Vaseline: it’s that little clear tub that your mother always kept in the medicine cabinet when you were growing up. You probably weren’t sure what it was for. Maybe your mom rubbed it on your chest for some reason whenever you were sick.
Now that you’re an adult, you’ve likely heard of the ways that Vaseline can help moisturize dry skin. That alone should be enough to endear it to you! But there’s a secret: Vaseline is actually one of the most versatile things you can keep at home.
That’s right, it’s not just for soothing sore elbows now. Vaseline has a use in every room in your house, and then some. If there was ever a medicine cabinet item that could be called a “jack of all trades,” Vaseline would be it!
It’s perfect for everything from soothing chapped skin to lubricating squeaky doors, getting stuck rings off of fingers, and protecting your car engine. If you love makeup but you’re also budget-conscious, you can use it to revitalize old eyeshadows, make your own lip gloss, or bring a shine to your cheeks.
Basically, when you said you’d never become your mom, you were wrong. Everyone needs Vaseline in their medicine cabinet.
1. Soften your dry feet.
Vaseline is the perfect way to get relief on dry, cracked feet. Just slather some Vaseline on before bed, then slip on a pair of thick socks. In the morning, you’ll have newly soft skin.
2. Use it as a face moisturizer.
Vaseline is perfect for locking in moisture, making it a great low-budget alternative to facial creams and lotions. It doesn’t soak into your skin, though, so you may want to do it in the privacy of your home.
3. Use it to keep your eyebrows tamed.
You don’t need fancy eyebrow wax to keep your eyebrows clean and tamed. Just dab a small amount on each brow and smooth into place. You can also use a toothbrush or eyebrow comb to tame them.
4. Highlight your cheekbones.
Highlighting your cheeks is part of putting on a full face of makeup, but if you’re low on highlighter (or just don’t want to spend the money), Vaseline makes a great substitute. Just dab a tiny bit on each cheek and you’re ready to go.
5. Remove eyelash extensions without any fuss.
If you wear eyelash extensions, you know they can be a pain to remove, literally and figuratively. Break up the glue with a little dab of Vaseline for super easy removal.
6. Give your cuticles a little love.
Nothing is worse than your cuticles getting dry and irritated. Vaseline is a super easy way to give them some TLC and soothe the pain.
7. Avoid annoying stains when dying your hair.
Dying your hair at home is cheaper than getting it professionally done, but it can make a huge mess. Getting dye on your skin can be particularly annoying. Luckily, a thin coat of Vaseline will ensure that you can wash the dye away without staining.
8. Treat painful, chapped lips.
In the winter, dry air and cold wind can lead to seriously painful chapped lips. When a lip balm doesn’t cut it, Vaseline can be the perfect way to give your sore lips some TLC.
9. Make a simple body scrub.
For a super straightforward exfoliating scrub, mix salt with Vaseline. You can also add some perfume if you prefer a scented scrub.
10. Use as a substitute for mascara.
Clear mascara is a popular choice for those who already have dark lashes. If you want to get gorgeous lashes for cheap, just comb a little Vaseline through them.
11. Or use to keep your eyelashes soft.
If you’re one of the people who struggle with eyelashes that are brittle or breaking, try conditioning gently with Vaseline on a daily basis. You’ll get quick results.
12. Make sure you get an even tan.
If you love getting spray tans, you probably know the woes of a patchy tanning job. To help even out your color, rub some Vaseline on areas that tend to be missed, like elbows, knees, and hands.
13. Extend the life of your perfume.
Having a signature scent is great, but the fragrance of perfume doesn’t always linger very long. To keep your perfume smelling great for hours, rub some Vaseline on your wrists before applying your favorite scent.
14. Remove your makeup without effort.
Makeup is made to withstand moisture, so it’s difficult to wash off. You can buy a special makeup remover, but why bother? Vaseline removes makeup with no effort at all.
15. Keep lipstick stains off your teeth.
There’s nothing like having your favorite lipstick end up on your teeth, making it look like you’ve been munching on crayons. Before you apply lip color, dot a little Vaseline on your front teeth since they’re the culprits most likely to get stained.
16. Rework dying eyeshadows as cream shadows.
When your eyeshadow starts to get low, it’s hard to know what to do with the last bit of powder. You can extend its life by mixing in a little Vaseline to turn it into a cream eyeshadow.
17. Keep water out of your eyes in the shower.
It’s probably not a problem for you, but goodness knows that children and babies hate getting water or soap in their eyes. To avoid tantrums, rub a little Vaseline along their foreheads before bath time to repel water down the sides of their face.
18. Moisturize your elbows.
Vaseline is a miracle worker when it comes to dry, cracked skin, like the kind that develops on your elbows. Applying it daily can bring relief from cracking and dryness.
19. Tame your split ends.
Sometimes, split ends spiral out of control. If you can’t get to the salon until next week, you can tame them temporarily. Rub them with a small amount of Vaseline. This will help the hairs stick together.
20. Paint your nails without a mess.
Unless you’re a real expert, you probably get nail polish on your cuticles when applying it. To stop this from happening, line your nail beds with Vaseline before you start the job.
21. Open jars without a fuss.
Jars with sticky substances like honey, jam, and even nail polish, can be difficult to open Sticky substances coat the inside of a lid and then dry, making them impossible to open. A thin layer of Vaseline applied before you close the jar will make opening it easy the next time.
22. Extend the life of your Halloween pumpkins.
Carving Halloween pumpkins is fun. But they start to look weathered in just a short amount of time. Dab a little Vaseline along the cuts to keep them looking fresh through the holiday season.
23. Keep your car battery terminals free of rust.
It’s important to make sure all the parts of your car stay free of rust. After disconnecting the battery terminals and cleaning them off with a wire brush, cover them with a thin layer of Vaseline. The best time of year to do this is at the start of winter.
24. Get rings off your finger.
Pregnancy, weight gain, or an injury are all things that can cause your finger to swell, which means your rings are liable to get stuck. Vaseline is a great lubricant that will help you slide your rings off with ease.
25. Get almost anything unstuck.
Vaseline is perfect for getting rings off your finger, but let’s face it — it’s also perfect for getting almost anything unstuck, from jewelry to jar lids.
26. Paint rooms without getting your windows messy.
Painting rooms without making a mess is more difficult to do than you might think. One of the biggest victims is the window, which often gets splattered around the frame. A thin coat of Vaseline makes it easy to wipe paint away.
27. Get makeover stains off of clothes.
Don’t worry, the next time you accidentally rub a bit of lipstick on your sleeve, there is no need to throw your shirt away. Blot gently with Vaseline before throwing in the wash.
28. Put on earrings with ease.
Sometimes, earrings can be difficult to put on, leading to irritation or itching. Vaseline on the tips will help them slide neatly into your piercing.
29. It might ease some sensitive bathroom issues.
No one likes to talk about constipation or hemorrhoids, but, well… they happen. Applying a little bit of Vaseline with some tissue before you go may help make things a little easier – if you know what we mean.
30. Get relief from athlete’s foot.
Vaseline isn’t a one-and-done treatment for athlete’s foot, but it does keep the fungus from spreading. Along with other treatments to kill the fungus, apply Vaseline daily.
31. Treat an irritated nose.
You get a cold and suddenly you look like Rudolph — the constant dripping, blowing, and wiping can cause a lot of irritation. A dab of Vaseline brings instant relief and prevents further irritation.
32. Seal minor cuts.
Vaseline got its start when miners used petroleum jelly to keep small wounds from getting dirty. It isn’t antibacterial, but it does create a natural “bandage” that shields cuts and scrapes from germs.
33. Use as an emergency replacement for WD-40.
WD-40 is great to have around the house, but it’s not always on hand. You can use Vaseline as a replacement when you’re in a pinch.
34. Keep slugs out of your potted plants.
If you have slugs invading your garden, there’s no need to buy anything fancy. Just line your potted plants with a mix of Vaseline and salt to keep the pests away.
35. Polish your shoes.
Vaseline is all about locking in moisture, but it also makes a great polish. If your shoes need some TLC, give them a quick buff with Vaseline to restore the shine.
36. Keep baby bottoms rash-free.
Any parent knows that diaper rash creates a lot of discomfort for their little one. Vaseline is a great way to soothe pain while protecting your baby’s bottom from further irritation.
37. Get gum out of your hair.
If you get gum stuck in your hair, don’t reach for the scissors. Just dab on a bit of Vaseline and patiently work it through your hair until the gum comes out.
38. Battle chafing while playing sports.
If you are an athlete, you know that chafing — well, it happens. Repetitive motions and sweat can cause painful irritation. Luckily, a small layer of Vaseline can work wonders to prevent it.
39. Lubricate a squeaky door.
There are few things more annoying than hearing a door squeak constantly. Get rid of a squeak by applying just a little bit of Vaseline and working it into the hinges.
40. Get relief from an itchy scalp.
If you have dry skin, winter can wreak havoc on your scalp. Apply a little bit of Vaseline to the worst spots to get instant relief and lock in moisture.
41. Soothe your chapped hands.
Don’t have lotion on you, or maybe your skin gets more irritated by the perfumes found in most lotions? Vaseline will bring you relief and keep your skin from getting more chapped.
42. Remove candle wax with ease.
When candle wax drips on hard surfaces, it can be almost impossible to remove. Thankfully, Vaseline is a quick and easy way to break up dried wax without engaging you in a battle for hours on end.
43. Buff scratches out of wood.
When you get a scratch on your hardwood floor or your nice dining room table, there is no need to despair. Take a little Vaseline and a cloth and gently buff the scratch until the surface shines again.
44. Or use Vaseline to remove watermarks.
Remember when you were a kid and your mother yelled at you to use a coaster? Now that you’re an adult, you finally understand. But watermarks don’t have to become a permanent fixture of your coffee table. A quick buff with some Vaseline will take them right out.
45. Keep doors from sticking.
If you live in a cold climate, you’ve probably experienced the irritation of having your car door stick. When it happens, it’s almost impossible to fix. An excellent solution – line the door with a thin layer of Vaseline at the start of winter.
46. Restore life to old leather.
Good leather is a beautiful thing, but long years and lots of wear leave their marks. To make your leather goods shiny and new again, give them a gentle polish with some Vaseline. It’s an easy way to restore life to all your favorite vintage wear.
47. Keep your shower curtain from sticking.
Having shower curtain rings that refuse to slide smoothly on the curtain rod is maddening. But there is an easy fix. Just apply a thin layer of Vaseline to your curtain rod and you’ll never have to battle with this problem again.
48. Soothe windburn during the winter.
Usually, bitter winter winds go hand in hand with living in a cold climate. They’re more than just annoying — they can actually cause windburn, which is really painful. After spending time outside, apply a dab of Vaseline to windburned cheeks to soothe the discomfort.
49. Reduce foot odor.
Here’s an emergency method of reducing foot odor when you don’t have the opportunity to wash your feet: rub Vaseline on them and then let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, rub it off with a dry cloth.
50. Get relief from razor burn.
Getting razor burn pretty much anywhere can be very unpleasant. Thankfully, it doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Massage a little bit of Vaseline on the area for instant relief.
Vaseline: it’s that little clear tub that your mother always kept in the medicine cabinet when you were growing up. You probably weren’t sure what it was for. Maybe your mom rubbed it on your chest for some reason whenever you were sick.
Now that you’re an adult, you’ve likely heard of the ways that Vaseline can help moisturize dry skin. That alone should be enough to endear it to you! But there’s a secret: Vaseline is actually one of the most versatile things you can keep at home.
That’s right, it’s not just for soothing sore elbows now. Vaseline has a use in every room in your house, and then some. If there was ever a medicine cabinet item that could be called a “jack of all trades,” Vaseline would be it!
It’s perfect for everything from soothing chapped skin to lubricating squeaky doors, getting stuck rings off of fingers, and protecting your car engine. If you love makeup but you’re also budget-conscious, you can use it to revitalize old eyeshadows, make your own lip gloss, or bring a shine to your cheeks.
Basically, when you said you’d never become your mom, you were wrong. Everyone needs Vaseline in their medicine cabinet.