Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is the ultimate multi-tasker, working as an affordable, simple barrier and lubricant for both beauty regimens and household fixes.
I. Beauty & Skincare Hacks
- Highlighter for a Natural Glow: Dab a tiny amount on the tops of your cheekbones and brow bones for a dewy, luminous, “glass skin” effect without using powder highlighter.
- Perfume Primer: Rub a small amount on your pulse points (wrists, neck, behind ears) before spraying perfume. The jelly locks the scent molecules in, helping your fragrance last hours longer.
- Eye Makeup Remover: Gently massage a small amount over your eyelids and lashes to effortlessly dissolve stubborn, even waterproof, mascara and eyeliner. Wipe away with a soft cloth.
- Hair Dye/Nail Polish Barrier: Apply a thin layer along your hairline and the outer edge of your ears before dyeing your hair, or around your cuticles before painting your nails, to prevent skin staining.
- Exfoliating Lip Scrub: Mix Vaseline with a pinch of sugar or coffee grounds. Gently rub the mixture on your lips to exfoliate, then wipe off to reveal soft, moisturized lips.
- Overnight Foot Treatment: Slather a generous layer on cracked heels and dry feet before bed, then put on socks. Wake up to noticeably softer skin.
- Tame Flyaways & Split Ends: Rub a tiny dab between your palms and lightly smooth it over the ends of your hair or on flyaways to seal moisture and create a polished look.
- Eyebrow & Lash Conditioner: Use a clean spoolie or cotton swab to brush a thin coat onto your eyebrows to keep them tamed and defined, or onto your eyelashes for a glossy, lengthened look.
- Stuck Ring Remover: Rub Vaseline around a finger that has a stuck ring. The lubricant will help the ring slide right off without pain or swelling.
II. Home & Repair Hacks
- Silence Squeaky Hinges: Lubricate door or cabinet hinges with a small dab of Vaseline to instantly quiet annoying squeaks.
- Fix Stuck Zippers: Rub the jelly onto the teeth of a stubborn zipper (jacket, bag, luggage). Work the zipper pull back and forth a few times, and it should glide smoothly again.
- Prevent Rust on Tools: Coat metal tools (like garden shears, razor blades, or screws) with a thin layer of Vaseline before storage to protect them from moisture and prevent rust.
- Ease Sticking Windows/Doors: Apply a thin film to the tracks of sliding windows or doors to make them slide open and closed easily.
- Protect Hardware While Painting: Before painting a wall, apply a light coat to door knobs, hinges, or window frames. Any rogue paint splatters will adhere to the Vaseline and can be wiped away effortlessly once the paint is dry.
- Prevent Lightbulbs from Sticking: Before screwing in a new lightbulb (especially in outdoor or bathroom fixtures), rub a small amount of Vaseline on the threads of the base. This prevents rust and makes the bulb easy to unscrew later.
- Remove Water Stains on Wood: Apply Vaseline directly to a stubborn white watermark on wood furniture, let it sit for several hours (or overnight), then wipe clean and buff. The moisture in the jelly can draw the moisture from the stain out of the wood.
- Ward Off Crawling Pests: Create a barrier they cannot cross. Spread a thin ring of Vaseline around a pet’s food bowl (on the outside bottom rim) or a windowsill to deter ants.
- Remove Chewing Gum from Hair: Smear Vaseline over the stuck gum and hair. The jelly’s slick, oily texture helps break the gum’s adhesion to the hair, allowing you to gently slide it off.
