The name ‘Vaseline’ seems to be derived from the German word Wasser (water) and from the Greek elaion (elaion), which means ‘oil’ (there is no clearer explanation available). ‘Vaseline’ was a registered trademark for an American firm, Chesebrough-Ponds, and was initially manufactured at Chesebrough, in 1871, from Pennsylvania’s crude oils. Nowadays, the word ‘Vaseline’ is widely used as a generic term (free use name).

As mineral oil, petrolatum belongs to the class of hydrocarbons, obtained from petroleum, lignite and coal. Vaseline is a clear liquid, colorless and insoluble in water. Vaseline is used: as an ointment base; leather grease; lubricant; stainless agent (to protect metal components exposed outdoors throughout the year); shoe polish; as a waterproofing agent in textile chemistry, fabric protector (tent canvas); as a softener in the rubber industry; as solder paste; as fat for the udder and for wire drawing; and as a polishing paste. In the cosmetics industry, Vaseline is used for hair care (shampoo, hair lotion).