Discover 14 awesome vaseline hacks to make full use of this affordable jelly.
When I was a kid, my mom would put a Vaseline jar in my backpack during winters and ask me to put it on my skin if it got too dry.
As I got older, she and I together discovered new ways to make use of Vaseline.
Now, as a beauty and wellness enthusiast, it’s one of the most cherished things in my skincare box.
I never thought that a humble jar of petroleum jelly could be the ultimate beauty multitasker, but this thing is just that.
It’s a beauty guru in its own right, offering solutions that will beat the priciest products on your vanity.
If you want to level up your beauty routine while keeping things simple and budget-friendly, then please read on.
Here are the 17 best Vaseline beauty hacks:
17 Vaseline Tips You Should Know
1. Lock in Moisture for Glowing Skin
The first thing you should know about Vaseline acts as an occlusive, which means it locks in moisture really really well.
After applying your favorite moisturizer or serum, you can add a thin layer of Vaseline on top to seal the deal.
This technique is called ‘slugging’ in the world of skincare and it’s a holy grail for dry and sensitive skin types.
It’s perfect for keeping your skin hydrated through dry winters or after a night of sheet masks.
You’ll wake up with dewy and soft skin that’ll have you glowing brighter than your Instagram filter (I am not exaggerating, I promise).
Just avoid using it over active ingredients like retinol or AHAs as it might irritate your skin.
2. Treat Chapped Lips Easily
I have come across many great lip balms, but Vaseline still stays my go-to thing for treating chapped lips. I love the way it feels the moment I apply it.
You just need to slather a bit of Vaseline on your lips before bed, and you’ll wake up to shiny and soft lips.
You can also make a DIY lip scrub by mixing a pinch of sugar with Vaseline. Gently massage it onto your lips to exfoliate and reveal baby-soft skin underneath.
You can also dab a tiny bit of Vaseline over your lipstick. Instant glossy finish! I do this with my matte lipsticks all the time and love the result.
3. Tame Your Brows Instantly
I have a friend who used to spend good money buying brow gels, but then I told her that Vaseline works just as fine, and she now uses it instead.
Vaseline can tame even the wildest of brows with a simple swipe.
Just take a clean spoolie, dip it lightly into Vaseline, and brush your brows into shape.
Not only will it keep them in place, but it will also add a subtle natural sheen that’s very chic, I’m telling you.
You can also apply a little Vaseline to your brows every night. Over time, it can help condition and strengthen brow hairs, making them look fuller.
4. Strengthen and Shine Your Lashes
Which woman doesn’t dream of long and fluttery lashes, am I right?
Well, as you can probably guess by now, all you need for beautiful lashes is some Vaseline.
Apply a thin coat to your lashes before bed. While it won’t magically grow your lashes overnight, it will help moisturize and condition them.
Hydrated lashes are less prone to breakage, so you’ll be able to achieve that voluminous look over time if you stick to this habit.
As a bonus hack, let me tell you that you can also use Vaseline as a makeshift clear mascara for a natural no-makeup makeup look.
5. Get a Natural Highlighter Look
Wait, what? Vaseline, a highlighter?
That’s right, glow queens. You don’t really need a pricey highlighter to get that a dolled-up look.
You can dab a Vaseline on the high points (cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose) to use it as a highlighter.
The subtle sheen will give you a perfect dewy look, which is something I love going for when it’s freezing outside and my skin is dry all the time.
Another innovative tip: Mix Vaseline with your loose pigment or shimmer powder. It will work as a custom cream highlighter.
6. Soften Rough Skin Overnight
Vaseline is a miracle worker for dry, cracked heels, elbows, and knees.
Before going to bed, slather on Vaseline on your rough skin and slip on socks or long sleeves to lock in the moisture.
You’ll wake up with soft and supple skin that’s sandal-ready.
I use it on my knuckles that go rough every winter. Can’t do without Vaseline here:
For a spa effect, you can add a few drops of your fav essential oil to Vaseline before putting it on the rough area.
7. Hydrate Your Cuticles and Nails
If you have dry cuticles or flaky nails, then Vaseline is again your BFF.
Massage a small amount onto your cuticles daily to keep them hydrated and prevent hangnails.
Vaseline can also work as a barrier cream when you’re giving yourself an at-home manicure. Apply it around your nails to prevent polish mishaps and keep your mani looking salon-perfect.
For a quick nail shine, buff a bit of Vaseline over your nails. Instant healthy, glossy nails. No polish required.
These are the hacks I always use during my monthly home manicure sessions. They really really help, I promise.
8. Remove Makeup Like A Pro
If you ever run out of your micellar water or cleansing balm, then you can use Vaseline instead. It will dissolve even waterproof makeup in a pinch.
Gently massage a small amount over your face, then wipe it away with a warm damp cloth.
It’s gentle on the skin and perfect for those late nights when you just want to crash.
Heads up, though! After using Vaseline as a makeup remover, always double cleanse to get rid of all traces of makeup residue.
9. Smooth Frizz and Flyaways
Flyaways and frizz can be a real bummer, huh? I should know. I’ve had frizzy hair for as long as I can remember.
To tame my hair, I always have to take extra measures, and Vaseline is one of my best hacks for it.
To tame your unruly hair strands, you just need to rub a tiny amount between your palms and smooth it over your hair.
Oh, and by the way, Vaseline is also a lifesaver for split ends!
You can also use it around your hairline before dyeing your hair. It will prevent stains on your skin. My mom loves this one.
10. Make Your Perfume Last Longer
Did you know you can make your scent last all day by applying Vaseline to your pulse points before spritzing your perfume?
The Vaseline acts as a base, helping the fragrance adhere to your skin and prolonging its staying power.
If you’re really obsessed with smelling good all day, then you can keep a mini jar of Vaseline in your bag for quick perfume touch-ups. You’ll be fresh and fabulous all day long!
11. Calm Red or Irritated Skin
Whether it’s windburn, a rash, or a minor burn, Vaseline’s gentle formula can help soothe and protect irritated skin.
It creates a barrier that promotes healing while keeping out dirt and bacteria.
The best use of this tip for me comes when I have to shave or wax hair.
Post shaving and waxing, the skin is seriously stripped of moisture, and even the best body lotions might not be good enough to help your skin heal.
But a Vaseline is more than enough for calming post-shaving and waxing redness and irritation. You don’t really need anything else here, seriously.
12. Use as an Affordable Eye Cream
The older I get, the more I find myself reaching for eye creams, but they can be so darn expensive. Ugh!
But Vaseline is a fantastic alternative for locking in moisture around the delicate eye area.
So, for those broke days, you can safely use it instead eye creams.
Just dab a tiny amount under your eyes before bed. You’ll wake up looking refreshed and well-rested.
Just avoid getting Vaseline too close to your actual eye to prevent irritation, alright?
13. Create Custom DIY Beauty Products
If ever get in the mood to be creative with beauty stuff, then you should know that Vaseline is an awesome base for all sorts of DIY beauty concoctions.
You can mix it with beetroot powder for a natural lip and cheek tint.
You can blend it with your favorite essential oil to make a personalized body balm.
And you can also combine Vaseline with glitter to make a festive body shimmer which will be perfect for parties and festivals.
14. Pack It for Travel Emergencies
I’ve recently started traveling more, and packing all my beauty thingies in a makeup bag is a big hassle.
But now, I have decided to forgo some products and just take my Vaseline with me.
I mean, a mini tub of Vaseline is all you need to tackle beauty emergencies on the go, so why not make use of it while traveling?
As we’ve already seen, you can trim rogue brows with it, tame your flyaways, moisturize your dry lips and hands. It’s a true lifesaver!
It’s also TSA-friendly and will fit perfectly in your carry-on.
And on, here’s another one — You can use Vaseline to keep small jewelry from tangling in transit.
How? Just apply a thin coat of it between your delicate jain. It will create enough friction to keep them from becoming a tangled mess. Smart, right?
15. Take Care of New Tattoos
Vaseline is often recommended for its healing and protective properties.
So, if you ever get a tattoo, you can use it to keep the tattooed area moisturized while preventing scabs and cracks.
But just a reminder, do consult your tattoo artist for specific aftercare instructions so that there are no skin mishaps.
16. Gentle Exfoliation
If you Vaseline with a pinch of baking soda, you’ll get a gentle and effective exfoliator.
You can use to slough away dead skin without irritating sensitive areas.
Use it on your face, lips, or even rough spots like elbows and knees.
Eco-Friendly Bonus: This DIY scrub is kind to both your skin and the environment—no microplastics here!
17. Shine and Protect Leather Goods
Okay, this one’s a bit offbeat but very much worth mentioning.
If you have any leather goods like a bag or shoes, then you can use Vaseline to polish them in a pinch.
It will restore their shine and even help protect against water damage.
You can also dab a little Vaseline on scuffed patent leather to make it look as good as new.
Vaseline is Awesome, Right?
By now, I think you’ll agree with me that Vaseline is the unsung hero of the beauty world. It’s affordable, versatile, and really effective.
Whether you’re a minimalist or a full-blown product junkie, you should add this classic staple to your beauty collection.
Next time you spot that little jar sitting on the shelf, buy it and give these Vaseline tips a try, and share your favorites in the comment box.
