You may be surprised to learn that products ranging from chocolate, vanilla ice cream, aspirin, to toothpaste, perfumes, cosmetics, and many other household items all contain ingredients derived from petroleum.
Petroleum – a common fossil fuel – not only provides the primary fuel for transportation, cooking, and heating, but it also plays a surprising role in many everyday products.
Petrochemicals derived from oil and natural gas are used in over 6,000 common items, spanning from food to beauty products. Below are 10 products containing petroleum that might surprise you.
1. Chocolate
The chocolate coating contains food-grade paraffin wax, derived from petroleum. (Source: Getty Images)
Chocolate coatings sometimes contain food-grade paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum, coal, or shale oil.
When mixed into chocolate, paraffin wax can provide a glossy finish when set and helps keep chocolate solid at higher temperatures due to its low melting point.
Food-grade paraffin wax also prevents chocolate from sticking to molds, making it easier to release the final product intact.
While paraffin is not digestible in the body, that does not mean it is unsafe. A 2023 study by the European Food Safety Authority found no safety concerns regarding food-grade paraffin wax.
2. Vanilla Ice Cream
The Vanillin flavoring in vanilla ice cream is derived from petroleum. (Source: Getty Images).
Synthetic oils derived from petroleum are often used in food flavorings such as vanilla, almond, and lemon.
These synthetic compounds can be designed to replicate specific flavors, providing a consistent taste that makes food smell appealing.
They are cheap and versatile, capable of creating many different flavors to meet consumer demands. For example, Benzaldehyde (almond flavor) and Vanillin (vanilla flavor) are both derived from petroleum.
3. Toothpaste
(Source: Getty Images)
Toothpaste may contain petroleum-derived derivatives such as polyethylene glycol, which are added for flavoring, antibacterial properties, and texture.
Additionally, some manufacturers use a petroleum-derived derivative called poloxamer 407 to help toothpaste dissolve in water, as well as sodium saccharin, an artificial sweetener derived from petroleum that helps eliminate plaque.
4. Perfumes and Cosmetics
(Source: Getty Images)
When you apply perfume to your wrist, it is likely that you are applying ingredients derived from the remains of small marine plants and animals (plankton) that lived on ancient seafloors 10 to 600 million years ago, rather than pure natural essential oils.
Many perfumes use oils derived from petroleum instead of natural essential oils to create their fragrances.
For example, Iso E Super has an amber wood scent, while Hedione provides a jasmine scent. Galaxolide, another synthetic oil, has a musky aroma.
These compounds help prolong the lifespan of fragrances and have a longer scent retention than natural essential oils.
Furthermore, a significant portion of today’s beauty products, such as lipsticks and eyeliners, are also produced from petroleum-derived substances like acrylates, coal tar, and propylene glycol.
5. Paint
(Source: Getty Images)
Adding synthetic polymers to paint enhances its water resistance and durability – and these plastics are made from oil.
Oil-based paints tend to adhere better to surfaces and are less prone to cracking than other natural paints, which is why they are commonly used for painting steel surfaces.
Synthetic oil also allows for a wider range of colors; however, as the paint ages or dries, it can peel off.
Some paints are actually formulated with ingredients that are over 1/3 plastic. According to a report from the World Economic Forum, the volume of microplastics from paint on steel surfaces entering the oceans each year can reach up to 1.5-2.25 million tons, equivalent to 150-225 billion empty plastic bottles.
6. Aspirin
(Source: iStock)
Aspirin has been proven to be one of the safest and most reliable medications over the past decades. This drug is effective for treating headaches, fevers, and helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and strokes.
The acetylsalicylic acid in Aspirin is also effective for pain relief. Most aspirin is produced from benzene – a hydrocarbon extracted from petroleum.
Additionally, many other tablet medications are coated with plastics to prevent the pills from sticking together and make them easier to swallow. Synthetic ingredients also help preserve the active ingredient, extending the product’s shelf life.
7. Laxatives
Laxatives are made from polyethylene glycol, a petroleum product also found in toothpaste.
Polyethylene glycol pulls water into the colon, making stools softer and facilitating easier bowel movements.
According to Harvard Health, some laxatives contain mineral oil, which can be extracted from petroleum and forms a slick coating in the intestines.
8. Vaseline
(Source: Getty Images)
Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, is a derivative of crude oil obtained during the distillation of heavy crude oil and subsequently refined through multiple processes.
Vaseline has a thick, smooth, odorless consistency and is widely used for various purposes, especially for skin protection and moisturization.
In the cosmetics industry, Vaseline is used to produce eye creams, skin moisturizers, lip balms, and body lotions.
In the pharmaceutical sector, Vaseline is mainly used to manufacture ointments for burns, dry skin, cracked hands and feet, chapped lips, and cracked heels.
9. Shaving Cream
(Source: Getty Images)
Shaving cream contains oil in a form called isopentane, which is derived from crude oil. Isopentane helps break down sebum or grease on the skin and causes hair to stand upright, making it easier to shave cleanly.
Additionally, shaving products often use polyethylene glycol, which is also used in laxatives and sexual lubricants. It is flexible and stable, creating a protective barrier on the skin to reduce friction and irritation.
10. Air Freshener Essential Oils
Air fresheners like scented wax and essential oil diffusers often contain oils derived from petroleum to create pleasant scents that can last longer and are more stable than natural oils.
These synthetic oils are designed to mimic popular fragrances and can be formulated to release gradually over time, retaining their scent for longer periods.
