THESE 46 INNOVATIVE USES FOR VASELINE PROVE IT’S NOT JUST FOR SKIN

Vaseline’s something most of us have hiding at the bottom of our handbags. It’s a cheap and effective balm that’s been used for decades to cure dry lips, but what most people don’t know is that it has a whole host of other uses too. 

Today we’re sharing the ultimate list of vaseline uses to show you how to make the most of this cheap beauty staple.

Ready? Grab your pot and let’s get started!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally posted in June 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in December 2018. 

Household uses for vaseline

1. Distress your furniture

You can find some real bargains at car boot sales or second hand shops, but often furniture will need a bit of TLC, or even a complete facelift.

With Vaseline it’s easy! You can create a distressed look using it alongside different colours of paint. Find out how at SalvagedInspirations.

2. Unstick drawers 

Is that stuck drawer driving you crazy? Use Vaseline along the sides to prevent it from getting caught and it’ll slide more smoothly than ever.

3. Deter squirrels

Protect your bird feeder! If a local squirrel has been stealing all your bird feed, use Vaseline to bamboozle him. 

It won’t harm the little critters, but they won’t be able to climb up the pole if you apply a good amount of lubrication.

4. Loosen lightbulbs

Apply a small amount of Vaseline to the base of your lightbulb before you screw it into place. In the future when it comes to changing the lightbulb, you shouldn’t have any problems with removing it.

5. Shine shoes

Going somewhere you need to impress and you can’t find any shoe polish? Head to the bathroom and grab a tiny bit of Vaseline to create a quick shine, then head out the door with a smile on your face.

6. Fix a squeaky door

Struggling to sneak into the kitchen for a midnight feast with a noisy door? Don’t let it ruin your fun – grab a bit of Vaseline to rub on both sides of the door hinge for soundless snacking.

7. Remove CD scratches

Still enjoy playing CDs?

If your CD or DVD has visible scratches then it probably won’t play smoothly. Did you know that you can remove them with Vaseline?

Rub Vaseline onto the back of the disk in circular motions, then wipe clean with a cloth to remove grease – simple!

8. Prevent stuck nail polish tops

Help prevent nail polish bottle caps from getting stuck by rubbing some around the neck. This will prevent a build-up of nail polish so it will remain easy to open.

9. Remove stuck rings

Don’t panic if you’ve got a ring stuck on your finger! Grease it up with Vaseline and it should slide off easily.

10. Smoother shower curtains

Is your shower curtain getting stuck and annoying you in the morning? Make it slide more easily by lubricating the rod with some Vaseline.

11. Remove gum

Rub Vaseline into any chewing or bubble gum stuck under a table, continuing until the gum starts to break down. You may want to use rubber gloves for this one!

12. Fix a stuck zip

Don’t get caught with your flies undone – rub a little bit of Vaseline up and down both sides of the stuck zip to help un-stick it.

Vaseline for hair

13. Vaseline hair serum

Serums are designed to smoothen and add shine to hair, but you needn’t invest in an expensive product.

Put a REALLY TINY amount of Vaseline and rub it into your hands and then apply it to your hair. The effect will vary depending on your hair type, so start small. Take care not to use too much, you don’t want greasy hair!

14. Hair gel

Vaseline can be great for short hair too! If you’ve left your hair gel at home but have Vaseline to hand, you can use it to mould your hair into place.

15. Hair mask

If your hair is dry and damaged, it’ll be crying out for some moisture. You can apply Vaseline from roots to tips and leave for 20 minutes under a shower cap to give it some love.

16. Grow your hair with Vaseline

Let’s face it, every wants to know how to get long hair. Could the secret ingredient be Vaseline?

When applied to the scalp, it is thought to increase hair growth and also prevent hair loss. This one could be worth a go!

Vaseline for skin

17. Moisturiser

Could Vaseline Petroleum Jelly be proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune when it comes to getting gorgeous skin?

Many claim that apply Vaseline after your nighttime moisturiser and sleeping with it on leaves you with amazingly soft, clear skin. We’ll definitely be giving this one a go!

18. Vaseline for cold sores

Whilst Vaseline, sadly, won’t be able to provide a miracle cure for cold sores, it will be able to ease any pain related to cracking. 

19. Eczema

As with dry skin and cold sores, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly can also alleviate the symptoms associated with Eczema by providing and locking in moisture.

20. Treat acne

Unlike many other beauty products, which are known to clog the pores, either causing acne or making it worse, Vaseline does not, so you can use it as much as you’d like! It’s great for spot-prone skin.

21. Rub Vaseline across bridge of nose

This is a rather weird one, but a remedy you may want to try nonetheless.

Many swear by rubbing Vaseline across the bridge of their nose when they develop a cold. For babies, when applied just underneath the nose, it can help prevent redness and irritation too.

Miscellaneous beauty uses for Vaseline

22. Lip scrub

We’ve all heard of using Vaseline as a lip balm, but did you know you can add sugar to it to create a scrub for treating dry, cracked lips? Massage onto lips to provide gentle exfoliation and leave them silky smooth.

23. Use Vaseline to remove old eyelashes

It’s important to remove your falsies correctly to prevent damage to your real ones.

Use a cotton bud to dip into your Vaseline pot and then swab onto the false eyelashes. Wait for the glue to soften, then use warm water to rinse it off.

 24. Eye shadow

If you haven’t got any exciting makeup and you’re heading off on big night out, turn to Vaseline to help. By applying underneath powders, you can create a quick, shiny effect for that fun night out on the town.

25. Prevent lipstick stains

Wearing a fetching, but bright shade of lipstick today? Rub some trusty Vaseline onto your teeth to help prevent your lipstick from sticking to them. Now you can pose for photos without a care in the world.

26. Tame eyebrows

Want to know the secret to amazing eyebrows?

If you’ve got rogue brows, use Vaseline to get them behaving. Just slick a tiny bit onto your brows to achieve a tidy look. Phew.

27. Moustache wax

If you’re bored of your tache and want to mix it up a bit, use a teeny bit of Vaseline to coax those unruly hairs into a style.

Want more moustache and beard tips? Check out our article on how to grow facial hair fast. 

28. Keep hair dye off skin

If you’re colouring your hair at home, use Vaseline around your hairline, ears and neck to act as a barrier and prevent any stains.

29. How to thicken eyelashes with Vaseline

According to several different websites, applying Vaseline to your lashes before going to bed might help to stimulate hair and lash growth. Just remember to wash it off in the morning.

30. Expert manicure

Apply Vaseline to the skin around your nails to keep nail polish away. You’ll get the perfect manicure without having to clean up!

31. Soft feet treatment

Want to know how to get soft feet for good? Vaseline can help get rid of hard skin.

Rub a coat onto your feet at night, stick a pair of socks on and you’ll wake up to lovely supple feet. It’s the perfect treatment to get your feet in order for summer time.

32. Cuticle care

Before you even start considering a manicure at home, it’s a good idea to give your cuticles some TLC, especially if you want to get long nails.

Massage Vaseline into your fingernails and nail-bed every night to help soften your cuticles. You’ll help prevent dryness and heal cracked skin.

33. Prevent chafing

Are you a fan of running? If it’s too hot to wear leggings or long sleeves and you’re worried your skin will chafe, apply Vaseline.

You can use Vaseline on your feet, toes and anywhere else you need it to help prevent irritation.

34. Easy earring insertion

If you’re not a regular earrings wearer then the first time might be a little tricky. Rub a small dollop of Vaseline over your ears to help guide the earrings in.

35. Vaseline makeup remover

Believe it or not, Vaseline could even help you to get rid of makeup.

Apply a small amount of Vaseline to your eyelid, then using a cotton pad ,wipe off the Vaseline and your make-up. What a fab beauty hack.

36. DIY skin highlighter

Now onto a makeup hack. You can get that dewy, ‘illuminated’ look by putting a tiny dab of Vaseline onto your brow bones and cheekbones. 

37. Whiten teeth with Vaseline

Have you ever heard of using baking soda for beauty? Teamed with Vaseline, it can be used as a teeth-whitening remedy.

Add 2 tsp baking soda to Vaseline petroleum jelly and apply to dry teeth using a toothbrush. Leave for a minute, then rinse clean. Repeat a few times a week for best results.

Health benefits of Vaseline

Now onto some even more remarkable uses for Vaseline. Discover how it can help your health below…

38. Vaseline for burns

Believe it or not, the original uses for Vaseline were all to do with health. It was thought to be particularly helpful for burns, although now there are doubts as to whether this method could actually cause more harm than good.

Applying Vaseline petroleum jelly to a fresh burn can inhibit the access of air to the wound, making it more painful and preventing it from healing. However, once a burn has started to heal, Vaseline can prevent the skin from becoming excessively dry and also reduce pain. 

Use it wisely!

39. Scabs

Speaking of healing wounds, Vaseline can be great when used on scabs. Scabs can get hard and are prone to flaking which slows down the healing process – a small blob of Vaseline can help prevent this.

40. Stitches

Had to get stitched up? Stitches can be irritating, so it’s best to look after your wound correctly so it can heal as fast as possible.

It’s likely your doctor will have given you instructions on how to care for your wound. This will usually include covering the clean wound with a thin layer of ointment – i.e Vaseline – before covering with a bandage.

41. Cure constipation

Whilst Vaseline won’t cure your constipation, it can help to alleviate the symptoms associated with it.

For babies and young children, applying a small amount of vaseline around the anus can prevent fissures. Similarly, if you need to take their temperature, Vaseline can help ease in a thermometer.

42. Breastfeeding

Struggling to breastfeed? You’re not alone! 

If your battle to feed naturally is leaving you with sore, cracked nipples, apply Vaseline to help soothe them. Just be sure to wipe it all off before you let your baby suckle.

43. Ear mites

Whilst it’s not recommended to use Vaseline on ticks, it can be used for pet’s ear mites. Smother the inside of their ear in Vaseline, and the thick ointment will suffocate the infestation. As a bonus, the Vaseline will also soothe any redness. 

44. Canker sore

Canker sores can be caused by many things, some as simple as eating a spicy curry. Most of the time, they heal by themselves, however this can be an uncomfortable process.

Applying a thin layer of Vaseline petroleum jelly to the sore will prevent it from being aggravated by rubbing against teeth.

45. Soothe cradle cap with Vaseline

Rough, scaly patches on a baby’s head go by the name of cradle cap. Whilst it may look worrying, it’s actually very common, so there’s no need to worry.

Treating it is simple. Warm a small amount of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline in your hands and gently apply to your baby’s scalp. Leave overnight to see a drastic improvement in the morning.

46. Nappy rash

Your baby’s skin is dry and sensitive. Exposed to the air, fabrics and soaps, it can easily become irritated.

Nappy rash is caused by tight nappies or prolonged exposure to faeces and urine.