10 genius uses for Vaseline in your beauty routine (it’s not just for lips!)

Who says Vaseline is boring?

Simple? Yes.

Classic? Always.

Cheap-as-chips and value for money? Absolutely.

Boring? NEVER.

On the contrary, Vaseline is such a diverse product that you can use it for a whole range of things — from skincare to hairstyling and even baking, at one time.

Not. Kidding. In 1886, Manufacture and Builder reported: “French bakers are making large use of vaseline in cake and other pastry. Its advantage over lard or butter lies in the fact that, however stale the pastry may be, it will not become rancid.”

Another fun fact: Soon after Robert Chesebrough, an oil prospector, founded Vaseline in 1872, Queen Victoria knighted him, telling the inventor that she used it every single day!

And, yes, that makes this ubiquitous petroleum jelly, whose name is a combination of the German wasser (water) and Greek oleon (oil), one-and-a-half-centuries old!

Which in itself should tell us everything we need to know about Vaseline’s uses… because there are not many products that manage to stick around for more than 150 years, without any changes in the formula.

competence, efficacy and well proven results.this, the inventor lived to be 96 years old.

Another bonus fact:

Today, you will see big tubs of Vaseline at literally every fashion week, photo shoot, red carpet event, dermatologist’s office and hair salon, hiding in plain sight.

Here are some of my favourite uses for Vaseline, gleaned from picking the brains of leading beauty professionals over many, many years.

Vaseline as eye makeup remover

A dab of Vaseline can remove even the most stubborn mascara while soothing the eye area — just massage it in gently and wash off with warm water.

Vaseline as body scrub

Vaseline mixed with a handful of sea salt (or sand, if you are on the beach and want to make like the Brazilians) works as a great exfoliator.

Vaseline as lip scrub

Looking for another one of Vaseline’s uses? Apply a thick layer to your lips and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then scrub it off with an old (gentle) toothbrush for fabulously soft and smooth lips. Re-apply a thin layer to seal in moisture.

Vaseline as manicure mender

Dabbing a bit of Vaseline on the base of your nails will stop the colour from running onto the fingers.

Vaseline for shaving

Run out of shaving cream? Apply a thin layer of Vaseline and then shave.

Don’t use water and remember to keep rinsing the razor as you go. It can be slightly greasy but will leave you with superbly soft and smooth skin.

Vaseline as highlighter

Professional makeup artists call on this use of Vaseline all the time, especially during catwalk shows — apply a very thin layer of the balm on cheeks and under the eyes for that dewy look.

Vaseline as cream blusher

Another one of Vaseline’s uses is to create a custom blush. Simply mix a dab with your powder blush (or even lipstick) to make your own cream blusher.

Vaseline as fragrance fixer

Applying a thin layer of vaseline on your wrist (and other pulse points) before spraying on perfume will make the scent last much longer. Just one of the little known uses for Vaseline!

Vaseline to protect skin from hair dye

Every hair colourist worth their name knows this one — you need to apply a layer of Vaseline around the hairline before colouring your hair.

This not only prevents stains but also protects skin from the harsh chemicals in the dye.

Vaseline to seal split ends

While nothing can mend split ends, rubbing in some Vaseline can temporarily seal them, creating the illusion of sleek, damage-free hair.

Did you know that the first ever Vaseline Lip Therapy limited edition — Crème Brûlée — was the fastest selling product in Selfridges’ entire history?