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Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, is a skincare product that has been around for a long time. Some experts even believe that if skincare ingredients received Nobel Prizes, Vaseline would earn the honor! It is a simple product with many uses. Many dermatologists use it both in their offices and at home.
Let’s explore eight ways Vaseline can save your skin.
In the 1800s, Robert Chesebrough was refining petroleum. He created petroleum jelly and called it Vaseline. He even ate it! He drove around New York, selling Vaseline for different uses. To show how well it worked, he would burn himself with acid and then put Vaseline on the burn. The burns healed well. He told people not to try this at home. Vaseline was even used in wars to help soldiers heal wounds.
Even though Chesebrough ate Vaseline, it is not recommended. The petroleum in Vaseline is refined many times. Reputable companies make sure their Vaseline meets specific standards. This means it is safe and does not have many impurities.
Vaseline is also unlikely to cause allergies. In one study, they tested it on almost 900,000 people. Only two people had a reaction. One reaction may have been from the person’s whole back being inflamed. The other may have been a mistake in the study.
Vaseline is a great occlusive moisturizer. This means it helps prevent water loss from your skin. When your skin loses water, it gets dry. Vaseline locks in moisture and helps repair your skin.
People often use Vaseline as the last step in their skincare routine. This is called slugging. To slug, use a thin layer of serum and moisturizer, then a thin layer of Vaseline.
Vaseline can protect areas where you do not want other products to go. For example, you can use it around your eyes when using a chemical peel. This will protect your eyes from the chemical. People also put Vaseline on their hairline when dyeing their hair. This stops the dye from staining their forehead. You can also use it on your cuticles.
Vaseline can make other ingredients work better by trapping them on the skin. But be careful! Do not trap strong ingredients like retinoids on sensitive areas like your face or neck.
However, you can use Vaseline to make ingredients like urea more effective on thick skin like your feet. Apply the ingredient, then put Vaseline on top. This will help it soak deeper into the skin. You can also do this with steroid creams or vitamin D creams.
Put Vaseline on your skin before spraying perfume. The perfume will stick to the Vaseline and last longer. The Vaseline can also protect your skin from the fragrance. Fragrances can sometimes cause irritation or allergies.
Vaseline is great for healing wounds. It keeps the wound moist, which helps it heal faster. Many people think wounds need to dry out to heal, but this is not true. Keeping a wound moist with Vaseline can also help prevent infections. Studies show that Vaseline works as well as antibiotic creams for preventing infections.
After an injury or surgery, clean the wound and apply Vaseline. Keep it covered for two to three weeks. You can then switch to a silicone product to help prevent scarring. Vaseline can even help heal burns after the first day.
Some people worry that Vaseline will clog their pores and cause acne. But studies show that Vaseline is not likely to cause acne. However, it can trap bacteria on your skin if you do not cleanse your face before using it. So, always cleanse your face before slugging with Vaseline.
Some people may not like how Vaseline feels on their skin. But its benefits are hard to deny.
Vaseline is a great lip balm. If you have dry or chapped lips, Vaseline can help. It is very unlikely to cause allergies. You can also put Vaseline over your favorite lip moisturizer to lock in moisture.
Vaseline can also be used as an eye cream. It is good for dry or irritated skin around the eyes. It will not treat dark circles or wrinkles, but it can protect and moisturize the skin.
You can use Vaseline as a protective layer on your eyelids. Many prescription eye treatments have a Vaseline base. Vaseline can also protect your eyes when using chemical peels or retinoids. Cleanse first, apply Vaseline, then apply your retinoid or exfoliant.
Makeup artists also use Vaseline under the eyes before applying makeup. This stops the makeup from caking when you smile.
Vaseline is a safe, effective, and affordable skincare product. It has many uses, from moisturizing to healing wounds. It is a favorite among dermatologists. Don’t let people scare you away from using it. Vaseline can be a valuable addition to your skincare routine!
Ready to try some of these Vaseline hacks? Grab a jar and see how it can improve your skin!
Vaseline Intensive Care Vitamin B3 ingredients (Explained)
The Pros and Cons of Using Vaseline on Your Face
11 Petroleum Jelly Alternatives for Toxin-Free Nourishment
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Aveline Lux is a visionary writer and digital storyteller, using her blog on CitiWell Shop as a platform to explore the intersection of creativity, commerce, and culture.
Traveling extensively across continents, Aveline draws inspiration from different cultures and global trends, infusing her articles with unique perspectives and practical insights.
Aveline enjoys photography, hiking through nature trails, and curating playlists that fuel her creative process.
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