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The Shocking Truth Behind Most Paw Paw Ointments!

24 May, 2020 - 03:38pm by - First Lady | 25 Comments

image: PawPawShop London

Paw Paw Ointment has become a popular 'natural' alternative to petroleum jelly.  People slather it on their lips, their baby's butt and use it on skin ailments such as wounds.  

Would it shock you to know that a lot of Paw Paw balms are in fact, anything but 'natural'?  Check the ingredients list and you'll find some, including the cult classic  are actually made up of 96% Petroleum Jelly!

What is Petroleum Jelly?

We won't sugarcoat it.  Petroleum Jelly is a by-product (technically from the sludge waste...eww) of turning oil into petrol.  It is bleached and the smell is chemically removed.  As a by product of oil refinery it is not a sustainable resource.

The Truth about Petroleum Jelly.

Now petroleum jelly is safe for use on your skin, we're not here to argue that.  But here is the truth.  It's just not all that good for it.  Now before you started protesting, telling me 'my skin feels instantly soft when I use it' let me explain.

Your skin instantly feels smooth after you apply Petroleum Jelly (or petrolatum as it's sometimes listed) - because it's a slick product that forms an excellent barrier. It keeps moisture in and air out.  But it doesn't add moisture.  When you apply it, your dry, hard skin, feels instantly smooth but that's where the benefit stops.  By keeping air and moisture out, you're actually drying out your skin and blocking your pores with a water resistant plug.  

How to find a more natural Paw Paw Balm.

Now look.  If you don't mind the fact that your Paw Paw isn't really a natural multi-tasking balm then that's all good. 

But if you are a bit peeved to discover your natural choice isn't what it seems, then all you need to do is check the ingredients list before buying your next tube or tub Paw Paw Ointment.   Look for high concentrates of Papaya Extract, at least 50mg/g.   And of course look for non-petrochem carriers, such as shea butter, macadamia oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil etc.

Most truly natural balms will proudly proclaim they are free from petroleum jelly, petrolatum or petrochemicals.

Have you got a Paw Paw Ointment in the house?  Go check the ingredients list and tell us what's in it - is it what you thought, or were you expecting it to be more natural?  Get chatting below!

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Comments

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18th May, 2023

Try this product In Awe Kakadu Plum & Beeswax Skin Ointment is ideal for dry & irritated skin, nappy rash, tattoo aftercare, cracked heels, dry lips, insect bites, after sun, minor burns and more... > https://inawe.com.au/product/kakadu-plum-beeswax-

3rd August, 2020

Never tried any pawpaw ointment yet, looks like I won’t be going to at all now! :D

2nd July, 2020

Yikes! I always assumed most paw paw products were natural

6th June, 2020

I use Vaseline (petroleum jelly) every day on my lips. It is one of the least irritating ingredients in skincare. Unfortunately it comes from an unsustainable source, but you would also want to check your plant oils are from sustainable sources too.

3rd June, 2020

After i found there were petroleum jelly in them, i just stopped using them.

31st May, 2020

I reckon its a placebo affect type of product, everyone sings its praises them you think its the best thing since sliced bread too. But i ditched mine when i read a similar article years ago and i wont buy it again!

31st May, 2020

The Sukin brand paw paw has no petroleum in it and it’s amazing! Highly recommend.

30th May, 2020

We avoid anything petroleum based in our house so no pawpaw here

29th May, 2020

I used it once, years ago, them found out it was petroleum based.

29th May, 2020

I remember when everyone was buying this stuff. I don't think I joined in on the trend

28th May, 2020

Great tips, thanks! Never knew!

27th May, 2020

I did try this out a while ago . But I didn’t stick to using it . I found it did nothing for me .

27th May, 2020

I have used Sukin and Suvana before but I don't use them now as they made my lips worse.

27th May, 2020

I never have used paw paw ointment. I heard about the craze for it some years ago but it never tickled my fancy as I never saw the point in buying it. Glad I stuck to my guns after reading this post

26th May, 2020

I use paw paw instead of vaseline when I use it because it's slightly better. But these days I tend to use neither.

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