How to apply Vaseline correctly

How should you apply it?

1. 1Wash gently. For your face, use a gentle cleanser and gently pat dry. For dry hands, choose warm rather than hot water.
2. 2Apply while the dry area is still slightly damp. After bathing is a useful opportunity, although moisturisers can also be applied at other times.
3. 3If you use a skin medication or treatment, apply that after cleansing, before the moisturising step. Follow the medicine's own directions rather than changing its use.
4. 4Spread petroleum jelly over the dry area. For dry, flaky eyelids, use only a small amount. When applying cream around the eyes, use your ring finger to avoid pulling hard on delicate skin.

How often should you use it?

Let the dryness determine how often you apply it. General moisturiser guidance allows a light product at night for slightly dry skin, while very dry skin can need a greasy, protective moisturiser every couple of hours. Regular application two to three times a day can help maximise moisturiser benefits. There is no need to reserve petroleum jelly for bedtime, but nighttime application is useful for hands.3

Ointments have a lasting protective effect but can feel greasy on visible skin, so a glossy finish is not a packaging defect.3

What about cracked hands?

Apply a heavy hand cream immediately after washing, while your hands are slightly damp. Add petroleum jelly as a separate nighttime treatment for dry, cracked skin, then cover your hands so the moisturiser can work while you sleep. Clean socks can stand in for cloth gloves, which gives an ordinary pair of socks an unexpected second job.2

Can you put it on your face and lips?

Petroleum jelly can relieve dryness on lips and eyelids. Avoid applying it to your face if you are prone to acne, because it may cause breakouts in some people. Occlusive moisturisers, meaning products that form a protective surface barrier, can also cause or worsen inflamed hair follicles.13

Wash your hands before applying a lip product, and do not share it. Avoid licking cracked lips or picking flaky skin, which can worsen soreness or slow healing. Outdoors, use a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher every two hours. See a doctor if your lips are hot, painful and swollen, as these can be signs of infection.5

How do you apply it to a small cut?

For a minor cut or scrape, gently clean with soap and water, then cover the area with petroleum jelly. Clean the wound daily. Keeping it moist helps prevent a scab, which takes longer to heal. Seek medical care if you suspect infection rather than trying to treat it with petroleum jelly alone.16

Stop using a moisturiser if an allergic skin reaction develops. If you develop a new rash or persistent irritation, ask a dermatologist about the cause and a suitable alternative.13

How do you apply Vaseline mixed with sugar?

Skip the sugar mixture on your face. Sugar granules used for scrubbing can cause tiny tears in the skin barrier, increasing irritation and allowing bacteria to enter. For dry lips, apply petroleum jelly without scrubbing away flakes; picking flaky lip skin can slow healing.56