When it comes to household essentials, nothing beats "Vaseline"! A Taiwanese pharmacist shares that besides being an effective moisturizer, Vaseline can actually provide first-aid for bleeding, prolong perfume scent, and even help with a stuck zipper.
Pharmacist Chen Jialing shared on her personal Facebook page "藥玩家-玲玲藥師" that the core function of Vaseline is "occlusive moisturizing." It forms a protective film on the skin's surface, locking in moisture and isolating external bacteria and dirty air. Precisely because of this, Vaseline has evolved many "lesser-known" uses, from beauty skincare to daily first aid, with one jar tackling multiple situations.
Apply a thick layer of Vaseline on dry areas like heels and elbows before bed, then wear socks or gloves overnight. The skin will be noticeably softer the next day.
Mix Vaseline with sea salt to create a gentle exfoliating paste.
Apply a thin layer of Vaseline on wrists and behind ears before spraying perfume. The oil can prolong the fragrance's staying power.
Before dyeing hair, apply Vaseline along the hairline, ears, and neck. It makes it easy to wipe off any dye that gets on the skin, protecting it.
When in urgent need of makeup remover, Vaseline can be used to remove eye or lip makeup. Gently massaging dissolves the cosmetics.
After cleaning minor cuts or abrasions, apply Vaseline. It can help stop bleeding and form a waterproof protective film, speeding up healing and reducing scarring (not suitable for infected wounds).
Apply Vaseline in advance on areas of new shoes that tend to rub, reducing friction and preventing blisters.
Babies wearing diapers for long periods are prone to diaper rash. After cleaning, applying Vaseline can isolate the skin from urine and stool irritation.
Frequently wiping the nose during a cold can cause redness, swelling, and peeling around the nose. Applying Vaseline effectively soothes the stinging.
Use a cotton swab to apply Vaseline to a stuck zipper's teeth to restore smoothness. Also, apply to fingers to help remove a stuck ring.
However, Chen Jialing also reminds that Vaseline is not a cure-all. Two groups of people, namely burn victims and those with oily skin, should use it with caution. It's also best to avoid it in the following situations:
Because burns need to dissipate heat, Vaseline traps heat and can worsen the burn.
Vaseline has strong occlusive properties. If not cleaned properly or if sebum secretion is vigorous, it may clog pores, leading to or worsening blackheads or acne.
Vaseline is an oily substance and can corrode latex, causing condoms to break. For sexual activity, water-based lubricants should be chosen.
Vaseline itself contains no water. For extremely dry skin, apply toner or lotion first to add hydration, then apply Vaseline to lock it in.
