Vaseline for lips: What it does and how to use it

What does Vaseline do to your lips?

Petroleum jelly is an occlusive, meaning it forms a protective layer that reduces water evaporating from the skin. Its main job is to keep moisture in, rather than attract water into the skin like a humectant such as glycerin. That distinction explains why applying petroleum jelly to damp lips is useful: there is moisture there to retain.4

Ointments provide a lasting protective effect because of their higher oil content, while lighter creams absorb more quickly and need more frequent application. Ointments can feel greasy, which is the texture equivalent of refusing to leave quietly. If you dislike the feel, another suitable lip balm is an option rather than abandoning lip care.4

Dry skin can flake, crack and even bleed; petroleum jelly is useful for relieving dryness, including on the lips. A protective ointment is a practical choice when dryness is the problem, but persistent sores need medical attention.12

How do you use Vaseline on lips?

1. 1Wash your hands before applying the product.
2. 2Apply petroleum jelly while your lips are damp. Do not repeatedly lick your lips to wet them.
3. 3Spread the jelly over the dry lip surface. The Vaseline Baby Healing Jelly label directs you to apply it as needed.
4. 4Reapply after eating or drinking and whenever your lips feel dry.
5. 5Apply lip ointment before bed, and use a suitable SPF lip balm before going outdoors.

Vaseline Baby Healing Jelly is labeled as a skin protectant that temporarily protects and helps relieve chapped or cracked lips and protects against the drying effects of wind and cold. Its label specifies external use only, avoiding the eyes, and getting medical help or contacting a Poison Control Center if swallowed. Follow the directions on your own pack rather than assuming every Vaseline product has identical instructions.6

How often should you apply Vaseline to your lips?

Use lip balm or ointment as needed throughout the day, including after eating and drinking. Morning and bedtime applications are useful routine points, with extra applications when dryness returns. The amount of lip care you need depends on how dry your lips are; there is no need to wait until they crack before applying it. Nighttime ointment helps keep lips hydrated while you sleep.3

Why does Vaseline dry out my lips?

Cold weather, dry air, wind, sun damage, dehydration, injury and allergies can all cause sore or dry lips. Some people are sensitive to fragrances, dyes or other cosmetic ingredients in lip products. If one balm is not working, try another suitable formula rather than repeatedly applying a product that leaves your lips uncomfortable.45

Stop any lip product that burns, stings or tingles. For chapped lips, choose fragrance free products and avoid menthol, camphor, eucalyptus and irritating flavors such as mint, cinnamon or citrus. Also avoid salicylic acid while your lips are chapped. Picking and biting delay healing, while licking makes lips drier as saliva evaporates. Applying a nonirritating balm instead can help interrupt the licking habit.7

Who is petroleum jelly useful for?

Petroleum jelly is a useful option for ordinary dry, cracked lips, including weather related dryness. Lips are especially vulnerable because their skin is thinner and more sensitive than skin elsewhere and has no oil glands. Lip inflammation, called cheilitis, can also result from an allergic reaction, eczema, infection or medication such as a retinoid. An ointment can ease dryness, but treatment for persistent inflammation depends on its cause.3

Keep lip care separate from coating the surrounding face. Petroleum jelly can cause breakouts in some people with acne prone skin, and occlusive moisturizers can aggravate acne or perioral dermatitis, an inflammatory rash around the mouth. If the problem includes a persistent rash outside the lips, get the cause assessed rather than spreading more ointment over it.24

What should you use outdoors?

For sun protection, choose a nonirritating lip balm labeled SPF 30 or higher, with zinc oxide or titanium oxide, and reapply every two hours outdoors. Sun protection matters in winter too: dry, chapped lips burn more easily. Use an SPF lip product for this job rather than treating a moisture barrier as sunscreen.7

Cover your lips with a scarf in cold weather and avoid heading into dry, cold or windy conditions without lip protection. Keep indoor air humid; a bedroom humidifier is particularly useful if you breathe through your mouth at night. Drink enough water to avoid dehydration. Do not share lip balm, because sharing can spread germs.157

How long should healing take, and when should you get help?

Regular lip balm use should ease discomfort while your lips heal. Recovery commonly takes two to three weeks, though severely chapped lips can take longer. The Vaseline Baby Healing Jelly label gives an earlier threshold: see a doctor if the condition lasts more than seven days. Follow your product's warning rather than using the general healing timeframe to postpone care.36

• See a doctor if your lips are hot, painful and swollen, because these can be signs of infection.
• Get medical advice for lip sores that will not heal.
• Seek assessment if cracking bleeds frequently and home treatment does not help, or if symptoms worsen.
• A pharmacist can help you choose a treatment and decide whether you need to see a doctor.