Having so many cosmetic products in your medicine cabinet can get to be a lot—a lot of clutter, a lot of expense, and a lot of questionable ingredients you might not want to add to your skin or hair. But if there’s one product you always want to have on hand for a variety of uses (maybe even eliminating the need for a few of the other things you use), it’s petroleum jelly, better known by the trademark name of Vaseline.
This mixture of natural waxes and oils, approved by the Food & Drug Administration as a skin protectant, is an answer to many beauty woes, whether you’re worried about your lips, your hair, or even your cuticles.
However you are using petroleum jelly, it’s important to remember that this is a product intended for external use only. While no studies have found Vaseline to be toxic, it is not meant to be eaten or applied directly in the eyes or ears. Vaseline should also never be used as a sexual lubricant. Remember to always use commonsense and always go back to your usual cosmetics if you encounter problems with petroleum jelly.
1
Start with the basics—use Vaseline to soften your hands and feet. Because petroleum jelly doesn’t have any moisturizing ingredients of its own (it simply locks in moisture and allows your body’s natural oils to do their thing), you’ll want to start with a base layer of your favorite lotion. Then slather Vaseline on as a top layer before slipping on some soft gloves or socks. Try doing this before bed if you want to wake up with ultra-soft hands and feet.
2
Vaseline makes your eyelashes look darker and fuller than they would even if you had mascara on. Dip a clean mascara brush into a tub of Vaseline and apply it to your eyelashes. You can also apply some to your eyebrows to keep them shapely and prevent unruly hairs.
3
Use a soft toothbrush to apply Vaseline to your fingers to soften your cuticles. You can also put Vaseline on the border of your fingernails when you paint them to prevent polish from running across your skin. Once the fingernail polish dries, wipe the Vaseline off your fingers.
4
Petroleum jelly can make a great windburn protectant to keep you from chapping on bitterly cold winter days. Spread a thin layer on exposed cheeks, ears lobes, and lips before you go outside. During warmer months, you can use Vaseline to reduce chafing on your inner thighs or wherever you’re susceptible.
5
The next time you go to dye your hair, spread a little bit of Vaseline around your hairline to protect your skin from being stained by the dye. After you’ve rinsed the dye out of your hair, wipe the Vaseline away with a warm, wet washcloth.
6
Want to ensure you smell great all day? Apply a smear of Vaseline along your pulse points (inside your wrist or along your neck) and massage until smooth. Hit those spots with a spritz of your favorite perfume—the oils will absorb the scent and make it linger a lot longer than it would otherwise.
7
Get your hair under control by using Vaseline as a styling product. Men can use it to style their short hair (and even tame course beard hairs). Even long hair can benefit from having Vaseline combed through it—the oils are good for conquering frizzy hair and sealing split ends.
8
Put Vaseline on your cheeks to give them a subtle highlight and make your cheekbones look much more prominent. Because Vaseline is noncomedogenic, you don’t need to worry about clogging your pores.
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Need to reduce dandruff? Massage a dab of Vaseline into your scalp and allow it to sit for five minutes. Afterward, rinse it out with a combination of shampoo and baking soda.
10
If you nick yourself with a razor while shaving, you can use petroleum jelly as a makeshift bandage. Wipe away the blood and disinfect it with alcohol or peroxide. Then place a dime-size blot of Vaseline over the nick to stop the flow of blood.
11
When you’re sore from an intense workout or a stressful week, place a spoonful of Vaseline in a microwave-safe bowl and nuke it for a minute until it’s soft and warm. Apply it to your muscles and enjoy the warming sensation that will help unstiffen them and let you relax.
12
Petroleum jelly is great for fighting bites and stings. Store your jar in the freezer, then whip it out if you or a family member has been stung by a bee or bit by a mosquito. Smear a small amount of the chilled Vaseline across the bites and allow them to alleviate themselves.
