Petrolatum

Seems to be a main ingredient in most hair products, but what the hell is it?  Sounds like Vaseline, cause it is derived from petroleum jelly.. The dictionary says its a purified mixture of semisolid hydrocarbons used as an ointment base, protective dressing, and a soothing application to the skin.  Huh, well I'm not going to teach chemistry class here.. but what does that mean for hair?  

It's known to slow the loss of water from skin by forming a barrier.. That barrier probably works both ways and if you have a heavy dose of strong pomade on and go swimming it feels like you're going to pop out of the water with your hairs still in place.  It's pretty much colorless and odorless and will last forever like that gigantic can of Vaseline that's been sitting in your grandparents cabinet since the 70s.  These characteristics, plus a little bit of stickiness make it a good ingredient for hair products and many other things.

Way back in the day, when it was first incorporated into hair product, it replaced beef, lard, olive oil, cocoa butter and other fats that would spoil over time.

Found this little quote here..

Petroleum jelly is much used in pomade manufacture. In fact, petroleum jelly, like all hydrocarbons of like nature, does not turn rancid, and only requires a relatively small amount of aromatic material in order to acquire a very pleasant perfume, and, if a little soft, can easily be hardened by a slight addition of beeswax, or, better still, of ceresine, without modifying the basic products. Further, petroleum jelly is an efficient lubricant and does not mat the hair to the same extent as oxidisable fatty oils; thus its role is clearly defined in this part of the manufacture, and if we do not advise its exclusive use, it is because its action on the hair is not quite the same as natural fats. Petroleum jelly will often appear in the formulae, concurrently with pomade bases, and for certain purposes we shall point out some instances where petroleum jelly is the only vehicle employed.

(Durvelle, 1923. p. 274)

They say that skin absorbs up to 60% of products into the bloodstream and that can reduce the oxygen coming into the skin.. so petrolatum can somewhat suffocate the skin.  Kind of scary thinking this shit might be sinking into my brain if I'm putting it in my hair every day.. but I think that's more for people straight rubbing it on their skin, it would still have to slide down the hairs into the scalp to make it in there.  They also say it can cause photosensitivity and sun damage by interfering with the body's natural moisturizing mechanisms.  I think it's kind of like chapstick, the more you use it the more you need it..  well that's enough from me about this.  Something to think about.