Vaseline is a staple in my beauty bag. I lost count of the amount of times it came to my skin’s rescue and helped me out of a beauty emergency.
Hard to believe, isn’t it? Vaseline doesn’t look like much. Plus, it’s so cheap. Surely, there’s not much you can do with it?
On the contrary, my friend. Here are just 22 of my favourite beauty uses for vaseline:
- 1. Lip Balm
- 2. Moisturiser For Dry Skin
- 3. Hands And Feet Moisturiser
- 4. All over moisturiser
- 5. Eye makeup remover
- 6. Scrub
- 7. Night cream
- 8. Manicure Protector
- 9. Shaving Cream
- 10. Highlighter
- 11. Softens elbows
- 12. Lipgloss
- 13. Makes Fragrance Lasts Longer
- 14. Lip exfoliant
- 15. Protects skin from hair dye
- 16. Conditioner
- 17. Seals in split ends
- 18. Cream blusher
- 19. Prevents uneven tanning
- 20. Moisturizes and tames eyebrows
- 21. Prevents chafing
- 22. Stains remover
1. Lip Balm
When my lips get all dry and chapped in winter, I slather a thin layer of vaseline on my lips. The taste is awful, but my lips are all soft and moisturized again. Bye bye chapped lips!
Related: How To Treat Chapped Lips
2. Moisturiser For Dry Skin
I have combination skin that gets drier around my cheeks in winter. When that happens, I simply apply some vaseline to the area, and voilà, skin is soft once again.
Vaseline works because it creates a protective barrier on the lips that keeps moisture in. The more moisture your skin has, the softer and plumper it gets.
Related: How To Care For Combination Skin
3. Hands And Feet Moisturiser
Harsh winter weather causes havoc on my skin. And, after months of being hidden under clothes and boots, my feet need some TLC.
The solution? You guessed it, vaseline. I apply some on my hands and feet, put on either gloves or socks, and wait about 10-15 minutes, to give vaseline time to soak into the skin. When I take my gloves/socks off, my hands/feet are sooo soft!
4. All over moisturiser
My skin gets insanely dry in winter. I blame it on a combination of freezing cold weather and relaxing hot showers. If I’ve run out of my beloved Haus Of Gloi Pumpkin Butters, I’ll apply vaseline on my body. Works a treat.
Related: My Full Review Of Haus Of Gloi Depravity Pumpkin Butter
5. Eye makeup remover
Vaseline dissolves the oils in your makeup and sunscreen and takes them on a trip down the drain. When I run out of makeup remover, I turn to vaseline. Does the job quickly and effectively.
6. Scrub
I’m not a big fan of scrubs. I prefer chemical exfoliants these days. But if you like to use a good scrub, you can make your own by mixing petroleum jelly with sea salt. Easy peasy.
Related: How To Choose The Best Exfoliator For Your Skin Type
Want more DIY skincare tips? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “5 DIY Skincare Hacks That Really Work” cheatsheet:
7. Night cream
I don’t like to bring a lot of products with me when I’m travelling. If it’s a short trip, I’ll just use vaseline as my night cream. It does the job well, and I couldn’t leave it at home anyway. It’s so useful! Just remember to warm it up first.
8. Manicure Protector
Before painting my nails, I always make sure to apply some vaseline at their base. It prevents the color from running.
9. Shaving Cream
When I run out of shaving cream, I use vaseline. I slather a very thin layer (don’t use too much, or it’ll plug up your razor!) on the area that needs shaving.
Then, do the deed. No need to use water. The best part? Skin is super smooth afterwards!
10. Highlighter
Strobing is all the rage now. I wouldn’t suggest using vaseline for that, but you could use the tiniest bit on your cheeks and undereye area for that dewy look. I do sometimes.
11. Softens elbows
My mom’s elbows were pretty rough. Until she started applying vaseline daily. Now, they’re so soft!
12. Lipgloss
I’m a sucker for lipglosses, but I never buy clear ones. When I just want a bit of shine on my lips, I’ll use vaseline. It’s more moisturizing than any lipgloss I’ve ever tried, too.
13. Makes Fragrance Lasts Longer
Some perfumes smell gorgeous, but last so little! To make it linger longer, apply a thin layer of vaseline on your wrist (or wherever else you’re going to apply perfume) before spraying the fragrance on. You’ll be surprised at how well it works.
14. Lip exfoliant
I like to exfoliate my lips before using a bold red lipstick. First, I apply petroleum jelly to my lips. I wait a few minutes and then, using an old toothbrush, I scrub my lips. The result? Soft, smooth lips.
15. Protects skin from hair dye
When I used to dye my hair blonde, I would first apply some vaseline around the hairline. It protects skin from the harsh chemicals contained in the dye.
16. Conditioner
If you have dry hair, you can apply some vaseline to the scalp before shampooing. It’ll condition it and make it soft.
17. Seals in split ends
Unfortunately, there’s no way to repair split ends for good. But you can hide them. How?
Just put some vaseline on them. It’ll seal them in and make them look like they aren’t there.
But don’t do this too often. It takes a couple of shampoos to remove vaseline from your hair!
18. Cream blusher
If I don’t have the right blush shade in my makeup bag, I’ll make my own. It’s really easy. I just mix some vaseline with a bit of lipstick, and apply the paste on my cheeks. Lovely!
19. Prevents uneven tanning
I don’t use tanning lotions anymore, but if you do, you need to know this trick. If you put some petroleum jelly on dry spots before using a fake tan lotion, your tan will be even all over. Wonderful, isn’t it? And so easy!
20. Moisturizes and tames eyebrows
If I need to tame some unruly eyebrows, I’ll use vaseline. Quick and easy.
21. Prevents chafing
Do you have a gorgeous pair of shoes that hurts and chafes at your feet? I do too. If I want to wear them, I’ll just apply some vaseline on my heels and the balls of my feet. Now I can walk in them without feeling the pain.
22. Stains remover
No matter how careful I am, sometimes a bit of makeup ends up on my clothes, staining them. Whenever that happens, I turn to vaseline. It does the trick well and quickly.
Do you know other beauty uses for vaseline? Let me know in the comments!
Amazing tips! I am very keen to try the shaving one as I absolutely hate shaving my legs and anything to make it easier is heaps appreciated! Also, my boyfriends dog (also their family chickens and his sisters dog) just had a type of fleas, and they insisted that using vaseline on the animals got rid of them, basically they smother them. I assume they would work with all fleas and probably even ticks etc.
inlovewithtrust, do try the shaving tip. It’s quick and leaves skin so soft but make sure you only use very little. And thanks for the tip about the fleas, that’s very handy to know.
It prevents nailpolish to satin fingers, use a little under the nails line before manicure
A, that’s very useful to know, thanks for sharing.
I read in an earlier comment that if you put vaseline on your feet/calluses that it removes the calluses. I dance, and calluses are good on feet for turning, so would it be a bad idea to put vaseline on my feet?
Alex, I have never tried to use vaseline on calluses, but I have heard it is very good at softening them because of how moisturizing it is. I guess that using vaseline on your feet wouldn’t be very different from using any other rich and very emollient cream on them.
Don’t use vaseline on your feet! Scroll up a few posts, and you’ll see when I posted about a mixture of vaseline and water, which won’t affect your calluses, just your blisters. Remember, calluses = good, blisters = bad, as far as dance goes. Using straight vaseline on your feet will soften the calluses and turning might even be painful for a while, depending on where the calluses are.
Jessica, thanks for your helpful comment and clearing this up. 🙂
I’ve been putting vaseline on my families heels for years to soften them. It’s best to use a pumice stone to get all the dead skin off first & then apply vaseline.
Monera, thanks a lot for the tip! 🙂
After you pop a pimple, dab a thin layer of Vaseline on to keep from scabbing!
Megan, what a great tip. Thanks for sharing.
If I had known that It would have saved me a lot of red marks 🙁
Nano, sorry to hear that, but at least you know that now.
I heard that vaseline clogs your pores, dries out your lips, and can cause damage if used near your eyes.
Rachel, there is no scientific proof that vaseline is comedogenic or drying. On the other hand, it is very moisturizing. If used around the eyes, you need to be careful it won’t get into them though.
Before bed, Dab a little on a pimple and put a small band aid on it overnight. The next morning it will be smaller if not gone. A dermatologist told me this and it has worked for me and I have sensitive skin.
Kristen, that’s good to know. Thanks for sharing.
I have a platform bird feeder atop a tall metal pole. Squirrels eating all the bird food was always a constant problem. Now I grease the pole with Vasoline, and enjoy watching the little fellas slide down as they try to climb the pole. I save a lot of money on bird food this way.
Debbie, what a clever idea! I’m glad the birds are getting all their food now.
My mom does this to keep ants and other bugs out of her hummingbird feeders by putting it on the poles. the only pests now are wasps. if anyone has any tips to keep them away that would be awesome. lol.
Mikki, I’m afraid I don’t have any tips for wasps but thanks for sharing! That’s very useful!
Mikki, my mother uses castor oil on her hummingbird feeder poles and hangers to keep unwanted pests away. Might work for wasps, as well. Also, if you put a penny or two in a Ziploc bag of water, flies think it’s a wasp nest and will steer clear of it. My mother tacks one up to the front door jamb on the outside, and she never has a fly problem!
Vikki, I didn’t know that! These are wonderful tips, thanks for sharing!
Apperently if you apply vaseline to your eyelash everynight in about two months they will be longer!
Marcella, that’s a very nice tip. Thanks for sharing.
i heard of the same tip recently, and have started the ritual few days ago. did you try it? did it work for you?
Priyanka, I’ve started doing it only recently too so it’s too early to say if it works. I will report back in a few weeks to show the results. 🙂
Before you go smear it on your lips, remember that it is a byproduct of the oil industry, and if the source isn’t known it could be carcinogenic. If you’re okay with that, and the refinement process, go ahead. A vegetable oil may be a better choice. Sophia Loren famously used only extra virgin olive oil on her skin. For your lips, try beeswax.
Amber, the type of vaseline used in cosmetics is safe and not carcinogenic, so I wouldn’t worry about that. And it’s also very moisturizing and suitable for those with dry skin. Olive oil works really well too. I use that at times as well. I just like to have options. 🙂
Oh no! Vasiline is not good for your face, when you put it on, it closes your pores. So your skin can’t breath. It makes you get blackheads and zits. I don’t recommend this (:
Hannah, vaseline is NOT comedogenic and doesn’t clog pores. It creates a protective barrier that prevents moisture from evaporating, thus keeping skin soft and hydrated. But it won’t cause breakouts.
put eh vasoline on your eyelash to make them grow eh longer and be strongar plus ju find they look shinier
Elisabeth, nice tip! Thanks for sharing.
Put on eyelids and eyelashes to help your eyelashes grow faster and thicker
Joleen, thanks for sharing this nice tip!
I have been using Vaseline for years to moisturize my lips! It works wonderfully. i will be trying out some of the other ideas. Thanks so much!
Abbey, it’s a great moisturizer isn’t it? And so versatile!
If you don’t mind sleeping in socks, rub vaseline all over your feet in and wear socks to bed, in the moring your feet are soft, and glowy, just take your showers before you go to bed and wear the socks all night. It really works.
TT, that’s a wonderful tip, thanks for sharing!
If you apply Vaseline to your eyelashes, not only will they grow longer but also stronger, and also same goes for eyebrows. I am a witness, and I have been trying this for awhile now, and it really does work!! Also leaving vaseline in your eyelashes overnight moisturizes them and mascara goes on much smoother the next day 🙂 nice blog
PeaceLoveJoy, thanks for sharing these wonderful tips! And ta, I’m glad you like my blog. 🙂
I used to bathe dogs and in the winter, or in general really, my hands would get insanely dry and cracked and would bleed. My mom made me put vaseline on my hands and sleep with it and socks on my hands and in the morning my hands 1.) Didn’t hurt anymore and 2.) Were no longer chapped! I still had to do it almost every night after I worked, but it was a life saver. 🙂
AmazonMaiden, I’m glad it worked so well for you and saved your hands. It really is a wonderful treatment for dry hands and so cheap!
I have crazy dry skin, and when I was little my hands used to crack and bleed at the drop of a hat. My mom got little thin white cotton gloves and would slather cream all over my hands and make me wear the gloves over it. This way you can do it in the evening while reading a book or watching tv. I just can’t sleep with stuff on my hands. 🙂
Isabella, my hands are very dry and crack and bleed easily too and vaseline is a lifesaver. I’m glad it worked well for you too and thanks for sharing your experience. 🙂
wow great tips ,can’t wait to try them!
Hayley, I’m sure you’ll love them too. 🙂
During a super dry season, my nose, along with everything else, became extremely dry and painful. My mother in law Told me to take a qtip dipped in Vaseline and lightly coat the inside of My nostrils. I did this before bed and I can’t tell you how wonderful my nose felt in the morning! It’s a lifesaver!
Jamie, I’m glad vaseline help you. And thanks for sharing this useful trick with us. 🙂
Vaseline is a petroleum based product, which means it’s made out of oil, a non-renewable and toxic resource. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!
Lily, it is true that vaseline is derived from petroleum, but it undergoes a refining process at the end of which it doesn’t even resemble oil anymore. They are two different substances and thus don’t have the same side effects. Vaseline is actually safe and non-toxic.
apply a think layer of vaseline to the inside of uncomfortable shoes! it prevents rubbing and works great!!
Catie, that’s a great tip, thanks for sharing. I have a pair of really uncomfortable shoes so I’m definitely gonna try this next time I wear them!
Wow, Vaseline can do a lot lol ! I will definitely have to try some of these.
Chrissie, it is a very versatile product indeed. 🙂
I had a cold sore once and put some of that on there and it goes away much faster!
Brooke, that’s good to know! I’m glad it helped you and thanks for sharing.
If you put Virgon Olive Oil on yhour face wont it be all sticky and greasy ?
You say Sophia Loren did this, she is a beautiful woman but how would you deal with the stickyness, or shiny ness of the mess of an oil ? So curious
TT, it depends on how much you use. If you apply only a very thin layer, you shouldn’t have any problems.
If you run into something and think it is going to bruise, quickly put vaseline on the area and it should stop the bruising. We’ve tried this several times with my nephew when he would fall or bump into something when he was little. Not only does the bruise not show up, but the area doesn’t hurt as much either. Don’t know why it works, just know it does!
Stephany, that’s great to know! I’m glad it worked so well for your nephew and thanks for sharing this useful tip. Should I bump into something in the future, I’ll know what to do. 🙂
It is wonderful!!! I honestly cannot say anything bad about it. Been using it for everything in the last 20 years and its been amazing. Have a jar in three different rooms of my house and in my purse!
Melane, wow! You really love it don’t you? And it is easy to see way. It’s so effective, versatile and cheap! 🙂
It is also used when working with plaster. My sister made a woman out of plaster by taking molds of body parts. The plaster strips heat up and can stick, so you put a layer of Vaseline on the area that will be plastered. She made me two super cool eye masks like you would wear to a mask ball. Just apply Vaseline, apply plaster strips to area wanted and when it dries you can paint, decorate them and add ribbons to tie them to your head
Isabelle, that’s good to know, thanks for sharing! 🙂
I love Vaseline! Haha anyways I use it on hangnails. It stops them from hurting and also smoothes them down so they pull and get worse. I also use it as a chap stick/ lip gloss, and on my hands. I am trying it on my eyelashes and pimples now (because its not like I have a huge pimple in the middle of my face right now….)
Kate, I’m glad you do and thanks for sharing with us the many ways in which you use it. It’s a wonderful versatile product, isn’t it?
A tiny bit rubbed on the tips of dry hair prevents fly a ways and gives hair a more glossy tame texture.
Erika, what a great and useful tip! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
When I use it on my hands it stays really greasy, am I supposed to wash it off after 15 minutes or just use less? I am already not using that much but I guess I could use even less
Siobhan, if that happens, it means you’re using too much, so yes, using less would be a good idea. 🙂
I’ve always loved Vaseline, but had no idea it could be used for so many different things. I never thought about using it as a hand/feet moisturizer and for eyebrows. That’s awesome! Great tips.
Careful Cents, Vaseline is wonderful, isn’t it? And so versatile. 🙂
My son had extreme eczema asa baby and still suffers from the odd breakout. vaseline is a life saver for eczema!!! Gives their skin the barrier their bodies are lacking. awesome tips. now we have more reasonsto use it around here. thanks.
Tabatha, I’m glad to hear it worked so well for your son, thanks for sharing. 🙂
I used vaseline for years as a moisturizer on my face and received many complements about my complexion. I then started hearing/reading negative statements and discontinued use. I have since tried many other moisturizers and I honestly do not feel that I have gotten the same results and I’ve spent a small fortune besides. I am seriously rethinking my decision and would very much appreciate some input.
Elaine, unfortunately vaseline has been getting a bad reputation because it is derived from oil. However, it undergoes a refining process and, at the end of it, vaseline becomes a completely different substance from oil and don’t thus have the same side effects. Vaseline is safe and effective and there’s no reason not to use it if it works well for you.
I love love vaseline! I have used it as a night cream for over 23 years & no, you do not need to warm it up first. I swear, at the age of 40, there is no trace of wrinkles on my face! (I first wash my face with facial scrub then apply a thin layer of vaseline.) I have used it as a lip balm, eye remover, & body lotion for just as long!
My son has severe ezcema, which dries the skin horribly & vaseline is the only product that keeps his skin moist without burning his skin. His pediatrician, allergist, & dermotologist all have suggested vaseline. So, to all of those who say “vaseline is harmful to the skin”, please do your research before you post something that isn’t true!
In the words of our dermotologist, “vaseline has been around for CENTURIES, there is no evidence, not one iota, linking vaseline to any cancer or being harmful to a person.”
Monera, I’m glad you love it too! It has so many uses and it’s so effective that’s hard not to hehe. 🙂
I’m glad it has helped your son too and I agree with you, there is no proof that vaseline is bad for you. It’s been around for so long that, if it was dangerous, we’d know by now.
Vaseline also conditions and grows your eyelashes. I put vaseline on my eyelashes every night and it makes a huge difference.
Meg, I’m glad that works well for you and thanks for sharing this tip with us. 🙂
It works most of the time for white rings on furniture, just slather it on the spot and leave it for 8 hours……..
Andrea, thanks for sharing this useful tip. 🙂
I remember when I was younger, we lived in Pa. and during the harsh winter months, my dad would be working outside, his hands would dry, crack and bleed. Mom would slather dads hands with vaseline, then put a pair of playtex living gloves on him, take him to the kitchen sink, filled with hot soapy dish water. And say “Here, lets get moisturized. LOL. They both would benefit from it.
Vaseline is so versatile, I love all the great ideas you have given, Thank you.
Cheryl, thanks for sharing such a lovely memory with us. 🙂
Vaseline is very versatile indeed and so moisturizing.
Vasaline gets bubble gum and waterproof spray adhesive outs of hair and off of skin quite nicely. extremely easy fix, much easier than cutting it out.
Nick, what an useful tip, thanks for sharing!
Please please please do NOT Vaseline as eye makeup remover!
The ways your eyes expel foreign chemicals or products is to dissolve them then expel them in tears. Because Vaseline will jot resolve in water, it will just move to the back of your eyeball and say there. Studies have linked this directly with the fact that do may more women are getting cataract surgery–women have used Vaseline as eye makeup remover for decades and are now paying the price.
Never use any products on or near your eyes that are not specifically labeled to do so.
Concerned Consumer, I agree that you have to be careful when using any products around the eyes. But if you use only a little amount and be very careful at what you do, I don’t think you’re gonna have any problems.
you’ve got moisturizer on there like, four times. And lipbalm/lipgloss are the same too. sooooooooo; not 22 uses.
Gdgfdgtr, I’m sorry you didn’t like the post. I’ve decided to write it this way because I wanted to give little tips for each use and was afraid it’d get too long if I had written moisturizer only once.
I didn’t read all the comments so forgive me if I say something that has already been posted. I found that if I put a thin coat on my eyelids it helps my eye shadow stay on for longer and look more metallic or shimmery!
Samantha, what a lovely tip, thanks for sharing!
Wow!! Vaseline is on my shopping list for tomorrow!
Angela, that’s good. I’m sure you’ll love it too. 🙂
That is all very useful tips about VAseline! I use it as a lip balm and also around the hair line when I color my hair at home! It works great to prevent skin from coloring!
Nelly, it’s a wonderful product, isn’t it? And thanks for the tip. 🙂
Applying Vaseline to your eyelashes will make them grow! 😀
Rebecca, good to know and thanks for sharing!
I’ve known the use of vaslin,, now….
It’suseful 4 us…….
Tnxxx 4 helping
Mani, you’re welcome.
thanks beautifulwithbrains and all who comment i found sme vasiline and i have tons of uses now thanks 4 the tips i love this blog:)
Courtney, you’re welcome. I’m glad you found this post useful and that you like my blog. 🙂
Whatever you may say about its efficacy and safety, it’s important to note that Unilever (the maker of Vaseline) tests its products on animals. So, if you’re looking for cruelty-free, you’ll need to turn to some other company. (Un-petroleum Jelly is one possibility.) Also, if you are petrochemical sensitive, as I am, you may have problems with Vaseline or any similarly derived product. If you have no skin sensitivity or animal sensibility, Vaseline can be a very useful product.
Sandi, thanks for your comment. I agree with you that vaseline is not suitable for those who are petrochemical sensitive or only want to use cruelty-free products. These aren’t problems for me but I can see why they are for others.
Vaseline is a petroleum product. Do you really want to rub that on your skin?
Stacy, it is true that it is derived from petroleum, but it undergoes a refining process to remove all the bad stuff from it. At the end of this process, vaseline becomes a completely different substance from petroleum, with a different chemical structure, different benefits and different side effects. So no, you’re not rubbing petroleum on your skin when you use vaseline. You’re slathering on only a safe and effective moisturizer.
Hi, great blog! vaseline is also fab for when you’ve got a cold coming on and your nose goes all red from how much you blow it. Putting vaseline on round the rim of your nose overnight stops it being bright red and stops the skin from flaking too 🙂
Louise, thanks. And thanks for sharing this tip too, it’s very good to know! 🙂
Are you serious? amazing, I never heard of this before. Good to know!
Miss Lego, I’m glad you enjoyed this post. Vaseline is a wonderful product, and so versatile!