Petrochemicals. VERY VERY BAD!!! Alba makes Un-petroleum               multi-purpose Jelly. You could give it a try.

Ooh.  Thanks, Michelle!

I dont know about the environment, the petrochemical industry is ofcourse doing a lot of harm and polution... But as of it is bad for the skin? I dont know. I 've been doing some online resaerch and there is a lot of contradictionary info...
Confusing!

There are a lot of claims that it is really good for the skin....  Very confusing...
Facts????

To me it's common sense. Putting a petrochemical on your skin, which can be used for transdermal medications, CAN'T BE good.

Interesting.  I was under the impression petroleum jelly was an animal product, and it seems I was misinformed.  I guess I thought it was the same thing as lanolin.  Thanks for clearing this up.

I thought it was an animal product too! 

I've seen some doctors (in magazines, not ads) recommend using vaseline or petroleum jelly on the lips and skin.  And I actually met a woman at a restaurant recently (she was our server) who saw me using Vaseline on my lips and said she's been using that all over her face, as a moisturizer, for years and her skin looked GREAT!  I also asked my eye doctor once if it was bad to use Vaseline as an eye make-up remover and she said it was fine.  But I can see the logic behind what Michelle's saying (above).  It just seems obvious that environmentally, petroleum products wouldn't be good.  Therefore, it seems logical that rubbing it all over your body would likewise not be good. 

Still, I'm finding the food stuff pretty cut and dry, but having a more difficult time with all the beauty products.  It all feels overwhelming at times.  Plus, I have all these beauty products (face wash, body lotion, soap, make-up) that I still have, but now I know they're bad for me and the environment and animals, so I don't want to use them anymore.... but I still have them!  I hate to throw them out and waste it all, but I also don't WANT to use them anymore either!  I don't know what to do. 

I gave mine away to people I knew couldn't afford good skincare. This was SEVERAL years ago. So i've found a lot of good stuff since then.

Here's somewhere to start:

http://www.ecosevi.com

http://www.rawgaia.com

http://www.juliegabriel.com

http://www.mychelleusa.com

http://www.borlind.com

Vaseline is very bad for you. Not only does the production of it harm the environment, but when you put it on your skin, it creates a barrier that prevents oxygen getting to your skin. Essentially, you are killing your skin cells. Most hand lotions also have this issue, including Bath and Body Works products. That is why your skin feels dry after a short period of time and you need to apply more lotion. It is an endless cycle. It is better to use natural products. Young Living is my favorite, but you need to know a distributer or become one yourself. That is what I did because I love their products, and it is not very expensive to become a distributer. They sell mostly essential oils, and they have one that does a great job taking away pain!

Let me tell all of you, I've tried lots of lotions. Ederma's DMAE - very smelly, Hyaluronic Acid, various oils....NOTHING works as good as vaseline!! I am 54 years old and I continually go back to vaseline, no matter what I try. Only before bedtime tho'. I wash my face, and while it is still wet, rub vaseline all over. It holds in the moisture and my skin has not 'died' because it was suffocated!! lol. YES, I see glowing skin in the am! I've tried very expensive lotions that actually DRIED my skin, even tho they claim to moisturize. Vaseline does wonders in preventing scaring - ask anyone with a tatoo!! I am always asked if I had a facelift and always told how young I look. My mom has never used anything but vaseline and at 71 yrs old, has been mistaken for 50 and YOUNGER!!! I will never give up my vaseline for expensive crap, ever again! I LOVE it!

Vaseline is a petroleum based product along with mineral oil.

Both contain molecules that are larger than your pore, so you basically are moisturizing from the inside out. Noting goes in and nothing comes out.

Eminence Organic Skin Care & Organic Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - amazing products.  I highly recommend... Bruce Fife has a book out on all the benefits of Coconut Oil.  It's incredible.

Vaseline and petroleum are bad for your skin.  The petroleum blocks your pores from absorbing anything that would moisturize your skin.  You've heard how people are 'addicted' to chapstick - that's because of the petroleum they put in there.  You keep applying because you need it, while its creating a barrier on your lips never to heal them. www.HealMysole.com makes awesome lip balms that have been compared to Burts and other natural lip balms.