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Vaseline is a petroleum-based gel commonly used in skincare routines, home remedies, and in a variety of household projects. While there are a lot of misconceptions about what Vaseline is and isn't good for, learning when it's appropriate and when it's inappropriate to use Vaseline will make sure you get all the benefits and none of the drawbacks of using this product. Learn how to incorporate Vaseline into your beauty routine, into your household chores, and when to avoid Vaseline and find a different product instead.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 19:Use Vaseline to soften rough skin.
Method 1
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1Vaseline locks in moisture on dry skin.[1] You can use Vaseline as a spot-treatment for dry skin, especially during winter, helping to protect skin exposed to adverse weather conditions.
- Apply Vaseline to your elbows or knees to help moisturize the skin and rid the areas of any ashy texture or appearance.
- If you have callouses or rough spots on your feet, apply a thin coat of Vaseline at night then slip on some clean socks. Your feet should feel a bit softer the next morning.[2]
- Apply a small amount on dry spots on your body before fake tanning lotions are applied. This will help to prevent uneven tanning.[3]
- Use petroleum jelly after shaving. It can be used to smooth and soothe clean, freshly shaven skin.
- Apply vaseline overnight on areas prone to inflammation such as those with eczema or psoriasis.[4]
Method 2
Method 2 of 19:Apply Vaseline to highlight around your eyes
Method 2
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1The shine in Vaseline helps bring out your eyes. Used alone or in tandem with makeup, Vaseline is a commonly-used and cheap product to highlight the natural beauty of your eyes. As long as you’re very careful to avoid getting petroleum jelly into your eyes, Vaseline is perfectly safe.
- Use a touch of Vaseline mixed with powder eyeshadow pigment to make new colors. Or, use it for a more solid eyeshadow that won’t get all over your face when you put it on. Some people like to apply Vaseline under eye shadow to create a shiny effect.
- Vaseline can be used to tame unruly eyebrows, by brushing a small amount across them. Similarly, you can use Vaseline to define your lashes and leave them with a glossy and waterproof look.[5]
- Apply a thin coat to your eyelashes before you go to bed. While unproven, many people think that Vaseline may help your eyelashes grow longer and thicker over time.
Method 3
Method 3 of 19:Rub petroleum jelly on your nails.
Method 3
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1Vaseline softens cuticles so they look better. Vaseline is often used as part of a manicure, to help make the cuticles pliable for tending back. It's an excellent way of caring for your fingertips.
- Make your week-old nail polish look new again by rubbing a small dab over the polish, helping to restore the glisten and shine.
Method 4
Method 4 of 19:Put Vaseline on your lips.
Method 4
Method 5
Method 5 of 19:Apply Vaseline on your teeth.
Method 5
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1Vaseline prevents your lips from sticking to your teeth. While it may seem odd, applying Vaseline to the teeth is an old stage-hand trick, used to get dancers and other performers more enthusiastic about grinning. and is a common preventative measure taken when applying lipstick. Done correctly, Vaseline can help avoid getting lipstick on the teeth.
- Use caution and only apply a very small amount of Vaseline to your teeth. Nobody wants a mouthful of petroleum jelly.
Method 6
Method 6 of 19:
Use Vaseline on your hair.
Method 6
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1Vaseline manages hair, locks in moisture, and treats dry scalp issues. You want to use Vaseline sparingly, since it's very difficult to wash out, but it can be an effective treatment in some cases.
- Use Vaseline to reduce scaling and itching associated with dandruff. Condition the scalp with Vaseline pre-shampooing, massaging it gently into your scalp before a shower.
- Use Vaseline as a mask around the hairline when dyeing hair. It can protect against harmful hair dyeing, perming and straightening chemicals.
- In a pinch, a very small dab of Vaseline can be used in place of mousse or styling gel. Smear a tiny bit on your hands and scrunch through your hair for a choppy look.
Method 7
Method 7 of 19:Apply Vaseline to rashes caused by chafing.
Method 7
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1Vaseline helps you move without rubbing or irritation. One of the most common and effective uses of Vaseline is in helping to prevent chaffing-related rashes or irritation caused by clothes. Runners and cyclists will often apply a small amount of Vaseline to the insides of the thighs to avoid chaffing during a long race. Some people struggle with nipple chaffing caused by certain articles of clothing or varieties of fabric. If you have a problem with chaffing, apply a preventative coat of Vaseline to the area to keep yourself moving.
Method 8
Method 8 of 19:Treat a cough with Vaseline.
Method 8
Method 9
Method 9 of 19:Use Vaseline to ease off stuck-on rings.
Method 9
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1Petroleum jelly works great as a lubricant. Apply a small dollop around the edges of the ring and twist it as you work. It'll pop right off.[6]
- Some people will regularly lubricate ear lobes with Vaseline. The use of Vaseline helps to make earring insertion easy and painless.
Method 10
Method 10 of 19:Shine your shoes and bags.
Method 10
Method 11
Method 11 of 19:Apply Vaseline on carved pumpkins.
Method 11
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1Vaseline prevents the pumpkin from rotting. Apply a small amount of Vaseline to the edges. Once you carve your Halloween pumpkin, rub Vaseline on the exposed edges to keep the carved pumpkin from rotting or going dry. It'll still dry out eventually, but you can slow down the process considerably with a bit of well-placed petroleum jelly.
- Avoid using Vaseline on wood, which will serve to dry it out over time.
Method 12
Method 12 of 19:Lubricate moving parts.
Method 12
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1Grease wheels and squeaky doors with Vaseline so they operate better. Lubricate door hinges, sticky zippers, and the moving parts in mechanical toys to keep them working properly. While oil-based lubricant like Vaseline can attract dirt and dust, it's an exceptionally great household lubricant for a variety of purposes. Keep some in your workshop or tool drawer for a quick spot-treatment.
- Rub Vaseline on the neck of your nail polish bottles and they won’t get stuck to the caps. Vaseline helps to create a barrier between the bottle and the polish, keeping it from forming a crust or gunking up.
Method 13
Method 13 of 19:Use Vaseline for pet-care.
Method 13
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1Vaseline is a common home remedy for a variety of cat and dog related afflictions. Always talk to your veterinarian about proper products and approaches to dealing with serious issues, and ask if small amounts of petroleum jelly are appropriate.
- Use Vaseline to help ease hairballs in cats. Feeding cats a very tiny dab of Vaseline can help to relieve hairball symptoms, making them pass it quickly and easily. It's a common use treatment.
- Apply to the cracked pads of dogs paws to help soften their skin. In the winter, dogs foot pads tend to get dried out, especially if they're walking frequently on the concrete. If this happens, it can be uncomfortable and painful for the dog. Gently massage a small amount of Vaseline into their pads and keep them from licking it off.
Method 14
Method 14 of 19:Use Vaseline to avoid battery corrosion.
Method 14
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1Vaseline protects battery terminals from rusting. Many different household batteries, in the car and in appliances, are susceptible to leaks and corrosion over time, which can be quite dangerous and shorten the life of the batteries themselves. Avoid getting your battery terminals gunked up with corrosion by applying a small dab of Vaseline every time you change the battery. If you've just cleaned battery corrosion from the terminals in the car, lubricate them with Vaseline before you reinstall the battery.
Method 15
Method 15 of 19:
Avoid petroleum jelly on burns.
Method 15
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1Vaseline has no properties that make it an effective treatment of burns. It's a common misconception that Vaseline can and should be used as an analgesic or antiseptic. In fact, the moisture-barrier component of petroleum jelly makes it a poor choice to apply to fresh burns, cuts, and abrasions.[7]
- Vaseline does make a variety of different Intensive Care lotions which would be appropriate to use on burns.[8] Lubriderm and other varieties of lotion would be more appropriate.
Method 16
Method 16 of 19:Use caution for Vaseline as a personal lubricant
Method 16
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1Vaseline could dissolve latex condoms. It's never appropriate to use Vaseline in tandem with latex condoms since it increases the chances of a condom breaking. Always use water-soluble lubricants with latex condoms.
- Petroleum jelly is commonly used as a sexual lubricant, and isn’t strictly-speaking “harmful.” Some enjoy the difference in texture and the feel of Vaseline. It is extremely difficult to clean, however, making it less desirable in many ways than water-based lubricants or other natural oils, like coconut.
Method 17
Method 17 of 19:Do not use Vaseline on new tattoos.
Method 17
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1Vaseline draws ink from fresh tattoos and clogs your pores. It's another very common misconception that tattoo artists will use and recommend that new tattoos be treated with Vaseline. This is false since it increases the chances of a breakout that can ruin the new ink, and will not work to promote the healing of the tattoo. Instead, use A&D, Bacitracin, or specialty products like TattooGoo, which help to moisturize the area and promote healing. Always ask your tattoo artist for directions regarding aftercare.
Method 18
Method 18 of 19:Do not use Vaseline for acne or rosacea.
Method 18
Method 19
Method 19 of 19:Do not use Vaseline as a moisturizer.
Method 19
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1While Vaseline locks in moisture, it doesn’t add moisture to your skin. If you’ve been recommended to use a moisturizer by a dermatologist, use a moisturizing lotion, not Vaseline. In fact, Vaseline creates a moisture barrier that keeps your skin from being able to breathe, which can exacerbate your skin problems.
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2Do not use Vaseline as an anti-fungal. Vaseline locks in moisture, making it extremely ineffective at battling fungus. Instead, use something that has actual anti-fungal properties, like coconut oil.
Community Q&A
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QuestionAre there differences between Vaseline and unpurified petroleum?
Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAADDr. Alina Goldenberg is a Board Certified Dermatologist. She specializes in allergic contact and atopic dermatitis, patch testing, skin cancer screening and treatment, and medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Goldenberg has published numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters and received grants and awards from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Skin Association. She holds a BA in Public Health from The University of California, Berkeley, a MAS in Clinical Research, and an MD from The University of California, San Diego.
Board Certified DermatologistYes, there are! These products must not be confused, as petroleum is unpurified and may contain aromatic hydrocarbons while also being a possible carcinogen. Vaseline, on the other hand, is a pure jelly that is triple-filtered. -
QuestionIs Vaseline bad for you?Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAADDr. Alina Goldenberg is a Board Certified Dermatologist. She specializes in allergic contact and atopic dermatitis, patch testing, skin cancer screening and treatment, and medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Goldenberg has published numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters and received grants and awards from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Skin Association. She holds a BA in Public Health from The University of California, Berkeley, a MAS in Clinical Research, and an MD from The University of California, San Diego.
Board Certified DermatologistNot at all! Vaseline is one of the best skin-barrier repairing moisturizers. It is triple-purified and devoid of allergens, preservatives, fragrances, surfactants, steroids, chemicals, and carcinogens. -
QuestionCan Vaseline be applied to sore nipples when baby sucks to ease the pain?
Community AnswerIt's not safe to ingest Vaseline and it could harm the baby. Instead, use a lanolin-based cream sold specifically for this purpose. -
QuestionCan I use vaseline under my eyes to shine them?
Community AnswerYes, it can be used as an eye cream. Make sure not to overdo it, though. -
QuestionCan I use Vaseline on my face?
Community AnswerYes, just make sure you don't get it in your eyes, nose, or mouth. You can even use it on your eyelashes if you're careful! -
QuestionCould I use Vaseline on eyelashes?Community AnswerYes, but you must be careful not to get it in your eye. For more information, take a look at: How to Make Eyelashes Longer with Vaseline.
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QuestionCan you put Vaseline petroleum jelly on dark circles?
Community AnswerYes, you can. It's best if you do it overnight and wash it off in the morning. -
QuestionCan I use on a facial cut to help prevent scarring when it heals?Community AnswerNo. You must never put Vaseline on cuts or burns. Doing so will lead to irritation and burning.
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QuestionCan I use Vaseline to soften palms?Community AnswerYes, do it before bed, and keep your hands warm (perhaps even wear gloves), and you will find your hands to be very soft.
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QuestionHow quickly can Vaseline make your hair grow?Community AnswerVaseline is not meant to aid in hair growth. It would make your hair extremely greasy and would be very difficult to wash out.
Warnings
- Some of these methods may not work on darker skin.Thanks!
Things You'll Need
- Vaseline
- Lotion
References
- ↑ Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.
- ↑ Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.
- ↑ http://www.pinksith.com/2013/08/20-beauty-tips-and-tricks-with-vaseline.html
- ↑ Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.
- ↑ http://michellephan.com/beauty-tips-vaseline-in-your-beauty-routine-skin-care/
- ↑ http://www.allyou.com/budget-home/petroleum-jelly-uses
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC286261/
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-88845/vaseline-intensive-care-top/details
About This Article
Article SummaryX
To use Vaseline, apply it to rough, dry patches of skin to help moisturize them so they're smoother. You can also massage some Vaseline into your nails every day so your cuticles are softer. If your lips are feeling chapped, cover them with a thin layer of Vaseline to lock in moisture. You can even use Vaseline as a treatment for dandruff by massaging some into your scalp before you wash your hair. To learn how you can use Vaseline around the house, scroll down!
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