Petroleum. It’s not just the stuff that powers your car or heats your home. This ubiquitous fossil fuel is the secret ingredient behind some of the most surprising everyday items. From the chocolate we savor to the toothpaste we use, petroleum is everywhere, hidden in plain sight.

In fact, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, petroleum products are essential for our modern way of life, contributing to everything from transportation and energy to consumer goods and pharmaceuticals.

In this journey, we’ll explore the fascinating, sometimes unsettling beauty of petroleum and its unexpected roles in our daily lives.

Let’s dive into this slick adventure and discover the secrets lurking in our homes.

Sweet Surprises: The Delicious Secrets of Petroleum

• Chocolate: The Shiny Secret

  • Who doesn’t love chocolate? But did you know that the glossy sheen on your favorite chocolate bar might come from petroleum? Food-grade paraffin wax, derived from petroleum, gives chocolate its shiny finish and keeps it solid at higher temperatures. It also helps prevent chocolate from sticking to molds, making your treats perfect every time. And don’t worry, this wax passes through your body without harm. It’s a small, hidden ingredient that makes your chocolate experience delightful.

• Vanilla Ice Cream: A Petrochemical Treat

  • Next time you indulge in a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream, think petroleum. Synthetic oils from petroleum, like vanillin, replicate the vanilla flavor you love. These synthetic flavors ensure your ice cream tastes consistently delicious, batch after batch. It’s an affordable way to enjoy your favorite treat, thanks to a bit of petrochemical magic.

Daily Essentials: Petroleum in Your Morning Routine

• Toothpaste: The Slick Start to Your Day

  • When you squeeze that toothpaste onto your brush, you’re starting your day with a touch of petroleum. Ingredients like polyethylene glycol and poloxamer 407, both derived from petroleum, help your toothpaste dissolve in water, fight bacteria, and taste great. Even the sweet taste of sodium saccharin comes from petroleum. It’s a refreshing start, courtesy of the unseen hand of petrochemicals.

• Shaving Cream: Smooth Moves

  • A close shave in the morning involves more petroleum than you might think. Shaving cream contains isopentane, derived from crude oil, which helps break down skin oils and makes hair stand up for a cleaner shave. Polyethylene glycol reduces friction and irritation, making your shave smooth and comfortable. It’s a perfect example of how petroleum ensures you start your day looking sharp.

• Perfume: The Fragrance of Fossils

  • Your favorite perfume might contain the essence of ancient life. Petroleum-derived oils like Iso E Super and Galaxolide create long-lasting, distinctive scents. These synthetic oils mimic natural fragrances but with more consistency and durability. So, when you spritz on your signature scent, you’re wearing a bit of history, transformed into an alluring aroma.

Unlikely Allies: Petroleum in Unexpected Places

• Paint: The Colorful Canvas

  • The vibrant colors on your walls, car, or art projects owe their brilliance and durability to petroleum. Plastic polymers in paint, made from oil, make it water-resistant and long-lasting. These polymers help paint adhere better to surfaces and offer a broader range of colors. However, as paint ages, it can flake off, contributing to microplastic pollution—a stark reminder of petroleum’s double-edged sword.

• Pills: Easier to Swallow

  • Swallowing pills is smoother with a bit of petroleum. Many pills are coated in plastic derived from oil, making them easier to swallow and preventing them from sticking together. These synthetic coatings also protect the active ingredients, extending the shelf life of your medication. It’s a tiny touch of petrochemicals that makes a big difference in your health routine.

• Petroleum Jelly: The Healing Touch

  • Petroleum jelly, a household staple, is literally derived from petroleum. This versatile product soothes dry skin, protects wounds, and even helps with post-tattoo healing. Made from petrolatum, a byproduct of crude oil, it’s refined to be safe and effective for your skin. It’s a simple yet powerful way petroleum helps us heal and protect ourselves.

• Laxatives: A Smooth Journey

  • Even laxatives owe their effectiveness to petroleum. Polyethylene glycol, a petroleum product, is used in laxatives to draw water into your colon, making stool softer. Some laxatives also contain mineral oil, another petroleum derivative, which helps ensure everything moves smoothly. It’s an essential, if unglamorous, part of petroleum’s role in our daily lives.

• Air Fresheners: Lasting Freshness

  • Want your home to smell fresh and inviting? Petroleum’s got your back. Many air fresheners use petroleum-derived oils to create long-lasting scents. These synthetic oils mimic natural fragrances and are designed to release gradually, keeping your home smelling great for longer. It’s another unexpected way petroleum enhances our living spaces.

Embracing the Unseen

So there you have it—petroleum’s unseen influence in our lives, from the delicious to the essential to the unexpected. It’s a reminder of the complex, often hidden world of petrochemicals that shape our everyday experiences.

Next time you savor a piece of chocolate, brush your teeth, or enjoy your favorite perfume, take a moment to appreciate the remarkable journey of petroleum that makes these moments possible. It’s a slick, fascinating world, and we’re all part of it.

Watch a video

How Is Petroleum Refined? This video by the American Chemical Society explains the complex process of refining crude oil into usable products.