These Unexpected Vaseline Life Hacks Make Life Easier

Vaseline, the classic petroleum jelly that’s been around for nearly 150 years, has stood the test of time for a reason. This versatile product has a plethora of uses, from health and beauty to household and beyond. Whether you’re a long-time user or new to the world of Vaseline, you’ll be amazed at the many handy ways it can be used. Read on to discover the many ways Vaseline can make your life easier and more beautiful.

Make Your Eyelashes Softer

One of the facial features that we often overlook in our beauty routine is our eyelashes. It may seem hard to believe, but petroleum jelly is a great product to use on your eyelashes. All you need to do is put a drop on your lashes each night.

eyelash-extension-procedure-woman-eye-with-long-e-2022-02-03-23-56-31-utc
licsiren/Envato Elements
licsiren/Envato Elements

When you wake up in the morning, your lashes will be much softer. Vaseline is also a good substitute for mascara. It makes them slightly moist so your lashes look longer and darker.

Relieve An Itchy Scalp

There are many things that can cause an itchy scalp. You may have a skin condition or dandruff that makes it feel dry and prickly. Or perhaps you didn’t have time to shampoo it, and you’re starting to feel the adverse effects. The good news is that petroleum jelly can make it feel better.

pretty-girl-with-hair-loss-problem-looking-in-mirr-2022-12-16-06-45-22-utc
Prostock-studio/Envato Elements
Prostock-studio/Envato Elements

All you need to do is massage the product into the dry areas on you scalp. This will eliminate any itching and irritation. It’s a simple and quick solution to make your head feel much more comfortable.

Make Your Perfume Or Cologne Last Longer

Sometimes your perfume or cologne can wear off rather quickly, particularly if you sweat. That’s no fun if you’re going out for the night and want to smell really nice for your date. To extend the life of your sweet-smelling perfume or cologne, mix it with Vaseline.

spraying-perfume-2021-08-31-15-58-59-utc
DragonImages/Envato Elements
DragonImages/Envato Elements

The trick? Dab a bit of Vaseline on your wrists and/or neck before spritzing your favorite scent on your body. This will give your perfume and cologne a bit more staying power.

Paint Your Nails With Ease

Unless you’re a professional manicurist, polishing your fingernails and toes can be a slightly messy activity. But you can avoid some of the drips and excess nail polish with just a little bit of Vaseline.

nail-polish-2022-11-04-22-10-45-utc
djmon1que/Envato Elements
djmon1que/Envato Elements

Put some petroleum jelly on a cotton swab or Q-tip, and rub it around your cuticles. Then apply the polish. Any polish that goes outside of the nail will be easy to wipe off. And as a bonus the Vaseline will act as a moisturizer for your cuticles.

Keep Chaffing To A Minimum

Men in particular have a big problem with chafing when it comes to playing sports, but it can be bothersome for women as well. If you play soccer, basketball, go cycling, or take part in numerous other physical activities, you may need a lubricant to counter all the rubbing you may experience.

soccer-goalie-catching-the-ball-while-having-sport-2022-09-28-22-07-15-utc
drazenphoto/Envato Elements
drazenphoto/Envato Elements

Use the petroleum jelly on areas such as your thighs, groin, and armpits before you go on the field or take a run around your neighborhood. Your body will thank you for it.

Use It As A Lip Balm

Chapped lips can be really uncomfortable, but if you have a bit of Vaseline on hand you can take care of the problem in no time. Simply dab a little bit on and pucker up!

Vaseline
Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The company has its own line of Vaseline lip products, but you can get creative and make your own lip therapy. Simply take some Vaseline and add a little essential oil or Vitamin E for extra protection. Then use food coloring, eye shadow, or even lipstick to add some color. Voila! Instant lip balm.

Efficiently Remove Your Makeup

If you wear a lot of makeup, you know how trying it can be to remove it at the end of the night before you jump into bed. Rather than simply washing it off with a face cloth (and staining the cloth with lipstick and eye shadow), use some petroleum jelly.

black-young-woman-holding-cotton-pad-removing-face-2021-10-19-16-09-26-utc
@insta_photos/Envato Elements
@insta_photos/Envato Elements

Just put a bit of Vaseline on a cotton swab or Q-tip and gently wipe it across your eyelids to remove the makeup. This will make it a lot easier to rinse it all off when you wash your face.

Keep Slugs And Snails Out Of Your Garden

Vaseline’s amazing benefits extend all the way to the garden. If you mix a bit of petroleum jelly with some salt, you can apply it to the edges of your flower pots. This will keep pesky slugs and snails away.

little-snail-creeping-on-leaves-2022-11-16-21-51-03-utc
@OlgaGimaeva/Envato Elements
@OlgaGimaeva/Envato Elements

You can use this technique anywhere that you don’t want slugs, such as the borders of walkways and patios. People who have tried many other methods to keep slugs away swear that this way works the best.

Add It To Your Skincare Regime

If you’re prone to dry skin, you may have a nighttime moisturizing routine to keep it supple. Vaseline is great because it won’t clog your pores. This may sound surprising because it appears very greasy; however, the product won’t cause pimples.

woman-massaging-face-skin-with-moisturizing-mask-w-2022-11-18-00-25-22-utc
@burmistrovaiuliia/Envato Elements
@burmistrovaiuliia/Envato Elements

Vaseline is non-comedogenic and is actually a really effective moisturizer. It doesn’t soak into your skin like other facial products, so it’s best to use at night so you can wipe it off in the a.m.

Disguise Or Prevent Split Ends

You only need a tiny bit of Vaseline to disguise those pesky split ends. Simply dab a little bit of the product on the tips of your hair to hold you over until you can get to the beautician for a trim.

woman-at-home-looking-at-her-hair-checking-hair-c-2021-08-30-00-08-32-utc
@leszekglasner/Envato Elements
@leszekglasner/Envato Elements

This gives your hair the same benefits as expensive conditioning products. And as an added bonus, using it on healthy hair can help prevent split ends from occurring!

Safely Remove Eyelash Glue

If you wear eyelash extensions, i.e., fake eyelashes, you know how troublesome the glue can be sometimes. To avoid yanking out your actual eyelashes, all you need to do is dab on a bit of petroleum jelly. The product helps counter the affects of the glue.

girl-attaching-fake-eyelashes-in-front-of-a-bathro-2022-11-14-05-56-46-utc
@JulieAlexK/Envato Elements
@JulieAlexK/Envato Elements

Put a little bit of Vaseline between your finger and thumb and rub the jelly on the lashes until they and the glue comes off. It’s much more pleasant than pulling out the lashes.

Treat Cuts, Bruises, And Abrasions

Vaseline is a byproduct of oil drilling. In 1859, British chemist Robert Augustus Chesebrough discovered that the jelly had skin-healing properties. He observed oilmen using the jelly to treat cuts and burns and realized the potential of the product to help a lot of people.

it-wont-hurt-anymore-shot-of-a-mother-applying-a-2022-07-30-10-00-55-utc
@YuriArcursPeopleimages/Envato Elements
@YuriArcursPeopleimages/Envato Elements

Vaseline can be applied to your cuts, bruises, and other abrasions to prevent infection and ward off dirt and germs. It also helps you heal faster. The one thing it doesn’t have is antiseptic properties.

Treat Cracked Cuticles

If your hands are prone to dryness or you work in a profession where they’re constantly exposed to moisture, you may need a product to treat cracked cuticles. No one likes having pieces of their skin hanging off their fingernails — it’s unsightly and it’s uncomfortable.

Cracked Cuticles
Al Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Al Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Solve the problem by gently rubbing some Vaseline on your cuticles on a regular basis. This will promote healing and make them feel a little better. Over time, they’ll get back to normal and be nice and soft.

Extract Gum From Your Hair

Maybe you’ve fallen asleep with gum in your mouth. Or perhaps you have a child who’s accidentally (or purposefully) gotten gum in his or her hair. It’s a really sticky situation that can result in a lot of tears. But instead of cutting off the offending gum and hair, use petroleum jelly.

gum
H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images
H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images

All you have to do is rub the Vaseline around the gum, and slowly pull it out. Petroleum jelly is also a good product to help remove other sticky substances such as tree sap and syrup.

Stick Earrings In Effortlessly

You know the feeling you have when you haven’t worn earrings in a while and you try to stick that tiny metal post into your earlobe? It can be a challenge to get that earring in without causing a little bit of pain.

Day 6 - Street Style - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Madrid Spring/Summer 2020
Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images
Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images

Fortunately, Vaseline can come to your rescue. If your ear holes are slightly closed, just put a bit of petroleum jelly onto your lobes. It will aid inserting the earring post and won’t cause as much pain.

Prevent Your Bottled Tan From Streaking

If you know what’s good for you, stay out of the sun. Avoid suntanning and go for a bottled look instead. Unfortunately, self tanners can be a bit tricky to apply. To avoid streaks and orange patches of skin look no further than petroleum jelly.

Spring weather June 2nd 2019
David Mirzoeff/PA Images via Getty Images
David Mirzoeff/PA Images via Getty Images

Rub the Vaseline on trouble spots such as the ankles, hands, and behind the knees. The product will ensure that you get a more even tan. No one likes to have weird looking, orange streaks on their arms and legs.

Soothe, Protect, And Heal Your Skin

Vaseline is a wonderful product to use all over your skin. It can soothe, soften, and moisture your face, hands, elbows, and other parts. It also protects your skin by preventing chafing and friction. If you have athlete’s foot, simply put on some Vaseline to heal it.

GettyImages-1608135
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Petroleum jelly is mild enough for infants and babies and can prevent and heal diaper rash. It’s also okay to use on animals. In addition, Vaseline can be used to treat minor skin abrasions.

Create A Homemade Body Scrub

If you like making your own beauty products, look no further than Vaseline. It’s one of the key ingredients for a homemade body scrub. Simply mix two tablespoons of the product with one tablespoon of rock or sea salt.

Natural Organic Cosmetics Workshop
BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Apply the solution to your bath scrubby, wipe it across your arms and legs, and you will have smooth skin in no time. This is a great way to save a little money, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you created the body wash by yourself.

Make Bowel Movements Easier

If you suffer from hemorrhoids or other backside-related health issues, petroleum jelly is a great product to relieve some of the problems associated with these conditions. If you massage a little bit of the jelly around your tush it can help facilitate the evacuation of waste by providing a smoother path.

GettyImages-461078789
John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images
John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images

While Vaseline won’t take away any of the pain, it will help make the process move a little more efficiently. And let’s face it — any bit of help in this sensitive area will make you feel a little bit better.