10 Amazing Things Made from Oil

Oil is a ubiquitous fossil fuel, but it’s not just used to fuel our cars and heat our homes. It plays an invisible, surprising role in many everyday products we’ve never imagined. Petrochemicals, derived from oil and natural gas, are Over 6,000 From food to beauty products, here are 10 products you probably didn’t know were made from petroleum.

Related: The end of oil is near. Here’s what it’ll look like

chocolate

Chocolate Coating It may also contain food-grade paraffin wax. From petroleum, coal, and shale oil. when Mix into chocolateChocolate wax gives chocolate a glossy shine when it hardens, and its low melting point helps keep chocolate solid at high temperatures. It also prevents chocolate from sticking to molds, making it easier to remove the finished product intact. Although edible wax remains indigestible in the body, that doesn’t mean it’s unsafe. A 2023 study by the European Food Safety Authority found that: Safety concerns Related to oil-based foods.

tooth paste

In toothpaste Petroleum DerivativesPolyethylene glycols, like polyethylene glycol, are added for a variety of reasons, including flavor, antibacterial properties, and texture. In addition, some manufacturers Poloxamer 407 It also contains sodium saccharin, a petroleum-derived artificial sweetener that helps the toothpaste dissolve in water and kills plaque.

perfume

Wearing perfume or cologne on your wrist is like wearing the bones of a long-dead animal on your body. Many perfumes use oils derived from petroleum, not natural essential oils. For example, Iso E Super has a woody, amber-like scent, and Hedion has a jasmine scent. GalaxolideAnother synthetic oil, is known for its long-lasting base notes.

paint

Adding plastic polymers to paints makes them more water-resistant and durable. Plastics are made from oils. Plastic-based paints adhere better to surfaces and crack less than other natural materials. Synthetic oils allow for a wider range of colors. However, as the paint ages or dries, it will eventually flake off. Some paints are actually made of over 100 ingredients. One third is plasticAccording to reports, World Economic ForumIn particular, the amount of microplastics that enters waterways from paint on steel surfaces is equivalent to 150 to 225 billion plastic bottles.

tablet

Many tablets are Plastic coated This makes them easier to swallow and prevents the tablets from sticking together. Synthetic ingredients help prevent the active ingredients from degrading, giving the product a longer shelf life. However, natural alternatives do exist, according to a study by the National Library of Medicine. The synthetic Used for controlled release, environmental protection and taste masking.

Vanilla ice cream

Petroleum-derived synthetic oil It is often used as a flavoring in food. Like vanillaalmond, lemon. These synthetic compounds can be engineered to replicate specific flavors, providing a consistent taste profile from batch to batch. They are inexpensive and versatile, allowing a wide range of flavors to be created to meet consumer demand. Benzaldehyde (Almond flavor) Vanillin For example, (vanilla flavoring) are both derived from petroleum.

Vaseline

Vaseline is a widely used product for a variety of purposes, especially to protect and moisturize the skin. From soothing dry, cracked skin to acting as a protective barrier after a tattoo, this humble product is widely popular. As its name suggests, Vaseline is made from natural gas and petroleum. Crude oil is first distilled to separate it into various components, one of which is a heavy, waxy substance called petrolatum. This substance is further refined and refined to create usable petroleum jelly.

laxative

Laxatives are made from polyethylene glycol, a petroleum product also found in toothpaste. Polyethylene glycol draws water into the colon, softening stool so it’s easier to pass through the toilet. Some laxatives also contain mineral oil. According to Harvard HealthIt is derived from petroleum and forms a slippery coating in the intestines.

Shaving cream

Shaving cream contains an oil called isopentane. Derived from crude oilIsopentane breaks down sebum, an oily substance on human skin, and makes hair stand up for easier shaving. Shaving products also often contain polyethylene glycol, which is also used in laxatives and sexual lubricants. It is versatile and stable, forming a protective barrier on the skin to reduce friction and irritation.

aromatic

Air fresheners often contain oils derived from petroleum. Creates a pleasant scent Longer-lasting and more scent-retaining than natural oils: These synthetic oils are designed to mimic popular scents and are formulated to be gradually released over time, resulting in longer-lasting scents.

Anna Mattsson is a freelance science journalist based in Seattle, Washington. You can see more of her work at:annamattson.comOr follow her on X@annamatson9.