What is Vaseline gauze dressing?

Vaseline gauze dressing (also called paraffin gauze, tulle gras, or petroleum gauze) is a woven cotton gauze impregnated with white soft paraffin (petroleum jelly / Vaseline). The paraffin impregnation makes the dressing non-adherent to the wound surface, preventing the gauze from sticking to granulating tissue during healing. It is one of the oldest and most widely used wound contact dressings in clinical practice, applied as a primary wound contact layer over which secondary absorbent dressings are placed.

What is the difference between Vaseline gauze and paraffin gauze?

Vaseline gauze and paraffin gauze refer to the same product — a woven gauze impregnated with white soft paraffin (petroleum jelly). 'Vaseline gauze' uses the brand name Vaseline (a trademark of Unilever for white soft paraffin). 'Paraffin gauze' is the generic pharmacopoeia term used in the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) and most clinical and procurement specifications. Other names include tulle gras (from the French original), petroleum gauze, and soft paraffin gauze. For procurement purposes, always specify 'white soft paraffin' as the impregnation material to ensure the product is free of additives or antimicrobial agents unless these are specifically required.

What are the clinical uses of Vaseline gauze dressing?

Vaseline gauze (paraffin gauze) is indicated as a primary wound contact layer for: superficial burns and scalds, split-thickness skin graft donor sites, skin graft recipient sites, superficial abrasions and lacerations, leg ulcers (as a contact layer under compression), post-surgical wounds, traumatic wounds with granulating tissue, and donor site management in reconstructive surgery. It is contraindicated for heavily infected wounds without concurrent antimicrobial treatment, and should not be used as the only dressing on heavily exuding wounds without an adequate secondary absorbent layer.

What specifications should I look for when procuring Vaseline gauze?

A complete Vaseline gauze procurement specification should include: paraffin content by weight (typically 175g per m² for BP compliance, or stated as weight ratio), gauze base fabric thread count (minimum 19×15 per cm² for woven cotton), gauze weight (GSM), available sizes (typically 5×5cm, 10×10cm, 10×40cm strips), sterile or non-sterile presentation, sterilization method if sterile (EO per ISO 11135 or gamma per ISO 11137), shelf life, packaging format (individually wrapped or bulk), and standard compliance (BP Appendix XI T for paraffin gauze, or equivalent).

Is Vaseline gauze Halal-compliant for GCC markets?

Standard Vaseline gauze (white soft paraffin gauze) is impregnated with petroleum-derived paraffin, which is not of animal origin and is generally considered Halal-compliant without specific certification. However, some GCC institutional tenders — particularly in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait — may require a formal Halal declaration or certificate for medical dressings. When supplying to GCC markets, request a material origin declaration from your supplier confirming the paraffin source is petroleum-derived (not animal-derived), and confirm whether a formal Halal certificate is required in your specific tender specification.

Kingphar Medical Group

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3/4 2026

Vaseline Gauze Dressing: Specifications, Clinical Uses & Procurement Guide 2026

Medical Gauze · Product Specification Guide

Vaseline Gauze Dressing:
Specifications, Clinical Uses
& Procurement Guide 2026

Vaseline gauze (paraffin gauze / tulle gras) is one of the most widely used wound contact dressings globally — but specifications vary significantly between suppliers. This guide covers paraffin content requirements, gauze base fabric specifications, clinical indications, sterile vs non-sterile considerations, and how to write a compliant procurement specification.

What is Vaseline gauze BP specifications Clinical indications Sterile vs non-sterile Procurement checklist GCC & Halal considerations

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Content Auditor & Content Operations · Kingphar Medical

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Product type

Non-adherent

Primary wound contact layer — paraffin prevents gauze from sticking to granulating tissue

BP paraffin content

175 g/m²

Minimum white soft paraffin content per British Pharmacopoeia specification

Base gauze thread count

19×15/cm²

Minimum warp × weft thread count for the woven cotton base fabric

Primary indication

Burns & grafts

Most widely used for burns, skin graft donor/recipient sites, and superficial wounds

Vaseline gauze dressing — also called paraffin gauze, tulle gras, or petroleum gauze — is a woven cotton gauze fabric impregnated with white soft paraffin (petroleum jelly). The paraffin impregnation serves one primary clinical function: preventing the gauze from adhering to the wound surface. This non-adherent property makes it the standard primary wound contact layer for burns, skin graft sites, and superficial wounds where trauma during dressing changes must be minimized.

Despite its long clinical history and apparent simplicity, Vaseline gauze procurement involves meaningful specification decisions — paraffin content, gauze fabric weight, sterility, and packaging — that significantly affect clinical performance and regulatory compliance. This guide addresses each specification parameter for procurement managers sourcing for hospitals, distributors, and institutional buyers. For gauze fabric specifications generally, see our Medical Gauze Complete Buyer's Guide and EN 14079 Standard Guide.

Section 01

Terminology: Vaseline Gauze, Paraffin Gauze & Tulle Gras

Several names describe the same fundamental product — procurement managers need to recognise all of them to avoid specification confusion when sourcing from different markets:

Term	Common market	Notes
Vaseline gauze	North America, Asia, GCC	"Vaseline" is a brand name (Unilever) for white soft paraffin. Generic equivalent: petroleum gauze or paraffin gauze
Paraffin gauze	UK, Europe, GCC tenders	Generic pharmacopoeia term — used in British Pharmacopoeia (BP) and most European procurement specifications
Tulle gras	UK, Commonwealth, France	French term meaning "greasy net" — historically used in WWI wound care. Still referenced in some UK clinical protocols
Petroleum gauze	North America	US equivalent — white soft paraffin = petroleum jelly. Referenced in some USP specifications
Soft paraffin gauze	Clinical / pharmacy	Descriptive term clarifying the impregnation material — useful when distinguishing from medicated paraffin gauze variants
Non-adherent paraffin dressing	Procurement / tender	Functional description used in some GCC and European institutional tender specifications

Plain vs medicated paraffin gauze

Standard Vaseline/paraffin gauze contains only white soft paraffin — no antimicrobial agents. Medicated variants include Chlorhexidine acetate paraffin gauze (Bactigras), framycetin sulfate (Sofra-Tulle), and chlortetracycline (Aureomycin gauze). These are distinct products with different clinical indications, regulatory classification, and procurement requirements. When writing specifications, always state "non-medicated white soft paraffin gauze" to avoid ambiguity.

Section 02

Product Specifications: What the British Pharmacopoeia Requires

The British Pharmacopoeia (BP) specification for paraffin gauze dressing is the most widely referenced standard in European and GCC institutional procurement. BP Appendix XI T (Paraffin Gauze Dressing) defines the following requirements:

BP paraffin gauze dressing — specification requirements

Base fabricWoven cotton gauze — 100% absorbent cotton

Thread countMinimum 19 warp × 15 weft threads per cm²

Impregnation materialWhite soft paraffin (white petroleum jelly)

Paraffin contentNot less than 175 g per m² of dressing

Paraffin melting pointWhite soft paraffin must meet BP monograph — typically 38–60°C

AdditivesNone — non-medicated product

SterilitySterile presentations must comply with BP sterility test

Shelf lifeTypically 3–5 years — state on packaging

Paraffin content variation between suppliers — the key quality differentiator

The 175 g/m² paraffin content is a minimum, not a target. Products with low paraffin content (close to the minimum) will have areas of less complete impregnation, leading to partial gauze adherence to the wound — defeating the primary clinical purpose. High-quality products typically contain 200–250 g/m² paraffin. Always request the actual measured paraffin content from your supplier's batch CoA, not just a statement of "meets BP 175 g/m² minimum."

Standard sizes and packaging formats

Common Vaseline gauze sizes and presentations

5 cm × 5 cmSmall wound coverage, pediatric use, IV/catheter sites

10 cm × 10 cmStandard adult wound — most commonly procured size

10 cm × 40 cm (strip)Cavity packing, leg ulcer management, larger wound areas

10 cm × 30 cmAlternative strip format for some European and GCC tenders

Sterile — individual peel-open packHospital ward and clinical use — 1 piece per pack

Non-sterile — bulk tin or foil packPharmacy dispensing, minor injury, some home care applications

Section 03

Clinical Indications and Contraindications

✓ Indicated uses

Superficial burns (first and second degree) — primary contact layer preventing adherence during re-epithelialization
Split-thickness skin graft donor sites — protects the raw dermal surface and allows epithelialization without trauma on removal
Skin graft recipient sites — supports graft take by providing a stable, non-traumatic contact environment
Superficial lacerations and abrasions — as primary contact layer under secondary absorbent dressing
Leg ulcers (venous and arterial) — used as contact layer under compression bandaging system
Post-surgical wounds with granulating tissue — protects granulation during healing phase
Traumatic skin loss — road rash, degloving injuries during granulation phase

✗ Contraindications and cautions

Heavily infected wounds — paraffin gauze does not address infection; use antimicrobial dressings or add antimicrobial treatment
Heavily exuding wounds without adequate secondary dressing — paraffin gauze has minimal absorbency; must be combined with absorbent secondary layer
Deep cavity wounds — standard sizes may not provide adequate contact coverage; packing strips are preferred
Known petroleum allergy or sensitivity — rare but documented; patch test may be advisable in susceptible patients
Wounds requiring moist wound healing with active moisture management — paraffin gauze is passive; modern foam or hydrocolloid dressings may be more appropriate

Section 04

Sterile vs Non-Sterile: When Each Applies

Vaseline gauze is available in both sterile and non-sterile presentations. The clinical decision between them follows the same principles as other wound contact dressings:

Parameter	Sterile Vaseline gauze	Non-sterile Vaseline gauze
Sterilization	EO (ISO 11135) or gamma (ISO 11137) — SAL 10⁻⁶	Not sterilized — microbial limit testing only
Packaging	Individual peel-open sterile pack — foil or paper/film	Bulk tin, foil wrap, or multi-piece pack
Clinical use	Direct contact with open wounds, burns, surgical sites, immunocompromised patients	Minor wounds in low-risk patients; pharmacy dispensing
Regulatory	CE marking required (EU MDR); SFDA registration for Saudi Arabia	CE marking required; SFDA registration for Saudi Arabia
Shelf life impact	Sterilization process may affect paraffin — confirm with supplier	Typically longer shelf life in sealed packaging
GCC / hospital tender	Sterile required for institutional supply in most GCC tenders	Not acceptable for most GCC institutional tenders
Cost	Higher — sterilization and individual packaging add cost	Lower — bulk packaging, no sterilization cost

EO vs gamma sterilization for paraffin gauze

Both EO (ethylene oxide) and gamma irradiation are used for sterilizing paraffin gauze. Gamma irradiation can affect white soft paraffin at high doses — some suppliers report slight color or consistency changes. EO sterilization avoids this issue but requires adequate aeration time to remove residual EO. When procuring sterile paraffin gauze, confirm with your supplier which sterilization method is used and request validation data confirming the paraffin properties are maintained post-sterilization.

Section 05

GCC Market Considerations

SFDA registration

Vaseline gauze dressing is classified as a medical device in Saudi Arabia and requires SFDA registration for institutional supply. As a non-medicated wound dressing (no active pharmaceutical ingredient), it is typically classified as Class A (low risk) under SFDA classification — the simplest registration pathway. However, registration still requires an authorized representative in Saudi Arabia, a valid CE certificate, Free Sale Certificate, and Arabic labeling. See our SFDA Medical Device Registration Guide for the complete process.

Halal considerations

Standard paraffin gauze is impregnated with white soft paraffin — a petroleum-derived material with no animal origin. This makes standard Vaseline gauze generally Halal-compliant without specific certification. However, some GCC institutional tenders — particularly in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait — may request a material origin declaration or formal Halal confirmation. Request a written material origin declaration from your supplier confirming petroleum derivation before submitting to tenders with Halal requirements. For our full discussion of Halal certification for medical consumables, see our Medical Gauze for GCC & Saudi Arabia guide.

Arabic labeling

All medical devices sold in Saudi Arabia must carry Arabic labeling. For sterile paraffin gauze, the Arabic label must include: product name in Arabic, intended use, manufacturer details, authorized representative in KSA, lot number, manufacturing date, expiry date, storage conditions, sterilization method, and SFDA registration number post-approval.

Section 06

Procurement Specification Checklist

A complete Vaseline gauze procurement specification should include all of the following parameters. Missing any one gives suppliers room to supply a lower-quality product that technically meets a partial specification.

Impregnation material specified as "white soft paraffin" (non-medicated) — prevents supply of medicated variants (chlorhexidine, framycetin) which have different clinical indications and higher cost
Paraffin content — minimum 175 g/m² per BP, with actual measured value on CoA — do not accept "meets BP minimum" without a numeric CoA value; request the actual g/m² from the batch CoA
Base gauze thread count — minimum 19×15 threads per cm² — low thread count base fabric will have poor paraffin retention and may adhere to wounds even when paraffin content is adequate
Size specified in both cm and inches — e.g. "10×10 cm (4×4 inch)" — prevents unit confusion when sourcing internationally
Sterile or non-sterile — if sterile, specify method and SAL 10⁻⁶ — most GCC institutional tenders require sterile; specify EO or gamma sterilization method
Packaging — individual peel-open sterile pack or bulk format — for hospital ward supply, individual peel-open packs are standard; confirm pieces per pack and packs per box
Minimum shelf life at delivery — 36 months minimum — paraffin gauze with short remaining shelf life creates rapid replacement cost; confirm manufacturing-to-shipment cycle against product shelf life
CE marking under EU MDR 2017/745 — scope must cover paraffin gauze — verify CE certificate references MDR not the expired MDD; scope must specifically include impregnated gauze dressings
For GCC supply — SFDA registration confirmation and Arabic labeling capability — confirm supplier has or can support SFDA registration and can produce Arabic-labeled packaging

Related guides

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Kingphar manufactures sterile and non-sterile paraffin gauze in standard and custom sizes — CE-certified, BP-compliant, with batch CoA showing actual paraffin content measurements. GCC market experience including SFDA registration support and Arabic labeling.

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Content Auditor & Content Operations · Kingphar Medical

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