Can You Apply Vaseline For Naturally Glowing Skin?

What if we said you can have a natural glow for less than $2 with just one product that is likely lying around in your vanity? Too good to be true? It isn’t – Vaseline has entered the group chat. We remember our mothers’ go-to staple for us as kids when it came to any form of “skincare routine” was slathering us with a bunch of Vaseline. They were clearly on to something.

The assumption: Moisture

We all know Vaseline (aka 100% petroleum jelly) can be a little wet and slippery, hence why its biggest purchaser is probably the boxing industry – punches are likely to slip off your face more. But it doesn’t add more moisture to your face. Better yet, it acts as a skin protectant to prevent your skin’s natural moisture from escaping (a mouthful technical term called occlusiveness). It can be a superior product to many face moisturizers because it locks in hydration without adding other ingredients that may irritate your skin.

The assumption: Breakouts

Breakouts can be associated with using Vaseline directly on skin, usually if it’s applied over unwashed skin and it can be difficult to wash off even with cleansers. Because Vaseline is oil-based, don’t put it on your face if you are having an active breakout. It tends to be comedogenic, so depending on your skin, it may clog pores. Not everyone shares this belief – acne-prone users over at Reddit’s Skincare Addiction swear that Vaseline is a dream for soothing irritation and redness while calming inflammation. One user wrote: “Personally it works pretty good for me, my acne never comes up to a head if I apply vaseline onto it.”

The assumption: Primer

Not only can you use Vaseline to remove your makeup, you can add a small amount to your moisturizer or use as a primer before foundation. We suggest using the jelly only on areas that are dry or uneven for a smoother appearance of makeup application. To avoid smudging, use a thin layer of Vaseline as primer. There is no real benefit to mixing it with other products and you may end up wasting products trying to get the right consistency.

If 100% petroleum jelly isn’t your thing, try these petroleum-based products: Aquaphor and Homeoplasmine.

Photo by @ryarashahidi