We hypothesize that Vaseline is the best option among our chosen lotions because it has a very thick consistency and most likely will not evaporate away as fast as the other moisturizers will. Vaseline is also one of the bestselling lotions in the market.  

Background Research 

Our skin is the biggest organ in our body. The skin is broken into three different layers which are the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The outer layer which is the epidermis its function is to protect the inner part of our skin. This is when the cells die over and over again and the replenish right away. The dermis layer of our skin is the thickest layer because it contains all the blood cells, sweat glands and hair follicles. The hypodermis is the layer which is under the dermis. This layer connects to the skin to our muscles and bones. Another reason why skin is very important is because it protects us from infections and diseases which are caused by viruses and bacteria. Skin also protects us from the sun. That’s why it is important to take care of the skin because it takes care of us in a variety of ways. 

JELL-O is being used as a skin replacement due to JELL-O having a gel-like texture that can be dehydrated and rehydrated, comparable to how skin can lose, gain or retain moisture also how JELL-O just like skin is made of Collagen and Water. The gel like structure of JELL-O has similar properties and structure as the upper layers of human skin. JELL-O is a simple yet better way that can be used to replicate skin and how it behaves when exposed to environmental factors and different skin care products. Another reason we have decided to use Jell-O as the skin demonstration is because it has gelatin in it and gelatin is often referred to as collagen. Collagens contain a group of fibrous proteins that are also found in human and animal tissue. Collagen is found under the dermis layer. It helps connect and support our tissues. 

It is very important to use body lotions because body lotions/ moisturizers are a skincare product designed to hydrate and nourish the skin. Here are a few reasons why using body lotions can be beneficial for our skin:  

Prevention of dry skin: dry skin can occur due to various factors, such as cold weather, low humidity, or frequent bathing. Body lotions create a protective barrier on the skin, sealing in moisture in the skin. Softer and smoother skin: if the right amount of lotion is used your skin will benefit by having smooth, soft skin. This is because the ingredients in lotion help improve the rough texture of the skin, making it softer and supple.  

Relief from itchiness: dry skin with lead to itchiness, if you use the right lotion, it will provide serious relief by moisturizing the skin and reducing the sensation of itchiness.  

Enhanced Skin Tone: body lotions many contain ingredients that can help even out skin tone and reduce the number of blemishes, giving the skin a more radiant look. 

Anti-Aging benefits: certain body lotions contain ingredients such as antioxidants and collagen-boosting compounds that may help reduce the signs of aging, such as wrinkles and find lines. 

Why is it bad to have dry skin? 

Dry skin can lead to several uncomfortable and potentially problematic issues. Such as: 

Discomfort and itchiness: dry skin is often associated with itching and discomfort. The lack of moisture can cause the skin to become tight, rough, and prone to irritation, leading to an itching sensation. 

Flakiness and peeling: when the skin lacks proper moisture, it can start to flake and peel. This not only affects the appearance of the skin but can also be bothersome and make the skin a lot more susceptible to infections and illnesses. 

Increased sensitivity: dry skin tends to be more sensitive, making it more prone to redness and inflammation. This heightened sensitivity can make your skin more reactive to skincare products and environmental factors. 

Exacerbation of skin conditions: dry skin can worsen certain skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. Individuals with these conditions often experience flare-ups when their skin is not adequately moisturized.  

Worsening of allergies: dry skin can be more susceptible to allergens. When the skin is dry and compromised, it may react more strongly to allergens in the environment, leading to increased allergic reactions.  

Unsightly appearance: having dry skin can make your skin look dull, flaky, and uneven. This can affect the overall appearance and the texture of the skin, potentially impacting one’s confidence and self-esteem. 

Vaseline is a very good moisturizer/ petroleum jelly because Vaseline, also known as petroleum jelly, is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons, having a melting point usually within a few degrees of body temperature. It is a versatile product that has been used for various purposes for over a century. Vaseline was discovered by Robert Augustus Chesebrough, a chemist, in 1859. Chesebrough. During his research, Chesebrough observed his co-workers were using a gooey substance, which they called "rod wax" or "rod wax jelly," to heal cuts and burns on their skin. Vaseline is the best because the main ingredient in Vaseline is petroleum jelly, which is derived from petroleum, a fossil fuel which creates an ointment to treat cuts, burns, and skin irritations. Over the years, people have found various uses for Vaseline, including as a moisturizer, lip balm, makeup remover, and to prevent chafing. 

 There are many different types of variables: 

Independant variable: The amount of time we let the Jell-O sit 

Dependent variable: The heavier it gets the more time we leave it out for 

Controlled variable: The amount of Jell-O and lotions in the petri dishes  

Continuous variable: The temperature of the room we leave the petri dishes in 

1: Collect all materials  

2: Pour 1000 ml of water into a pot 

3: Turn the heat of the stove on to high 

4: Let the water reach to a boil 

5: After water is done boiling turn off the heat 

6: In a separate bowl add 4 packets of Jell-o powder 

7: Add boiling water to the bowl 

8: Then add 1000 ml of cold water to the bowl 

9: Stir until there are no clumps in the mixture 

10: Take the Jell-O mixture and add 2 tablespoons to 33 petri dishes each 

11: Carefully set the petri dishes in the fridge at a temperature of 3 degrees Celsius  

12: After 24 hours carefully remove petri dishes from the fridge 

13: Weigh each petri dish with Jell-O and record it 

14: Add 1 tablespoon of each lotion for trials 1,2 and 3 

15: Spread lotion with spatula evenly on petri dish with Jell-o 

16: Weigh each lotion and record  

17: Record every hour for the first 3 hours 

18: Record every Petri dish at 12 hours 

19: Record every petri dish at 24 hours 

20: Record every petri dish at 48 hours 

21: Record every petri dish at 60 hours 

22: Compare the results of each of them to find how much Jell-O has evaporated away. 

If you apply our experiment in real world experiences such as 

• Providing information to consumers with evidence-based results to help them select lotions for dry skin  

• Assisting dermatologists and professionals in healthcare in recommending the best skincare products with people that have dry skin conditions 

• Guiding the future of better and improved formulas for skincare products to help people with other skin conditions (phoresies, acne, eczema, hives, and skin cancer 

Our sources of error are: 

- How the lotion was dealt with before we bought the lotion and the Jell-O

- The temperature of the stores 

- The original bacteria before we bought the lotions or Jell-O 

• https://skinkraft.com/blogs/articles/body-lotion 

• https://www.vaseline.com/za/en/articles/skin-types/petroleum-jelly-pros-cons-and-side-effects-for-facial-use.html 

• https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-skin  

• The Skinny on Moisturizers: Which Works Best to Keep Skin Moist? | Science Project (sciencebuddies.org) 

• Dry skin: Causes, treatments, prevention, and more (medicalnewstoday.com) 

• HSE - Skin at work: Work-related skin disease – Skin structure and function 

• Skin: Layers, Structure and Function (clevelandclinic.org) 

• What Is Jell-O Made of? (sentientmedia.org)