Vaseline, a.k.a. petroleum jelly is a beauty staple that every girl should have in their makeup bag. There are a zillions of uses for it and it is so inexpensive! Here’s some beauty related tricks you can do with vaseline:
1. Lip balm: moisturizes and soothes chapped lips but it doesn’t taste good.
2. Moisturizes dry skin.
3. Hand and feet moisturizer: it hydrates and smooths chapped hands and feet. Apply some petroleum jelly to your hands and feet and then put on mittens and socks. Wait about 10-15 minutes for the vaseline to soak into the skin. The result? Smoother and softer skin.
4. All over moisturiser: apply petroleum jelly all over your body after a bath. It will leave your skin soft and smooth.
5. Eye makeup remover: removes even the most stubborn mascara and soothes the eye area.
6. Scrub: mix petroleum jelly with sea salt to make your own scrub.
7. Night cream: it can be used as a night cream but you need to warm it up first.
8. Protects manicure: putting some vaseline on the base of your nails will stop the color from running.
9. Shaving: just put a very thin layer on the area that needs shaving and shave. Don’t use water. Also don’t apply too much product or it will plug up your razor. In addiction, vaseline can get a bit greasy, but it will leave your skin soft, smooth and moisturized.
10. Highlighter: apply it on cheeks and undereye area for that dewy look.
11. Softens elbows: apply some vaseline to elbows daily. It will soften them.
12. Lipgloss: apply some lipliner all over your lips and top it off with vaseline for instant shine.
13. Maintains fragrance longer: apply a thin layer of vaseline on your wrist before spraying perfume on. It will make the scent last longer.
14. Lip exfoliant: apply petroleum jelly to your lips and wait a few minutes. Then, using an old toothbrush, scrub your lips. This will exfoliate lips, leaving them very soft.
15. Protects skin from hair dye: apply some vaseline around the hairline before coloring your hair to protect your skin from the harsh chemicals contained in the dye.
16. Conditioner: Apply some to the scalp before shampooing to condition it.
17. Seals in split ends: if you put some vaseline on your split ends, it will seal them in and make it look like they aren’t there. But don’t do this too often as it will take a couple of shampoos to remove vaseline from your hair.
18. Cream blusher: mix some vaseline with your lipstick to make your own cream blusher.
19. Prevents uneven tanning: just put some on dry spots before applying fake tanning lotions.
20. Moisturize and tame eyebrows: putting a small amount of vaseline on your brows before going to bed will not only moisturize them, but it will mould them into place too.
21. Prevents chafing: just apply some vaseline on the areas that need it, such as heels and the balls of feet.
22. Stains remover: it removes makeup stains from clothes.
Do you know other ways to use vaseline? Let me know in the comments!
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All these tips are fantastic, and I’ll be sure to try them all! Sometimes if a get a zit that gets cracked and dry (usually from harsh acne medicines) I put a little vaseline (or something similar like carmex) on the area before applying make up or powder. It helps stick better, but it also instantly makes it smoother so the make up will look neater and prettier and not dry and yucky!
Morgan, that’s a great tip, thanks for sharing.
My friend applies vaseline on her legs when she´s going out wearing skirt and it´s getting colder outside.she sais it works wonders!! old gipsy trick ; )
..and as lube of course ; )
Ronda, I never heard about that, but I’ll try it, thanks!
Vaseline may seem to work but the oil doesn’t actually HEAL the skin. It sits right under the skin, sealing it off and not healing it. THAT is why one has to keep using it or use it in conjunction with other moisturizers.
J, as Paula Begoun writes on her site, “Topical application of petrolatum can help the skin’s outer layer recover from damage, reduce inflammation, and generally heal the skin (Source: Acta Dermato-Venereologica, November–December 2000, pages 412–415)”, so yes, vaseline helps heal skin.
It only seals the skin forming a barrier “helping” healing. It has NO healing properties itself. The best natural healer is any vegetable oil, such as olive or sunflower oil, just as cheap but plant derived, not from crude oil.
Use this for all of the above and more! I use the oil cleansing method and have for about three years now and my skin has never been so healthy, I still get blemishes obviously, but the overall result is fantastic.
So remember there is always a different method that may well just work better for you.
Xx
Jode, yes, but by helping fixing the skin’s outer layer, it does help skin heal.
Olive oil is another wonderful multitasking product that can be used for most of the uses above. I have actually written a post about olive oil and the benefits it has for the skin. You can find it here if you’re interested: http://beautifulwithbrains.com/2010/02/23/olive-oil-in-skincare/
They are both cheap and effective options imo and, at the end of the day, everyone should use what works best for their skin. For some it’s vaseline, for other vegetable oils. The purpose of this post was to share the uses of vaseline, not to imply that’s it’s the best option out there. I do love it though as it’s effective, versatile and cheap.
If you put a little vaseline around your nail (like on your cuticles) before you paint your nails, the extra polish on your fingers will just rinse off after the polish is dry. This is really helpful if you have unsteady hands. But you should make sure the polish on your nails is dry first.
Chelsea, I have unsteady hands so I’ll definitely try this tip, thanks for sharing.
I am definitely trying the vaseline around the nails and cuticles, Great Tip , Thank You Chelsea. *+*
If you put Vaseline on your heels or where ever you get blisters from shoes, it prevents the shoes from giving you blisters!
Kaleigh, that’s great to know. Thanks for sharing.
Instead of wearing mascara, you can put vaseline on the tips of your eyelashes to make them seem longer and grow more.
Fsa, what a great tip. Thanks for sharing.
I like to coat(very thick) my feet & then put on some socks the socks help keep the vaseline on the feet to do its job. At least keep on for a few hours for good effect(I myself sleep in the socks the longer the better) This concept also works for hands just use gloves. Also you can use vaseline once in a while for your cat to help aide/prevent hairballs from clogging them up “to prevent troublesome hairballs, apply a dollop of Vaseline petroleum jelly to your cat’s nose. The cat will lick off the jelly, lubricating any hair in its stomach so it can pass easily through the digestive system.”
Kay, thanks for sharing this wonderful tips! I didn’t know that about vaseline and cats.
Actually, I’ve thought of another one- idk about you, but when tweezing my eyebrows I apply vaseline beforehand and it makes it less painful.
Fsa, I haven’t tried that yet (don’t tweeze my eyebrows often eheh), but I definitely will try it next time I do. Thanks for the suggestion.
vaseline should never be used as a moisturizer simply because it creates a barrier so that no moisture can escape. That SOUNDS like a brilliant idea but that means the toxins and bacteria that your body is trying to expel are now trapped under this heavy duty layer of grease. Causing infections in your pores, pores+infection= Zits/pimples/boils. every time.
Kendal, vaseline forms a barrier on the skin that slows down water loss, hence keeping it hydrated and moisturized for longer and improving the appearance of dry, damaged skin. But it doesn’t clog pores and clog breakouts. It is true that it can trap comedogenic ingredients under this barrier, which will cause pimples but if you avoid using it with those, vaseline won’t cause any problems. As for toxins, it is the liver and kidneys that get rid of those, not the skin.
skin does get rid of toxins. this includes sweating.. that’s why we sweat, our body is doing its job to get rid of the toxins.
Dila, actually that’s just a common misconception. Sweat has only one function and that’s cooling your body down when it’s too hot. It is true that sweat contains trace amounts of toxins, but these are minuscule (less than 1%) so you won’t really detoxify your body through sweat. It’s the liver and kidneys that get rid of toxins, not skin.
Beautifulwithbrains is right, your body uses evaporationt to cool your body down, it releases fluid onto the skin and then the fluid uses the heat from your body to evaporate hence the cooling process
Vaseline around the eyes and on the face sounds sketchy to me. I have a hard enough time putting in contact lenses. Vaseline can get into the eyes. Since it has menthol and petroleum, I’d imagine it would sting and be hard to flush out of the eye. Also, my sister put Vaseline on her face for a pimple she had, it caused her entire face to breakout for months. Her dermatologist said it was definitely because of the Vaseline. It didn’t allow her skin to breathe and expel toxins. So, I’d just have to say, be careful and check with a professional before applying this product to the face or eye area.
Michelle, I’m sorry your sister had such a bad experience with vaseline! It’s not a good idea to apply to pimples, but I never heard of it causing a reaction like that. As far as I know vaseline itself isn’t comedogenic but can cause breakouts when used in conjunction with products containing comedogenic ingredient as these get trapped under the protective barrier it forms on the skin. I agree that you have to be careful not to get vaseline inside your eye, but if you pay attention that shouldn’t be a problem.
I always put vaseline on my pimples before applying pimple cream. 9 times out of 10 they’re significantly smaller or completely gone the next day! It’s also good for when pimple treatments dry out your skin
Roni, I’ve always heard that it isn’t a good idea to put vaseline on pimples but I’m glad that works well for you. Thanks for sharing.
Wow these are truly some great tips for the use of vaseline, the beauty tips are the best!
Thanks,
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Beauty, thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Vaseline works great on my patent leather shoes makes them SHINE and if raining no problem runs right off.
Waynona, what great tips! Thanks for sharing.
HI, Every night I use Vaseline to remove my eye makeup. I put a small amount on my finger and then rub it onto my eyelashes and eyelids. I then use a tissue to wipe it all off. Works amazingly, and it has never hurt my eyes.
justjenny1977, it’s very effective at removing eye makeup, isn’t it? And so cheap. Thanks for your comment.
I put vaseline around my hairline before I dye my hair, that way if I get dye on my skin it wipes off easily.
Hannah, that’s a great tip. Thanks for sharing.
Don’t use vaseline to remove eye makeup! It will get it off, but my aunt had done this for years and when she recently had eye surgery they removed a tablespoon of vaseline from each eye from way up under the eye lids!
Rachel, omg, that is awful! I’m really sorry to hear that and I hope your aunt has fully recovered. It’s a shame, vaseline is so effective at removing makeup. I guess those who want to use it will have to be extra careful..
Rachel, Ive heard a lot of stories like this. I guess it just depends on how careful you are, like beautifulwithbrains said. Just like cream eyeshadow could clog up tear ducts, if you put it in the wrong spot.
I have been using Vaseline for a while now to remove eye makeup. As Vaseline is very effective for removing eye makeup. Having said that I just recently found out from an Ophthalmology why Vaseline is not recommend as an eye makeup remover because it blocks the tear ducts of the eyes and over time the eyes become dry eyes. They said do not put creams on the eyes because the same thing happens. The tear ducts cannot function right. Just thought this was very good info to throw out there for you all. Granted you will do what you want to do. But for many other uses Vaseline is very good, Just not around the eyes. *+*
Marjorie, thanks so much for your comment. I didn’t know that, it’s very useful indeed. I think we all have to be extremely careful when using something around the eye, and sometimes it’s better not to use anything at all. Shame, cos it’s such a good makeup remover.
@beautifulwithbrains , I know it was a great eye makeup remover. But now that I know that it’s not worth getting dry eyes over, So my Ophthalmology friend said she use Baby Shampoo to remove her eye makeup, So Price wise its about the same as Vaseline. So thats a better price then having to buy eye makeup remover and far more safer. I tried it works great. I hope this tip is useful for you and your readers. *+*
Marjorie, I agree it’s not worth getting dry eyes over. I never heard about using baby shampoo to remove eye makeup but I will give it a go. Thanks for the tip.
Your welcome, I do half water and half baby shampoo, Either way it doesn’t burn the eyes, That why its safe for babies faces, Let me know what you think after you use it. Have a fabulous night *+*
Marjorie, I will and thanks for the tip about the doses!
During those rough puberty and pregnancy years, I have obtained a few stretch marks. But I read in a magazine that using vaseline would help them go away. I’ve been doing it every night for about six months, and they are so faint, and in bright light appear to be on even with the skin rather than deep and uneven. So much more economical than laser surgery or those expensive creams than claim to help. Plus I’m sure you can use it to prevent those pesky stretch marks, they’re scars you get in the deepest layers of skin from it stretching more than it can take
Like it never happened, that’s good to know. I’m glad it works well for you and thanks for sharing.
This is a great tip!
When I had my two boys I used olive oil to start with then went on line and brought some cocoa butter and mixed them up and I never even got one stretch Mark…!!!
Big ups for tummy rubs!!
Xx
Jode, I’m glad that worked well for you.
If you put vaseline on a water stain on a table or night stand it will fade it
Rachel, that’s very handy. Thanks for sharing.
Great tips! Also a cool one is you can mix a bit of Vasline with your favorite color eye shadow and it makes a great lip gloss (:
Zainab, what a wonderful tip. Thanks for sharing.
it gets rid of lice!
Kiera, does it? That’s good to know, thanks for sharing.
Love these! I have used over half of these tips! vaseline is definitely a must have in my house! I also use it as a base on my eyelids and I have found that my eye shadow lasts all day long (even into the evenings!)
Jessica, I’m glad you like vaseline too. It’s just so versatile, isn’t it? I had never thought of using it as an eyeshadow primer but it’s good to know it works well for that too.
Put it into a jar drop a chocolate chip in and melt it (in the microwave) and it makes a nice chocolate lipbalm!<3
Charlotte, sounds delicious! I will try it, thanks for sharing.
All of these are very good, but Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly doesn’t have a taste. Also, you can melt some chocolate chips and some Vaseline, mix em together, and you have chocolate flavored lip gloss!
Riley, sounds yummy! Thanks for letting us know.
Its also good to keep your hair nice and shiny
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Beauty, I agree. Thanks for sharing.
I use Vaseline to make my lip colors, like others have mentioned. But I won’t put it near my hair. My sister put a whole tub of Vaseline in my hair when I was a kid, and it took 30 washes to get it out; don’t think I’ve ever recovered from that horror! Haha!
Em, the whole tub?! That must have been a nightmare! I use vaseline very sparingly on my hair cos it is really difficult to rinse it all off.
I use Vaseline every night to remove my eye makeup! I can get everything off in 10 seconds tops, it’s non-irritating, and it leaves the tender skins around my eyes feeling moisturized. I would never spend a bunch of money on eye make-up remover when I have Vaseline, seriously, it’s great.
Liz, it’s a wonderful and inexpensive makeup remover, isn’t it? Love it too.
sorry not a fan of Vaseline. There are better salves (plant based) that are better for you and the environment.
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Kelly, actually there is no scientific proof that natural ingredients are more effective or safer, it’s a matter of personal preference really. Some people prefer synthetic ingredients, other natural ones, but I think we should just use what works for us.
Vaseline tests on animals the one and only reason I would never EVER be using these tips!
Littleozzie, I understand where you’re coming from and I can see why you don’t want to use vaseline. Animal testing is really a controversial topic. I don’t like it either but the law says that the products sold must obviously be safe and, unfortunately, sometimes the only way to ensure that is to test on animals. But scientists are working on developing alternative tests that will prove the safety (or lack of) of ingredients without using animals so one day, hopefully soon, animal testing will be a thing of the past.
Mixing vaseline with Kool-Aid powder makes a great tasting lip gloss!
Anniared, great to know! Thanks for sharing.
I’m a chronic nose-bleeder. My sinuses get dried out and any small hit or abrasion to the outside of my nose will cause the blood vessels to break on the inside and the nose will bleed. Just take the Vaseline, coat the insides of your nostrils and BAM! You’ll hydrate those blood vessels and no more bleeding.
Iggy, I’m sorry to hear that, must be awful. But I’m glad vaseline helps. Thanks for sharing.
apply the valesine to your lashes before mascara, it prevents lumps and helps lash definition
Amy, what an useful tip, thanks for sharing!
Vaseline is also good to remove puffy under eye circles!
Pattyfahey, really? I’ll have to try it then, thanks!
I have used Vaseline on the delicate skin under my eyes for years, before bed time. It moisturizes that area, and I think it has helped to minimize fine lines and wrinkles there. I love it as an eye make up remover; I spread some on a wet piece of facial tissue, and gently wipe off eyeshadow and mascara. I close my eyes and use a gentle, downward stroke. It removes all the makeup, and leaves the area around my eyes soft and smooth. I love it.
Millie, I agree, it’s a wonderful makeup remover. Effective and cheap. I’m glad you like it too.
Dip a screw into Vaseline before screwing it into wood. It stops it from rusting and makes it easier to remove at a later date. It’s a good routine to get into.
Laraine, I didn’t know that! Thanks for sharing!
Put a thin layer of Vaseline on your whole face before you go to sleep. Believe it or not it makes your skin so soft and removes redness. It is a super model trick!
Davida, what a great tip. Thanks for sharing!
you can put it on your eyelashes before bed and it will make them grow fuller and longer in a week or so.
Skye, nice tip! Thanks for sharing.
I use it on my cats paws to keep hairballs at bay, she just licks it right off, no problem and way cheaper than the over the counter stuff
Tina, that’s a great tip. Thanks for sharing!
I use and have used it for on my eyelids before i put on eyeshadow.
it makes it so i don’t have to use as much shadow (the product lasts longer//justifies buying a more expensive shadow) and it doesn’t melt or clump like some shadow bases might.
Tamara, I didn’t know it worked well as an eyeshadow primer too. That’s wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
I use vaseline as hair gel every day it works great. i just rub some on my hands push my hair back and run a comb through it and booya hair gel.
Garrett, thanks for your comment. I’m glad that works well for you.
My grandmother used to use Vaseline on her hands then put on white gloves,before she went to bed to keep them soft. She also used in her heels as well. All have to say about Vaseline is be careful about getting it from the dollar store. I purchased a jar one day from there and the righting in the back was in Arabic, Well the smell of petroleum was over powering. Here a great fact that I researched about Vaseline.
Robert Chesebrough, a young chemist whose previous work of distilling fuel from the oil of sperm whales (which had been rendered obsolete by petroleum), went to Titusville to see what new materials had commercial potential. Chesebrough took the unrefined black “rod wax”, as the drillers called it, back to his laboratory to refine it and explore potential uses. Chesebrough discovered that by distilling the lighter, thinner oil products from the rod wax, he could create a light-colored gel. Chesebrough patented the process of making petroleum jelly by U.S. Patent 127,568 in 1872. The process involved vacuum distillation of the crude material followed by filtration of the still residue through bone char.
Chesebrough traveled around New York demonstrating the product to encourage sales by burning his skin with acid or an open flame, then spreading the ointment on his injuries and showing his past injuries healed, he claimed, by his miracle product.
He opened his first factory in 1870 in Brooklyn using the name Vaseline
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Angelique, thanks a lot for sharing both your tips and the history of vaseline. How interesting! Can’t believe he would burn his skin for a demonstration, that’s dedication! And craziness but I guess it must have worked and helped sales.
I love using Vaseline.. have for years! My trick, before going to a function in the evening, rub a little on your front teeth.. prevents lipstick from sticking to your teeth!
Terry, that’s a very useful tip. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing. I use Vaseline all the time. I didn’t know about the makeup remover tip though. I definitely use it for my skin and lips. Realized to coat it on a night from an article I read at Taaz.com: http://www.taaz.com/trends/skincare/tips-to-avoid-dry-skin/EhOm4QEefQpc4Cv-_I_Xwj47s9FUv-ZP.html
Courtney, what an interesting article, thanks for sharing. Vaseline is a wonderful moisturizer, isn’t it?
Thanks for the tips. I use vaseline every night as a routine. It is the only lipbalm I will use.
I’ve also used it to polish shoes like someone mentioned earlier. I also use vaseline on my camera lens. It works and easy to wipe off.
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Snowbird, vaseline is a wonderful lip balm and has so many other uses too. Thanks for sharing a few with us. I’ll definitely try it on my camera lens.
I use Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion to help heal my tattoo’s. don’t know if the actual vaseline petroleum jelly is good for a tattoo since it creates a barrier, and the tattoo needs to breathe to heal, but my tattoo artist specifically recommended i use vaseline lotion because it’s super effective and cheap. Also, i know everyone here is in love with their vaseline, but as far as hair dying goes, if you are afraid of product build up from vaseline when you apply it to your hairline before dying, switch it out for a little bit of your conditioner instead. it works just as well, and it wont cause excess product build up in your hair or on your scalp. =)
KatieDidn’t, if your tattoo artists has recommended it, then you shouldn’t worry. It’ll work well and there is no need to spend more money for something pricer that will work just as well, or even less well.
And thanks for the hair drying tips. I usually use vaseline but I agree that conditioner works well too.
Two uses – Neither beauty related.
1. We gave a small dab for our cats to lick about twice a week. They loved it and it prevents hairballs
2. This was taught to me in an outdoor survival class – One of the suggested items to carry in a small survival kit was a medicine bottle with Vaseline soaked cotton balls. Vaseline is petroleum therefore it is flammable. If ever trying to start a fire without matches or a lighter… Get a cotton ball and put Vaseline on it. Pull it apart so that it can breath a bit. Then with a spark you can light the cotton ball. The survival kit needs to have a flint maker also but if you dint have one you can use rocks to create a spark.
Trish, I didn’t know vaseline could be used to start a fire! Thanks for sharing these useful tips!
When you have a cold and your nose is raw fom blowing it, use Vaseline to moustirze it. works awesome.
Shane, that’s good to know! Thanks for sharing.
As a pre-professional ballerina, I mix liquid Vaseline and water and soak my feet in the mixture every night for half an hour. Usually I’ll watch television or do homework to pass the time. It has worked wonders for me, and I almost never get blisters from ballet anymore.
Not sure if this one will help with anyone else out there, but I also rub it onto dyed pointe shoes (especially black) before a big performance. The stage lights reflect beautifully off the color, but will make un-dyed pointe’s look unprofessionally shiny.
Jessica, thanks for sharing these tips. I’m sure that ballerinas and other women too will find them very useful.
Well just incase any ballerinas out there are reading, if you try this on your pointe shoes be careful to only do the tops of your shoes. Pointe is slippery enough without vaseline on the shank of your shoe!
Jessica, thanks for specifying that.
madam, you are a master at rebutting some of these odd claims people are putting up!
(the toxins and “natural remedies” comments especially)
and I will definitely be trying that dry shaving technique.
Heather, thank you. Vaseline is great for shaving, I’m sure you will like it too. Just make sure you don’t use too much product.
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