9 ways to incorporate Vaseline into your beauty routine

If you love that dewy, moisturized, no-makeup makeup look when it comes to skincare, grab that Vaseline tub out from under your sink and get ready to glow.

There’s always going to be a newer, shinier (and probably more expensive) skincare or makeup product coming out. But there is truly nothing better than making good use of what’s already in your medicine cabinet, and this everyday gem might be the most versatile product in your beauty and skincare routine.

Does anyone remember when Tyra Banks blessed her live studio audience with her “secret, super-duper, no-fail, skin-saving, eye and anything cream” and the crowd acted like she just gave them all beach houses with two cars that come in the garage? She literally threw jars of Vaseline into her audience and rolled around on the floor screaming about how “your wildest dreams have come true.” I’m not going to be that dramatic, but I will break it down for you.

Many years later, Vaseline has now become a staple for so many uses in beauty and skincare. It’s been praised for its versatility and is currently trending on TikTok as a beauty hack. The trend seems to be particularly popular right now as people are battling dry, winter skin and doing anything to get that moisturized glow.

@tanupaskincareI literally wore Vaseline on my lashes in middle school & told people I j had naturally thick long lashes 🤭 ##fyp ##vaseline ##skincare ##acne ##rosacea ♬ Mood – 24KGoldn

The product can really do it all, but is it okay to be putting on your face? I sat down with Dr. Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, CEO of Vibrant Dermatology and Skin Bar MD in greater Boston, Massachusetts, to elaborate on the great Vaseline debate.

What is Vaseline and how does it work on the skin?

“Vaseline works by creating a sealing barrier between cells, locking in moisture which helps to speed up your skin’s natural recovery from dryness,” says Dr. Ip. She also mentioned that the product can make skin appear more hydrated and youthful.

When used properly, Vaseline is a great product to include in your makeup and skincare routine. Petroleum jelly, the active ingredient in Vaseline, is gentle, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores. The water-repellant gel creates a seal on the surface of the skin to lock in moisture. However, the thick texture makes it difficult to cleanse, so Dr. Ip warned to never apply on an unwashed face, or you will be sealing in the dirt.

Is Vaseline safe to use on your skin?

The actual property of petroleum jelly can have its risks, but name brand Vaseline is a triple-purified product and regarded as non-carcinogenic. Although Vaseline may be safe, there can be other imitators out there that are less trustworthy, so keep an eye out for reputable brands that undergo professional product testing.

As with any product, there are some downsides despite the versatility of Vaseline. Dr. Ip assured me that Vaseline doesn’t cause acne, but it may not be great for those with extremely oily skin. Sometimes, it can cause milia cysts under the skin, so, if you are oily or prone to milia, you may want to avoid Vaseline.

If your skin is sensitive to the ingredients in Vaseline, there are other products that achieve the same effect. “Glass skin” is a popular skincare trend that originated in Korean beauty. Although Vaseline has been a common product in achieving this look, it isn’t the only one.

“The first step to achieving glowy, dewy skin is to have well-hydrated skin”, says Dr. Ip. “This can be accomplished by using moisturizers that have humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, emollients such as shea butter, cocoa butter, and ceramides…Retinol is also another great product. It helps to increase skin turnover which also helps achieve a dewy look.”

Below, here are nine ways to incorporate vaseline into your beauty routine for dewy, moisturized, and glowing skin.

1. Makeup primer

After cleansing and toning your face, try spreading a thin layer of Vaseline on your skin before you start applying your makeup. Apparently, this was one of Marilyn Monroe’s secrets!

2. Brow gel

Take a spoolie brush or clean an old mascara wand and brush through your brows with a coat of the product to shape and lift your brows.

3. Moisturizing and “slugging”

Popularized by skinfluencer Charlotte Palermino, “slugging” is a skincare trend that involves covering your whole face in a layer of Vaseline as the last step of your skincare as a way to help achieve the glassy skin look. To try slugging, generously apply the product before bed and wake up feeling SOFT AF.

4. Makeup remover

Dr. Ip confirmed that Vaseline works great to remove makeup. It can dissolve most makeup and is safe to use around the eyes. She recommends using a small amount and following up with a gentle cleanser.

5. Highlighter

Dab a bit on the upper and outer part of your cheekbones to add some shine.

6. Lip gloss

Simply use the product on your lips to hydrate, or mix with your favorite lipstick to create a moisturized tint.

7. Blush

Mix with a tinted blush product to add longevity and moisture.

8. Eyelash enhancer

Brush through your lashes with a cleaned mascara brush or spoolie and curl to define, thicken and darken lashes.

9. Perfume Base

Prep your wrists and neck with a little bit of Vaseline before spraying your fragrance to hold your scent longer.

Overall, Vaseline can be trusted to bring major relief to dryness, and act as a super safe makeup and skincare assistant. But as always, a patch test is a great option to see how your skin will react. There’s no harm in trying out one of the countless ways Vaseline can be incorporated into your beauty and skincare routine. I can almost guarantee it’s just sitting in your medicine cabinet, so why not experiment with a few new beauty hacks?