25 Surprising Vaseline Hacks That Actually Work (And You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner)
Think Vaseline is just for dry skin? Think again. This humble jar has dozens of unexpected uses that can make your life way easier—from beauty tricks and cleaning hacks to fashion fixes and household problem-solvers. It’s cheap, widely available, and surprisingly effective in ways most people don’t even realize. Whether you’re dealing with scuffed shoes, stubborn zippers, or beauty woes, Vaseline might be the miracle product you’ve been overlooking. These clever hacks will not only save you money but also help you repurpose one product for so many everyday problems. Get ready to see Vaseline in a whole new light.
1. Heal Scratch Marks on Your Face the Right Way
Scratches on your face can heal faster and leave less scarring with the right care. Start by gently washing the area with mild soap and water to remove dirt and bacteria. Apply an antiseptic cream once to prevent infection. After that, Vaseline (petroleum jelly) becomes your best ally. Dab a pea-sized amount onto the scratch and cover it with a clean bandage.
Reapply whenever you change the dressing to lock in moisture, prevent scabbing, and speed up skin regeneration. Keeping the wound hydrated with Vaseline reduces irritation and minimizes the chance of scars. Once the scratch has fully closed, introduce vitamin E oil to further nourish the skin and fade any remaining marks.
You’ve Seen One Hack—Now Wait Till You See What Else This Little Jar Can Do
2. Highlight Eyes and Brows the Easy Way
You don’t need an expensive highlighter palette to add some glow to your face—just grab a jar of Vaseline. A tiny dab around the eyes, on your eyelids or brow bones, instantly gives you that dewy, fresh look. It catches the light beautifully, whether you’re going makeup-free or adding shine over shadow. Mix it with powder eyeshadow to create custom creamy pigments, or apply it beneath shimmer to help it stick better and last longer.
Vaseline is also a clever way to tame and shape brows or add a glossy finish to lashes. Brush a small amount over unruly eyebrow hairs to lock them in place, or use it as a clear mascara substitute. Some even apply a light coat to lashes before bed, hoping for longer, thicker growth over time.
3. Long Eyelashes
We now live in an era where eyelash extensions are a trend, and it’s considered beautiful to have long, luscious lashes. Lash extensions can be expensive, as can mascara. Using a mascara brush, stroke on a bit of Vaseline to your eyelashes.
The Vaseline will moisturize them and encourage them to grow. It will also give the appearance of thicker lashes, which mascara can be brushed over for a darker look.
4. Bye Bye Blackheads
Skincare is expensive. There are a lot of products that need to be used to achieve that healthy, dewy glow, like essences, serums, moisturizers, creams, and the list goes on. The cost of all of those products can be hundreds to thousands of dollars, which would be better spent on something else.
Luckily, Vaseline can be used to get rid of pesky blackheads for only a couple of dollars. Grab some plastic wrap, toilet paper, and your handy tub of petroleum jelly. Cleanse your face, slick on the Vaseline, and place the plastic wrap over the top of it with a hot towel pressed against it. This will pull the blackheads out and allow you to wash them off your face.
5. Buff Out Scratches
Some wooden furniture is varnished to make it appear nice and shiny. Over time, small marks, scuffs, and scratches can begin to appear on the wood. This is simply caused by life and a few accidents, like a child throwing a ball at a chest of drawers. Vaseline can come to the rescue and help make these marks less obvious.
To lessen the scratches, carefully rub some of the petroleum jelly into the marks you want to diminish. Let the Vaseline sit for a day, and then take a soft cloth to the piece of furniture and wipe the Vaseline off. It should have buffed out some of the scratches for a more uniform finish.
6. Highlight Those Cheekbones
Highlighting is one of those makeup trends that has taken off over the past few years. A bit of highlighter on cheekbones, under eyebrows, and the tip of the nose can create a slightly more angular look when done right. Highlighter can be expensive depending on whether you use a cream or a powder and the brand.
Whenever you decide you need a bit of shine but don’t want to shell out for an expensive cosmetic product, just grab a tub of Vaseline. A thin layer can be slicked on all of the spots that highlighter normally goes, for that ethereal shiny look.
7. A Cooling Sensation
Fevers are no fun, but sometimes our immune systems decide they can’t fight off whatever bacteria or virus has made its way into our bodies. While over-the-counter medications can help to bring the fever down, a certain product can create a much-needed cooling sensation. If you guessed Vaseline, then good job!
A tub of Vaseline can be placed in the freezer for about five to ten minutes, and then a small amount can be rubbed across the forehead of the person who is feeling under the weather. This should create a cool feeling and make the sick person more comfortable.