glycerol + petrolatum

Glycerol + petrolatum is a topical combination of two emollient agents commonly used in creams and ointments to improve skin hydration and barrier function. Glycerol (also known as glycerin) acts primarily as a humectant, drawing water into the outer layer of the skin to increase moisture content. Petrolatum (also known as petroleum jelly or white petrolatum) functions mainly as an occlusive agent, forming a protective barrier on the skin surface that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL). When combined, these ingredients provide synergistic effects—glycerol enhances skin hydration while petrolatum improves barrier integrity by reducing water loss. This combination is widely used for treating dry or irritated skin conditions such as xerosis, eczema, minor burns, diaper rash, and other forms of dermatitis[1][7][8][9]. The mechanism of action is physical rather than pharmacological; both components act locally on the stratum corneum without systemic absorption.

Other names

glycerin + petrolatumglycerol and petrolatum