Petroleum jelly

Petrolatum is derived from high-viscosity, paraffin-based crude oils. Petrolatums contain minute (or micro), crystalline waxes. Oil is occluded within and between these small crystals. Petrolatum contains both paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons; the olefinic hydrocarbons. Olefinic hydrocarbons give petrolatum its "slippery" (oleaginous) character.