I was raised with Vaseline as the “go-to” skincare product. I remember using it for anything, like chapped lips, broken cuticles, cracked heels, sun burn, you name it. I always thought it was disgustingly oily, and I don’t remember if it ever made my skin feel any better. It was just something we had always used. Everyone believed in it, so we never actually questioned the effectiveness of it.
What is Vaseline?
Vaseline is the brand name for refined petroleum jelly that was originally used to lubricate oil rigs in the old days. OIL RIGS!!! So, it is a by-product of the oil industry. It consists of mostly petrolatum and paraffin wax, which makes it neither eco-friendly, nor sustainable. It is believed that carcinogenic components are removed through the refining process, and hopefully, they are right about that.
It is also believed that Vaseline is hypo-allergenic and that it doesn’t clog the pores. It even states on some websites that it is one of the best moisturizers on the market. When I see these kinds of statements, I have to giggle, because you can’t moisturize your skin with a product that doesn’t contain even a drop of water!!! Duh!
5 Reasons I Would Never Use Vaseline on My Skin
1- It gives the illusion of hydration while it is actually suffocating the pores
No doubt, Vaseline will make your skin feel softer. But this is only an illusion of hydration because hydration requires water! So, even though your skin may feel better after applying Vaseline, it is only temporary. Your skin is still dry underneath the product. Anyone who has ever relied on Vaseline to cure chapped lips know the truth of this. When the Vaseline comes off, the lips are still dry, and they don’t seem to be improving anytime soon.
2- It is water repellent and not water soluble:
Because Vaseline consists of paraffin wax and hydrocarbons, it is highly water repellent and not at all water soluble. This means that it won’t come off even when you take a shower.
3- It is drying the skin by keeping out air and moisture
The effect of Vaseline is like putting a sheet of plastic over your skin. It prevents water and air from getting to your skin cells and basically suffocates your pores. It won’t let your skin breathe. And it certainly isn’t moisturizing your skin. If anything, it will make your skin drier since it prevents water from getting to your skin cells.
4- It can seal in dirt and aggravate breakouts:
Another nasty thing about Vaseline is that it can seal in dirt, which can definitely can clog your pores. This is why people with acne or Rosacea are better off not putting Vaseline on their skin at all.
5 – It is difficult to cleanse:
It is hard to remove Vaseline from the skin. The only way you can remove it is by using harsh soapy detergent. But then you strip the natural oils off your skin as well. This results in even more dryness. So, no matter how you look at it, Vaseline is bad news for your skin! It is better to just keep using it as a lubricant for machine parts, which is what it was made for in the first place…
A Healthy Alternative to Vaseline
I totally get it. Sometimes your skin feels so dry that you really need something that is oily enough to quench the dryness. But trust me, Vaseline is not the answer. There are healthier alternatives that can actually soothe and repair your skin rather than making the conditions worse.
I would recommend a cream made with shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax and nourishing plant oils. These are ingredients that are natural enough that your skin can use them to repair itself. And the oils and butters can easily be removed with a gentle cleansing cream that doesn’t make your skin worse.
As for a Vaseline alternative, I can recommend Green Beauty’s Mature Skin Cream. Even though it looks a bit like shoe polish, it feels very soothing on dry skin or lips, and it smells amazing. So, please get rid of your old Vaseline jar and try something more natural. The mature skin cream comes in a 2oz jar as well as a sample,
