How to Use Vaseline

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Vaseline is a petroleum-based gel commonly used in skincare routines, home remedies, and in a variety of household projects. It is one of the best skin barrier repair moisturizers. It is triple purified and devoid of any allergens, preservatives, fragrances, surfactants, steroids, chemicals, and carcinogens. [1] 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.

1

Use Vaseline to soften rough skin.

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  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 calluses 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.
    • Apply a small amount on dry spots on your body before fake tanning lotions are applied. This will help to prevent uneven tanning.
    • Use Vaseline 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.
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2

Apply Vaseline to highlight around your eyes

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  1. 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 Vaseline 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. [2]
    • 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.
3

Rub Vaseline on your nails.

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  1. 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.
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4

Put Vaseline on your lips.

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  1. Rub a very small layer of Vaseline on your lips to help retain moisture and keep them from drying out. Some people like to apply Vaseline before scrubbing lips with a toothbrush to exfoliate and leave them feeling smooth.
5

Apply Vaseline on your teeth.

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  1. While it may seem odd, applying Vaseline to the teeth is an old stage-hand trick, used to get dancers and other performers more confident and 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 Vaseline.
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6

Use Vaseline on your hair .

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  1. 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.
7

Apply Vaseline to rashes caused by chafing.

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  1. 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.
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8

Treat a cough with Vaseline.

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  1. Make sure you apply enough to cover your entire chest. Wait for the Vaseline to dry before putting your shirt back on. This should help to clear your chest and allow you to breathe better.
9

Use Vaseline to ease off stuck-on rings.

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  1. Apply a small dollop around the edges of the ring and twist it as you work. It'll pop right off. [3]
    • Some people will regularly lubricate ear lobes with Vaseline. The use of Vaseline helps to make earring insertion easy and painless.
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10

Shine your shoes and bags.

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  1. Using a very tiny amount of Vaseline on glossy shoes, purses, and other surfaces can help the texture of those surfaces. Just work the Vaseline into the surface until it looks smooth and shiny.
11

Apply Vaseline on carved pumpkins.

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  1. 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 Vaseline.
    • Avoid using Vaseline on wood, which will serve to dry it out over time.
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12

Lubricate moving parts.

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  1. 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.
13

Use Vaseline for pet-care.

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  1. Always talk to your veterinarian about proper products and approaches to dealing with serious issues, and ask if small amounts of Vaseline 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.
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14

Use Vaseline to avoid battery corrosion.

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  1. 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.
15

Avoid Vaseline on burns .

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  1. It's a common misconception that Vaseline can and should be used as an analgesic or antiseptic. In fact, the moisture-barrier component of Vaseline makes it a poor choice to apply to fresh burns, cuts, and abrasions. [4]
    • Vaseline does make a variety of different Intensive Care lotions which would be appropriate to use on burns. [5] Lubriderm and other varieties of lotion would be more appropriate.
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16

Use caution for Vaseline as a personal lubricant

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  1. 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.
    • Vaseline 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.
17

Do not use Vaseline on new tattoos.

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  1. 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.
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18

Do not use Vaseline for acne or rosacea.

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  1. Vaseline actually seals the skin and dries it out, locking in dirt and suffocating the pores, but creates the appearance of moisturizing because it softens and reduces chafing.
19

Do not use Vaseline as a moisturizer.

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  1. 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.
  2. Vaseline locks in moisture, making it extremely ineffective at battling fungus. Instead, use something that has actual anti-fungal properties, like coconut oil.
    Dr. Anjali Mahto, Dermatologist

    While petroleum jelly can provide an effective occlusive barrier, it lacks humectant properties to attract moisture. For extremely dry skin, combine Vaseline with a humectant like glycerin or hyaluronic acid serum underneath to pull water into the skin and seal it in. This provides superior hydration. Vaseline on its own simply traps existing moisture.

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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can Vaseline be applied to sore nipples when baby sucks to ease the pain?
    Community Answer
    It's not safe to ingest Vaseline and it could harm the baby. Instead, use a lanolin-based cream sold specifically for this purpose.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 51
  • Question
    Can I use vaseline under my eyes to shine them?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it can be used as an eye cream. Make sure not to overdo it, though.
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  • Question
    Can I use Vaseline on my face?
    Community Answer
    Yes, 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!
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      Tips

      • Don't apply too much at one time, only take a little.
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      • For best results where the tip needs to be long lasting, re-apply it periodically throughout the day.
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      • A fresh tin of Vaseline should last you a long while, so if you've used most of the tin in a short period of time, you're definitely using too much.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Put a small layer around your fingernails when painting them. When the polish has dried, wipe the vaseline away, and it will take off any polish you got on your cuticles.
      • Twist up your hair and use vaseline on the tips, then tie it up and go to sleep. Wake up, take your rag off, and undo your twists and there you go. Rock it like that.
      • Don’t use vaseline on new tattoos. The petroleum is too thick and can cause the same issues as getting it wet.
      • DO NOT use as a lubricant for rings, it can stain expensive metals.
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      Warnings

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      Things You'll Need

      • Vaseline
      • Lotion

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      References

      1. ↑ Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 18 August 2021.
      2. ↑ https://michellephan.com/beauty-tips-vaseline-in-your-beauty-routine-skin-care/
      3. ↑ http://www.allyou.com/budget-home/petroleum-jelly-uses
      4. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC286261/
      5. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-88845/vaseline-intensive-care-topical/details
      6. ↑ Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 18 August 2021.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      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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