20 Unexpected Vaseline Uses You Never Knew About

Prep Skin for Fragrance

Moisturized skin may hold scents better, so rub some Vaseline on your pulse points before you spritz to make your fragrance last longer. Pulse points "are warm areas that help diffuse the fragrance across the body," says cosmetic chemist David Petrillo. They include the wrists, inner elbows, back of the knees, and neck.

Tame Flyaways

Use Vaseline to tame frizz and seal dry, split ends, and even to keep unruly eyebrows in place. Since it's safe to use on the face, you don't have to worry about irritation if you get any on the skin. However, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Onyeka Obioha says to be careful if your pores are easily clogged. "I do not recommend applying Vaseline to your face as a moisturizer if you have oily, acne-prone skin."

"Vaseline is non-comedogenic so it is safe for all skin types. However, it is most beneficial for wounds and dryness. If you’re trying to get rid of acne, there are plenty of other better suited, active ingredients," echoes board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman.

Create a Glow

Swap your highlighter for Vaseline. Just dab a small amount on the high points of your face for a dewy, naturally luminous glow. Keep in mind that Vaseline may clog pores, so if that seems like it could happen to you, maybe don't follow this tip, or at least go very lightly. A great alternative can be found in the cult-loved Weleda Skinfood ($17).

Remove Stains

With a damp washcloth, Vaseline can be used to lift makeup stains from clothes as well as pillows, blankets, and sheets. "The oil in petroleum jelly will help draw out other oils from stubborn makeup stains," says Petrillo. Throw it in the washing machine after treating the stain to ensure it's completely gone.

Clean Up Your Manicure

Apply Vaseline to cuticles before painting your nails to keep color off of the surrounding skin. You'll get a perfect manicure—minus the cleanup. It's also great for keeping hands and nails in manicure-ready shape, says Petrillo. "Petroleum jelly can be a great solution to fixing dry nail beds and cuticles by speeding up the healing process."

Heal Dry Skin

"Vaseline is incredibly effective at softening severely cracked, dry, and inflamed areas. It also works by preventing loss of water in the skin, which allows natural oils to nourish and repair," says Engelman. Smooth Vaseline over dry elbows and cracked lips and wake up to healthy, hydrated skin in the morning. Keep in mind that while Vaseline might soothe the irritation from dry skin or chapped lips, it won't moisturize on its own. "Vaseline works by sealing in moisture that is already present in the skin. It does not, however, bring moisture to the skin," says Petrillo. Layer it with a moisturizer for best results.

Customize Cosmetics

Turn any of your favorite loose pigments into cream eye shadow or blush by mixing them with Vaseline. It's safe to use around the eye area, according to our experts, so you don't have to worry about causing infection. You can also make a tinted lip balm this way. But our favorite application is combining Vaseline with a shimmery pigment like MAC's Vanilla loose color powder ($25) to create a dewy highlight.

Condition Lashes

Vaseline can also be safely applied to the lashes. "Many salons and spas use Vaseline or petroleum jelly-like products around areas (eyes, nose, mouth) that need to be protected from treatment," adds Engelman. If you're embracing the no-makeup look, trade your mascara for Vaseline. Smooth it over your lashes for a fuller set of dark, glossy eyelashes. Bonus: Vaseline may also make a great lash conditioner.

Polish Leather

Scuffed shoes? Buff a little Vaseline onto boots, shoes, bags, and any other leather goods that need polishing.

Achieve the Perfect Self-Tanner Application

Use a small amount of Vaseline on dry spots before applying self-tanner. It will act as a barrier, preventing streaks and stains in areas the self-tanning product would otherwise cling to.

Protect the Scalp From Color Transfer

Ready to take matters into your own hands and dive into a box dye? Gently rub Vaseline around the hairline before applying at-home color to prevent hair-dye stains.

Gently Remove Makeup

Makeup remover can be expensive and tough on your eyes. Vaseline is an inexpensive option that easily and gently removes eyeliner, mascara, shadow, and even the eyelash glue your falsies leave behind. Engelman agrees that it can be used "to dissolve and break down makeup."

Slip On Jewelry

If you don't wear earrings very often, those holes can become troublesome. Rub Vaseline over your earlobes and earring posts to help them slide in painlessly. Obioha notes that petroleum jelly can promote wound healing, including "after lasers and skin biopsies."

Mix Up Scrubs

Dry lips? Vaseline can be a great fix, according to our experts. Add a bit of sugar to Vaseline to make your own lip scrub. Or, mix it with sea salt and use the mixture in the shower as a body scrub with moisturizing benefits. "Consistently monitoring your skin (knuckles, heels, elbows) for dryness and supplementing with Vaseline will help to prevent skin from cracking to begin with," notes Engelman.

Prevent Nail Polish Bottles From Sticking

Another expert sleeper use for Vaseline? Smooth a dab under the cap of your nail polish to prevent dried lacquer from making the bottle impossible to open. Yes, the polish will stay fresh forever. Or, at least pretty darn close.

Keep Razor Blades Sharp

Keep your razors like new by carefully smoothing a very thin layer of Vaseline onto the blades between uses. Make sure they're completely dry first to prevent rust. Seriously, it's one of the slickest (literally) uses for Vaseline we've ever discovered. Praise be.

Treat Feet

Soften dry feet and cracked heels by applying a coat of Vaseline at night and wearing socks to bed. This overnight treatment will help lock in moisture and give you smoother soles by morning.

Prevent Shoe Rubbing

Breaking in heels? Give those now smooth, baby soft feet a fighting chance by lubricating them with Vaseline. They'll glide into the shoes effortlessly and the tender skin won't keep rubbing against the tight interior of the toe box. Plus, it might soften the leather and expedite the stretching process for a perfect fit.

Avoid Chafing

Apply Vaseline to the thighs, underarms, or anywhere else you're prone to chafing to reduce friction and keep skin moisturized.

Protect Your Skin Barrier

Slugging is a popular moisturizing method where an occlusive product, such as Vaseline, is applied on top of the skin at the end of your skincare routine to lock in moisture and help protect the skin barrier. Since Vaseline is non-comedogenic, it won't clog pores, but slugging isn't advised for those with an oiler skin type.