Petroleum jelly is one of the byproducts of crude oil, obtained after refining. It is a mixture of wax and mineral oil. When oil industry workers were observed using petroleum jelly to treat their skin, its uses were first discovered. Eventually, it was bottled and sold. Today, petroleum jelly is consumed worldwide. 

Petroleum jelly is versatile and can be used in several different ways. Here are 10 amazing uses and benefits of petroleum jelly.

  1. To soothe skin: Petroleum jelly has soothing properties, which come in handy for treating small cuts, burns, and sunburns as well as flaky, dry skin, post-shave irritation, and skin after waxing, and these could be associated with the health benefits of petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly is occlusive, which means it will act as a barrier between the skin and the atmosphere. It will lock in all the moisture when applied to damp skin.
  2. As a scrub: With petroleum jelly as a base, add salt or sugar and apply the mixture all over the body as a scrub or onto your lips to exfoliate dead skin cells.
  3. Helps with split ends: To repair split ends and moisturize dry hair, use petroleum jelly as a hair mask, as the jelly helps lock in the moisture.
  4. As a makeup remover: Even waterproof makeup can be easily removed with petroleum jelly, and applying it around the eyes doesn’t often irritate the skin.
  5. Lubricant for stubborn rings: Use some petroleum jelly as a lubricant to help rings slide off when they are stuck or too tight to remove, and ease the flow of blood.
  6. To make blush with a sheen: Mix some lipstick or eyeshadow with petroleum jelly and apply it as a dewy blush to get a flush of color and a beautiful sheen.
  7. To prevent shoe bites: Apply petroleum jelly in a thick layer to the area that comes in contact with your skin, before wearing your shoes, to reduce friction and prevent shoe bites. 
  8. To prevent chafing: Petroleum jelly will prevent chafing while working out, as the jelly will reduce the friction between the two surfaces of the body.
  9. To tame baby hair: Apply some petroleum jelly and comb it through to complete a sleek ponytail and tame your baby hairs.
  10. To protect paws: Pets’ paws can be protected from the cold and salts that are on the sidewalks during the winter, by slathering a layer of petroleum jelly.

Is petroleum jelly good for everyday use?

Petroleum jelly can be used on a daily basis as it is non-comedogenic, will not clog pores, and will not trigger acne or breakouts.

How good is petroleum jelly on the skin?

Petroleum jelly could be used to heal triggered skin. It is even safe to use on infants to soothe diaper rashes or as a massage base. 

Petroleum jelly is best suited for external uses only. Additional effects could result from internal uses. Hope this blog helped in gaining some information on the uses you get from petroleum jelly.