Petroleum jelly, or sometimes called hair grease when other ingredients are added, has been a staple in natural hair care for generations.
Many of us grew up using it to seal in moisture, soften dry ends, protect the scalp, smooth edges, and keep protective styles looking neat.
Today, however, many naturalistas are seeking plant-based alternatives that perform the same job without petrolatum, lanolin, or other additives.
This roundup focuses on products that are ideal for replacing petroleum jelly while still providing all the benefits for textured hair.
What Makes a Good Petroleum Jelly Alternative?
Petroleum jelly usually creates a protective barrier that helps reduce moisture loss.
A good plant-based alternative should do the same, while offering the added benefits of botanical ingredients. The best products should:-
- Seal moisture into the hair.
- Help soften dry ends.
- Moisturize the scalp.
- Smooth edges.
- Add shine.
- Work well with braids, twists, locs, wigs, and other short-term protective styles.
The Best Hair Jellies and Pomades to Replace Petroleum Jelly
1. Butter’d Bodycare Helly Jelly
Butter’d Bodycare’s Helly Jelly is one of the few products specifically designed as a plant-based alternative to petroleum jelly.
Its rich texture makes it ideal for sealing moisture into natural hair after applying a leave-in conditioner.
Key ingredients include castor oil, aloe vera oil, and vitamin E. This is a black-owned brand created by Brittany Bygrave.
2. Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade
Oyin Handmade has long been a trusted name in the natural hair community, and the Burnt Sugar Pomade remains one of its signature products.
This rich botanical pomade helps soften the hair while providing the type of moisture-sealing finish that many people previously relied on petroleum jelly to achieve.
Key ingredients include castor, hempseed, broccoli seed, coconut oil, and mango seed butter.
Another black-owned brand on the list, it was founded by Jamyla Bennu in her kitchen in 2001.
3. Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey
A longtime favorite among curl enthusiasts, Mimosa Hair Honey offers a lightweight pomade texture that helps smooth the hair while keeping it soft and manageable.
It works especially well for refreshing styles between wash days. Carol’s Daughter is also black-owned and was founded by Lisa Price in 1993.
Key ingredients include cocoa and shea butter, lavender, and sunflower oil.
4. TD Naturals Healthy Jelly
TD Naturals Healthy Jelly is made with nourishing plant-based ingredients and delivers the protective feel of a classic hair grease while fitting seamlessly into a natural hair routine.
Its smooth consistency makes it particularly useful for curls, coils, braids, twists, and locs.
Key ingredients include castor oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and vitamin E.
5. Waxelene Multi-Purpose Ointment
Waxelene was originally marketed for skin care, but its petrolatum-free balm consistency also makes it useful for protecting dry ends and sealing moisture into textured hair.
Key ingredients include soybean oil, beeswax, vitamin E oil, and rosemary oil.
6. VegaJelly
VegaJelly was formulated for people seeking a plant-based replacement for petroleum jelly. This jelly is composed of 100% vegetable oil.
7. Beesaluxe Veradone Plant-Powered Jelly
Veradone is crafted with castor and jojoba oil, cocoa butter, and a blend of botanical waxes.
This jelly delivers rich and lasting moisture without petroleum or parabens. This product is handcrafted by two Canadian sisters.
Alternatives Work Just as Well as Traditional Petroleum Jelly
Today’s brands of botanical jellies, pomades, and butters offer natural hair enthusiasts more choices than ever before.
Remember, these products are moisture sealants, which means they work best after you’ve added moisture with water or a water-based leave-in conditioner.
Have you tried any of these? Share in the comments section.
Abi is a curly hair expert, researcher, product tester, and author of the highly-rated Healthy Hair Care Series. She is also the founder of Ade Ori Hair Care, Healthy Natural Hair Products, and Natural Oils for Hair & Beauty. HNHP has strict editorial standards and ensures all the information on Healthy Natural Hair Products is the best for natural hair care. Learn more about our Editorial Policies