In English, Vaseline is commonly known as petroleum jelly.
Understanding Petroleum Jelly
Based on the provided reference from a French–English dictionary, vaseline translates directly to petroleum jelly.
- Petroleum jelly is described as:
- A soft substance.
- Obtained from petroleum.
- Used, for example, in ointments.
Petroleum jelly is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons that is derived from petroleum. It is widely used in various applications due to its moisturizing and protective properties.
Common Uses
Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) has many practical uses:
- Skin Protection: Forms a protective barrier on the skin, helping to prevent moisture loss.
- Minor Cuts and Scrapes: Can be applied to minor wounds to keep them moist and protected.
- Chapped Lips: Helps soothe and heal dry, chapped lips.
- Dry Skin: Effective for moisturizing dry areas like elbows, knees, and feet.
While "Vaseline" is a specific brand name, it has become a generic term often used to refer to petroleum jelly in general, much like "Kleenex" for facial tissues. However, the scientific and general English term for the substance is petroleum jelly.
