How to Use Petroleum Jelly for Beauty Uses

Petroleum jelly might not be the first product that you think of when it comes to your beauty routine, but it can actually be a multitasking superstar. Whether you want healthy, smooth skin, smooth lips, or eyes that pop, a little petroleum jelly can help.^{[1]XExpert SourceNini Efia Yang
Makeup ArtistExpert Interview. 27 August 2019.} It can even banish bad hair days! You just have to know how to use it the right way to make you feel your most beautiful.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Achieving Beautiful Skin with Petroleum Jelly

1
Moisturize your face.^{[2]XExpert SourceNini Efia Yang
Makeup ArtistExpert Interview. 27 August 2019.} If you have chronic dry skin or tend to get dry patches in cold weather, petroleum jelly can be an effective moisturizer for your face. It creates a barrier over your skin that helps lock in the natural oils and moisture. Massage it over dry areas of the face or apply a light coat to your entire face.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Even after you rub petroleum jelly in, your skin may be slightly shiny and tacky. As a result, it’s usually best to use it as a night cream.
- Despite its heavy consistency, petroleum jelly doesn’t clog your pores so it shouldn’t cause any breakouts. If you have acne-prone skin, though, it’s best to ask your dermatologist before using it as a moisturizer.
- Petroleum jelly isn’t just for moisturizing your face. Use it on any dehydrated patches of skin, such as cracked heels, ragged cuticles, or dry elbows.
2
Highlight your cheekbones. If shimmery highlighters are too heavy for you, substitute a little petroleum jelly. Its shiny finish catches the light without chunky glitter so you get a more natural highlighting effect. Use your finger to lightly dab and blend a small amount of the jelly along the tops of your cheekbones.^{[4]XResearch source}
- If you apply a heavy layer of the jelly, it can make your skin look greasy instead of highlighted. Start with a very small amount of petroleum jelly to avoid applying too much.
- You can also highlight your brow bone with the petroleum jelly.
- If you prefer, you can use a makeup sponge to lightly press the petroleum onto the high points of your face.
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3
Protect your skin from hair dye and self-tanner streakiness. Because petroleum jelly provides an effective barrier over your skin, it can help keep your skin from getting colored by hair dye or developing streaks from self-tanner. Apply a light layer on areas where you don’t want the dye or self-tanner to soak into the skin before you begin your hair coloring or self-tanning process.^{[5]XResearch source}
- When you’re dyeing your hair, smooth the petroleum jelly around your hairline on your forehead, around your ears, and at the nape of your neck.
- When you’re self-tanning, rub a thin layer over your wrists, ankles, elbows, and knees to keep the tanner from collecting in dry patches and developing streaks.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Applying Petroleum Jelly To Your Lips

1
Exfoliate your lips. If you have rough, flaky lips, you can use petroleum jelly to create an effective scrub that removes the dead skin. Mix a small amount of the jelly with sugar to create a gritty lip scrub. Massage it over your lips and wipe it away with a tissue or clean washcloth.^{[6]XResearch source}
- You can also exfoliate your lips by applying a layer of the petroleum jelly to your lips and using a clean toothbrush to gently scrub away the dead skin.
2
Moisturize your lips. When you have dry, chapped lips, petroleum jelly makes an extremely effective lip balm.^{[7]XExpert SourceNini Efia Yang
Makeup ArtistExpert Interview. 27 August 2019.} Just as it does with your skin, it helps lock in moisture and soothes flaky, cracked skin. Use your finger to apply a small amount of the petroleum jelly over your lips, and allow several minutes for it to sink into the skin.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If you plan to apply lipstick after the petroleum jelly, use a tissue to blot your lips first. That will remove any petroleum jelly residue that might keep your lipstick from going on evenly.
3
Create custom lip gloss shades.^{[9]XExpert SourceNini Efia Yang
Makeup ArtistExpert Interview. 27 August 2019.} If you need a certain shade of lip gloss that you can’t find at the store, use petroleum jelly to create a custom gloss. Mix a small amount of the petroleum jelly with loose powdered eye shadow or blush in the shade you want. Apply the mixture to your lips with a brush for a pretty, glossy lip color.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Add as much or as little of the eye shadow or blush pigment to create the shade that you want. The more pigment that you add, the more concentrated the gloss shade will be.
- If you don’t have loose eye shadows or blushes, scrape a little powder from a pressed version to mix with the petroleum jelly.
- You can also use powdered drink mixes, such as Kool Aid, to color the petroleum jelly. Not only will the mix color the jelly, but it will also flavor it as well. For example, make a cherry-colored and flavored gloss with Cherry Kool Aid.
If you have the perfect shade of lipstick but wish it was glossy and shiny instead of matte, petroleum jelly can help. Apply the lipstick to your lips as you normally would, and blot it with a tissue. Next, dab a light layer of the petroleum jelly over your lips for a glossy finish.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Petroleum Jelly On Your Eyes

1
Condition your eyelashes. If you want longer, thicker lashes, petroleum jelly can help condition them so they’re softer and less brittle. Use a clean spoolie to gently coat your lashes or rub a small amount over your lashes with your fingers before bed each night. You’ll wake up with healthy, soft lashes.^{[11]XResearch source}
- If you don’t like mascara, you can apply the petroleum jelly during the day. Not only will it condition your lashes, but it can also help define your lashes without adding any color.
2
Tame your eyebrows. When you run out of your usual brow gel, petroleum jelly can help keep your brows in place all day. Dip a clean spoolie or brow brush in the jelly, and comb your brows into place.^{[12]XResearch source}
- If you don’t have a spoolie or brush, rub a small amount of petroleum jelly over your brows to smooth them in place.
3
Add shine to matte eye shadows. If you’re tired of your usual matte eye shadows, petroleum jelly can help give them a shiny, almost wet look that’s sure to turn heads. Dab a light layer of the petroleum jelly over clean eyelids as a base, and use a small, dense eyeshadow brush to press the matte shadow over the jelly to give it a glossy sheen.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Be sure to wipe off the brush on a tissue or towel if you have dip back into the shadow after it’s already touched the petroleum jelly on your lid. The petroleum jelly can leave a film on a pressed shadow that may ruin it.
4
Remove stubborn eye makeup. Waterproof mascara and eyeliner can be extremely difficult to remove. If you’ve washed your face and there’s still residue from your makeup, take a small amount of petroleum jelly on a cotton swab and run it along your lashline to remove the makeup.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Petroleum jelly can also help remove eyelash glue. Rub it along your lashline, and you’ll be able to pull off your lashes with ease.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Finding Other Beauty Uses for Petroleum Jelly

If you’re tired of your favorite fragrance fading before the end of the day, dab a very small amount of petroleum jelly on the inside of your wrists, behind your ears, and anywhere else that you normally apply perfume. When you spray the fragrance over the areas, it will cling to the jelly so it lasts longer.^{[15]XResearch source}
2
Control flyaway hairs and hide split ends. If you’re having a bad hair day, petroleum jelly can help smooth flyaway hair and disguise split ends. Tame flyaways by placing a pinch of the jelly in your palm, rubbing it between your hands, and smoothing it over your hair. For fried-looking ends, dab a very small amount on your fingers and run it over the ends to smooth them.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Be careful not to go overboard when using petroleum jelly on your hair. If you apply too much, your locks can wind up looking greasy and limp.
If you find yourself frustrated with nail polish bottles that won’t open because of dried polish along the rim, petroleum jelly is the answer. Before you close the bottle after polishing your nails, spread a small amount of the jelly along the rim. The bottle will open easily the next time you use it.^{[17]XResearch source}
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Question
Can you put petroleum jelly on your lips?
Nini Efia Yang
Makeup Artist
Nini Efia Yang is the Owner of Nini's Epiphany, a San Francisco Bay Area makeup and hair studio. Specializing in bridal makeup with almost 10 years of experience, her work has been featured in Ceremony Magazine, They So Loved, and Wedding Window.
Nini Efia Yang
Makeup Artist
Expert Answer
You can use petroleum jelly as a lip balm, as it is good for your skin. Try mixing petroleum jelly with eyeshadow color to make a lip balm with a tint of color.
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Can petroleum jelly cause cancer?
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Petroleum jelly will not cause cancer. There is no scientific proof that short-term or long-term of use causes cancer. Petroleum Jelly is good for beauty uses.
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Will petroleum jelly help me get clear skin?
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Nothing is 100%, but Vaseline can get rid of some blemishes and red spots on your face, which can clearly make a difference when gone. Face masks and brushes that are specially made for this purpose will help as well.
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Tips

If you’re uncomfortable using petroleum jelly, there are a variety of alternative products that feature beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, and other natural ingredients for a petroleum jelly-like texture.
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