The 8 Best Natural Alternatives to Petroleum Jelly
Updated September 2025
Petroleum jelly has long been a household staple for sealing in moisture and soothing dry, irritated skin. However, concerns over petroleum-derived ingredients and sustainability have prompted many to seek natural alternatives.
Modern natural balms can replicate the protective barrier effect of petroleum jelly while delivering additional nutrients, antioxidants, and a lighter skin feel.
How Is Petroleum Jelly Produced?
Petroleum jelly, often known as Vaseline, starts as crude oil extracted through drilling. The oil is refined and distilled, separating it into fractions by boiling point. The fraction used for petroleum jelly is then purified, hydrogenated, and decolorized to create its smooth, translucent texture.
Reasons You May Want to Avoid Petroleum Jelly
• Occlusive Barrier – Petroleum jelly creates a thick, non-breathable layer on the skin. While this helps trap moisture, it can also clog pores with prolonged use. For some, this may contribute to breakouts, folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles), or even yeast overgrowth like candidiasis.
• Lack Of Nutrients – Unlike natural oils and butters, petroleum jelly contains no vitamins, antioxidants, or beneficial fatty acids. It doesn’t actively nourish or improve skin health—it simply sits on the surface as a protective coating.
• Environmental Impact – Petroleum jelly is derived from crude oil, a non-renewable resource. Its extraction and refinement contribute to environmental degradation and greenhouse gas emissions, making it a less sustainable skincare choice.
• Potential Contaminants – Even refined versions may contain trace impurities like PAHs or 1,4-dioxane.
Natural Alternatives to Petroleum Jelly
• Shea Butter – Rich in vitamins A & E; soothes and moisturizes.
• Coconut Oil – Antimicrobial and deeply hydrating.
• Beeswax – Breathable barrier that locks in moisture.
• Beef Tallow – Nutrient-dense, similar to human sebum.
• Mango Butter – Lightweight, anti-inflammatory.
• Cocoa Butter – Emollient, improves elasticity.
The Best Petroleum Jelly Alternative Products We Found
Honest — Head-To-Toe Ointment
Shipping: Free for $50+ orders
Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Beeswax, Olive Fruit Oil, Shea Butter, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Calendula Flower Extract, Chamomile Oil, Tocopherol, Soybean Sterols, Squalane, Citric Acid
Honest’s Head-to-Toe Ointment is a versatile, nourishing balm with a rich blend of oils and botanicals like chamomile, calendula, and coconut oil. It’s gentle on dry or irritated skin and provides multi-layered hydration and calming benefits. It offers excellent value at $3 per ounce. It contains beeswax, so it isn’t vegan, but its effectiveness and ingredient diversity make it a reliable petroleum jelly alternative.
Earth Mama — Nose & Cheek Balm
Shipping: Free for $50+ orders
Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Beeswax, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Calendula Flower Extract
Earth Mama’s Nose & Cheek Balm is designed for delicate baby skin but works beautifully for adults as well. Its blend of sunflower oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and calendula provides gentle yet effective protection against dryness and irritation. Being certified organic makes it a trustworthy choice for ingredient-conscious families. While it contains beeswax, preventing it from being vegan, it remains one of the most reliable and skin-friendly petroleum jelly alternatives.
Pipette — Baby Balm
Shipping: Free for $45+ orders
Ingredients: Squalane, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, Jojoba Esters, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Pomegranate Sterols, Tocopherol
Pipette’s Baby Balm is a fantastic vegan choice that relies on squalane—a powerhouse hydrator that mimics the skin’s natural oils. It’s fragrance-free, making it perfect for sensitive or allergy-prone skin. The formula is modern and clean, with supportive plant-based emollients. At $6 per ounce, it’s pricier than some non-vegan options, but its gentle, safe, and vegan-friendly formulation makes it a standout option.
Meow Meow Tweet — Repair Balm
Shipping: Free for $45+ orders
Ingredients: Olive Fruit Oil, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Candelilla Wax, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Myrrh Oil, Chamomile Oil, Vetiver Oil
This vegan repair balm is crafted with a thoughtful mix of botanicals, including rosemary, chamomile, and myrrh, known for their soothing and restorative properties. It feels artisanal and luxurious, with a focus on plant-based healing. The main drawback is cost—at $20 per ounce, it falls into luxury skincare pricing. Still, for those who want a vegan balm with rich essential oils and a therapeutic feel, it’s an excellent choice.
Alba Botanica — Un-Petroleum Jelly
Shipping: Free with Amazon Prime
Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Beeswax, Tocopheryl Acetate
Alba Botanica’s Un-Petroleum Jelly is the most budget-friendly option on the list, costing just $2.31 per ounce. Its simple blend of castor oil, sunflower oil, and beeswax makes it effective for sealing in moisture and preventing dryness. While it doesn’t have the extra botanical oils or extracts that some higher-end balms include, its affordability and effectiveness make it a solid everyday replacement for petroleum jelly.
Sky Organics — Petroleum Free Jelly
Shipping: Free for $50+ orders
Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Beeswax, Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Tocopherol, Calendula Flower Oil
Sky Organics offers a USDA-certified organic balm with a blend of nourishing oils and shea butter. Its inclusion of calendula adds soothing properties, making it great for dry or irritated skin. However, at $6.80 per ounce, it’s pricier than Earth Mama and Honest, which offer similar benefits at a lower cost. A solid choice for those who prioritize certified-organic products, but not the most budget-friendly option.
Kiss Kiss Goodnight — Protective Balm
Shipping: Free for $65+ orders
Ingredients: Pracaxi Seed Oil, Berry Wax, Cupuacu Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Melon Seed Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil, Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla, Rosemary Leaf Extract
Kiss Kiss Goodnight’s Protective Balm feels luxurious with its unique blend of oils like pracaxi, sea buckthorn, and meadowfoam. It’s vegan-friendly, antioxidant-rich, and designed for deep nourishment. The only drawback is the cost—at nearly $19 per ounce, it’s a premium product that may not fit everyone’s daily budget. Best suited for those looking for a luxurious vegan balm rather than an everyday staple.
Primally Pure — Everything Balm
Shipping: Free for $75+ orders
Ingredients: Tallow, Olive Oil, Emu Oil, Beeswax, Marshmallow Root, Calendula Flower, Lavender Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Rosemary Extract, Vitamin E
Primally Pure’s Everything Balm takes a different approach with an animal-based formula using tallow and emu oil. These ingredients are deeply nourishing and packed with fatty acids that repair the skin barrier. While effective, it’s not vegan and comes at a steep $30 per ounce. For those comfortable with animal-based skincare, it’s a strong option, but it won’t appeal to everyone.