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.

• Technical (industrial) petrolatum has a wide range of applications. Some examples: rubber processing aids; printing inks; carbon papers; buffing and polishing compounds; shoe polishes; corrosion preventatives; solder pastes; candles; dust control.
• For uses in close contact with human skin (pharmaceuticals, for example) petrolatum must be refined (USP grade). USP petrolatum has a specific gravity of 0.815-0.865 at 60°C.
• Crucial characteristics of the "pets" (of which Vaseline is one example) include: 1) melting points; 2) penetration or hardness; 3) color; 4) viscosity.