Vaseline petroleum jelly has been a bathroom cabinet staple since its invention by chemist Robert Chesebrough in 1870. Today, it plays a starring role in the K-beauty routine known as slugging and remains a favorite among dermatologists, beauty experts, and parents alike. Here's why this 150-year-old product continues to earn praise and how to use it effectively.
Why Experts Love Vaseline
Dermatologist Joshua Zeichner of Mount Sinai Hospital calls Vaseline "perhaps the best deal at the drugstore," noting its versatility from nose to toes, including elbows, knees, feet, and even the eye area or cuticles. Uchenna Okereke, another dermatologist, describes it as "one of the most inexpensive and effective emollients available," a highly refined, safe, and hypoallergenic occlusive that locks in moisture after bathing.
Generational Memories of the Slather
For many, Vaseline evokes strong childhood memories. Dermatologist DiAnne Davis recalls it being "in every cabinet in the house" as a staple for moisturizing and smoothing skin. Caroline Robinson remembers her mother applying it to protect against wind burn during Chicago winters. Okereke laughs about her mother's heavy-handed post-bath applications that left her face shiny, a nightly ritual of bath, Vaseline, and pajamas.
Slugging: A Trend with Deep Roots
Slugging, the K-beauty trend of coating the face in Vaseline overnight, is not new to many communities. Okereke notes that her mother and most Black mothers have been slugging their children's faces long before it became trendy. Dermatologist Angela Kim uses a thin layer as the last step in her skincare to seal moisture and active ingredients, waking up with soft, glowing skin. Lupe Viayra, co-founder of Laruce Beauty, warms a small amount of Vaseline to use as a topcoat, protecting both products and the skin's moisture barrier.
Zeichner offers cautions: Vaseline contains purified petrolatum, which shouldn't cause breakouts but may feel heavy or sticky. He advises against slugging for oily or acne-prone skin and warns not to apply it over potentially irritating active ingredients like retinol or hydroxy acids.
How to Use Vaseline Effectively
Okereke recommends applying Vaseline on damp skin to seal in moisture and using it liberally. Favorite uses include treating cuts and scrapes, dry spots, diaper rash, chafing, and dry cracked skin around nails. Nail artist Natalie Minerva uses it as an overnight hand treatment: apply generously, cover with cloth gloves, and sleep for a few hours to restore dry hands.
For ethnic skin prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, Kim washes troubled areas with gentle soap and water, then applies Vaseline to promote healing with less discoloration.
Beauty and Lip Care
Okereke explains that lips lack oil glands and get very dry, making Vaseline an ideal solution. Kim uses a thin layer to treat peeling or discoloration from chemical peels or retinoids and suggests grooming eyebrows or crimping eyelashes with Vaseline for a game-changing makeup look.
Medical Applications
Robinson learned during her training that leaving wounds open to air often results in scabbing, hindering new skin cell migration. She uses Vaseline on patient wounds to keep them hydrated and promote faster healing. In Kim's practice, wounds, biopsy, and surgical sites are covered with Vaseline and a dressing, with aftercare instructions including more Vaseline.
Cautions and Considerations
Kim notes that Vaseline is non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn't clog pores, but advises those with very oily or acne-prone skin to consult a dermatologist before use. She also warns against covering fresh sunburns with Vaseline, as it can trap heat.
Enduring Love for a Classic
Okereke urges people not to resist using Vaseline, recommending it daily to patients. Davis appreciates that it rarely irritates skin or causes allergic reactions, making it a top product among dermatologists worldwide. For Minerva, Vaseline is nostalgic and effective, proving that classic, old-school products sometimes are the best choice.
