Is It Ok To Put Vaseline On Your Face?
Is it ok to put Vaseline on your face? Okay, so before we get into its depths, let me share my opinion with you.
Vaseline has always been a lifesaver for me. I have ridiculously dry skin, which gets even drier during winter. So, you can imagine the horror I had to go through every time the temperatures dropped.
Vaseline was the only protection that worked. I remember putting a thick layer of it on my face, and only that could prevent my skin from flaking.
In the summers, however, it is not really a preferable option. If you have oily or sensitive skin, it is something you should refrain from using. Vaseline particularly clogs pore and causes acne. Other than that, if you have skin like me and winters are just as scary for you, Vaseline is your pal.
However, this is not all that I have to say about Vaseline. There is a lot more that you need to know. It is best to read till the end and see for yourself if Vaseline is safe to use for the face.
Is It Ok To Use Vaseline On Your Face?
Just to make things clear, Vaseline is a popular moisturizing product that is indeed safe for people to put on their faces.
People may apply Vaseline to sort out their short-term skin concerns like irritation and dryness. Vaseline is also an excellent option when it comes to a long-term moisturizer.
Vaseline is an occlusive ingredient. That implies that, for most of the part, it does not really add any extra moisture to the face. While it is a moisturizing product, it does not necessarily moisturize your face.
What it exactly does is seal the existing moisture present in your skin. It also protects injured or irritated skin by creating a barrier or seal when you apply it.
With this barrier, petroleum jelly very effectively reduces the amount of moisture that you lose from your skin. As per studies, petroleum jelly does this way better than any other products like olive oil, lanolin oil, or mineral oils.
Vaseline prevents the skin from losing any moisture. So, it is safe to say that Vaseline is way better at moisturizing the face than any other moisturizing product. It does not add extra moisture to the skin. It just locks the existing one – something that no other product does.
How To Use Vaseline On Your Face?
It is best if you apply Vaseline on a bit of damp skin. As such, the best time when you can apply Vaseline is after the shower or when you are washing your face.
People usually apply Vaseline using their fingertips. So, before you use the product, it is necessary to make sure that your fingers are free of any dirt.
Make sure you are not applying a very thick layer. A thin layer is just enough and does the job. Over-application may just clog your pores and cause acne.
Benefits Of Using Vaseline On Your Face
Well, the benefits are many. Since I was a child, my mother used to come running after me with a tub of Vaseline every time winter came. So, the habit of using Vaseline kind of grew as I grew up.
But, as an adult, I have realized that Vaseline has some more benefits than just locking in the moisture in your face.
Let us go through some of those benefits:
Removes Makeup
Okay, first, you do not need to buy those overly expensive makeup removers. They come in different types – some clean, waterproof makeup; others don’t. The more specific they get, the more expensive they are. But what if I tell you that Vaseline does it all and at a very, very low price?
As Vaseline is petroleum-based, it dissolves every makeup in it, whether waterproof or not. And unlike other makeup removers, it is safe to use around the eyes. So, you can be at peace knowing that Vaseline can indeed take off your stubborn eye makeup, too. And you do not have to lose your lashes trying to remove your waterproof mascara.
Locks In Moisture
My skin loses moisture every second. No matter what I do or how much I moisturize my skin, it just does not stay the same. Especially at night, my skin used to suffer the most.
This is where Vaseline comes to the rescue. While most products just moisturize the skin, Vaseline locks it. So, you can be assured that in no way will your skin lose its moisture while you sleep.
Heals Minor Scrapes and Cuts
Vaseline forms a protective layer on the part of your skin where you apply it. This protective layer helps heal and keeps the bacteria away, thus protecting a healing wound.
Protects Chapped Lips
This is no news that we suffer from chapped lips every time. Regardless of the month or the season, it is something that bothers us every now and then. Take my advice and stop spending your money on expensive lip care products. While you can, if you want, a tube of Vaseline is enough to make your lips plump and juicy all year long.
It is also free of any perfumes or flavors. So, you do not even have to worry about getting an allergic reaction, and it is safe for use by babies, too.
Grooming And Styling Eyebrows
Those eyebrow cakes are expensive. You know, the ones where you spray some water for it to work? Let me tell you this – Vaseline is way better than any other eyebrow gel. Just a thin layer of it will make sure that your eyebrow hairs are just in place throughout the day.
Is It Ok To Use Vaseline On The Face With Chronic Skin Conditions
While Vaseline is safe for normal skin, is it good when you have chronic skin conditions? Let’s find out.
Rosacea
This is a very common inflammatory skin condition. The symptoms and triggers of Rosacea vary widely from one person to the other. But, as per experts, occlusives like Vaseline are safe for use. Some even claim that it is beneficial for people suffering from Rosacea. The “occlusive” property in Vaseline protects the inflamed and red skin and may even help in healing.
Psoriasis
A Psoriasis outbreak generally happens when you have dry skin. Applying Vaseline to the area where you notice Psoriasis symptoms is a good measure. However, it might not be very practical to use every day. You may just seal the moisture in your face with Vaseline without irritating the skin.
Aging
When researchers dived deep into the microbial action of petroleum jelly, they saw that this substance increases peptide regulation on the exterior of your skin. If you take care of your skin, you will know what peptides can do to you. They are basically your best friends once you reach the age of 25. Peptides are excellent in firming the skin.
Vaseline itself will not treat your wrinkles or shrink pores. However, locking the moisture on your skin is a necessary preventative measure that slows the aging process.
Not For Sun Damages
Vaseline is not suitable when it comes to treating sunburns or sun damage on your face. It is, after all, an oil-based product. This means it will seal in the heat and further aggravate the symptoms.
Even though the brand clearly states that you can use it to treat minor burns, it is best to use it to heal scars and many hours after the injury. Aloe, more of a natural memory, is better if you are looking to treat burns.
Not For Acne
As per the American Academy of Dermatologists, Vaseline will trigger outbreaks if you have acne-prone skin. This is something I have mentioned before as well. Petroleum jelly eventually clogs the pores, resulting in more acne breakouts than you can imagine. Others are other lighter options that can help you treat acne-prone skin better.
Is Vaseline Good for Dry Skin?
Well, as I mentioned before, Vaseline is an excellent product for dry skin. The way it locks moisture is truly impressive.
Now, if you still do not believe me, let me drop this small piece of advice that Quora has to say –
“Yes! Petroleum Jelly (Petrolatum) is the only ingredient in Vaseline and is highly effective in preventing water loss from the skin. However, it doesn’t add any moisture itself. If your skin is very dry, you can apply it regularly and wipe off any excess. Just be sure to keep well hydrated by drinking plenty of water so your body can restore moisture to the skin.
You can also apply a lightweight moisturizer before applying Vaseline to receive the benefits of both. There are also many Petroleum Jelly-based products that mix in ingredients that moisturize and soften the skin in other ways. Aquaphor is a great example of this, and Vaseline makes a number of these as well (Vaseline Intensive Care and Clinical Care)
If you don’t see an improvement after trying Vaseline and these other moisturizing products, you should talk to a dermatologist who can help diagnose any problems and find a solution.”
So, here it is clearly given that Vaseline is the best thing you can put on your skin to treat dry skin. It helped me, too. If it does not work for you, it is better to see a doctor and get special help, as dry skin might be a symptom of underlying skin issues.
Can You Use Vaseline on Sensitive Skin?
The brand itself claims that Vaseline is non-comedogenic. So, you probably do not have to worry about it triggering your skin. While they do claim that there is no harm, it is still a bit risky when it comes to people with sensitive skin. So, it is better to do a patch test before you apply it on your whole face.
Drawbacks Of Using Vaseline on Your Face
Well, the drawbacks are very few. Vaseline is that one product that is safe for every purpose. But it is better to know of these drawbacks to make sure it does not harm your skin.
Very Rare Allergic Reactions
While this is a very, very rare occurrence, Vaseline may trigger allergic reactions in some people. If you are sensitive to any petroleum products, it is better that you do not use Vaseline just to be on the safe side.
It Is Not Really a Moisturizer on Its Own
Let me break the bubble again. Vaseline is not a moisturizing product. Despite people claiming that it is, it only locks the natural moisture of your skin. So, if you tend to lose a lot of moisture, Vaseline just prevents it from happening. Thus, a lot of people think that Vaseline moisturizes your skin.
Seals Everything Else
Vaseline just does not seal the moisture in your face. It literally seals everything out there. So, if you have dirt and oil in your face, it is probably going to lock it, too. So, make sure you apply it on fresh and clean skin.
The Top Layer of the Skin Absorbs It Pretty Slowly
It might seem like it is very moisturizing, but Vaseline does not really do anything for your face. It only locks the moisture. One unsettling part about it is that it takes a lot of time to absorb. So, you might just have to walk around like a bottle of oil.
Thick On the Skin
If you are planning to use Vaseline underneath your makeup – just do not. It is very thick on the skin, so your makeup is going to look horrible with the Vaseline underneath. Just use a simple light moisturizer and primer to make the base.
The Bottom Line
I hope by now you know, “Is it ok to use Vaseline on your face?”
It is a very safe moisture barrier that may help with multiple minor skin concerns. It is a great makeup remover and can also be used on the eyes. And the best part is that it removes waterproof makeup without any hassle. If you have very sensitive skin, however, it is better to do a patch test before finally using it on your face.
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Lisa Gill
24 March, 2024
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