Vaseline has forever been a staple in the African American community. It’s an essential item you can guarantee to see in any medicine cabinet, hair drawer or atop your grandmother’s dresser. Whether you’ve used it to shield your baby’s face from chilled winds or to slick back your hair into that favorite quick bun, it’s safe to say petroleum jelly is here to stay.
Have you thought about what more it can do for you?
Yes, that’s right, our beloved thick jelly has multiple uses for not only you but the entire family. In fact, dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology say the inexpensive, common product can do wonders for the body’s largest organ, the skin.
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“When it comes to skincare, expensive isn’t always better,” said board-certified dermatologist Rebecca Baxt, MD, FAAD, who maintains a private practice in Paramus, N.J. and New York. “Petroleum jelly, which can be found in just about anyone’s local drugstore, is great for moisturizing rough, cracked feet, elbows and hands, and protecting kids’ scrapes and bumps.”
To incorporate into you or your family’s skincare regimen and get the most out of petroleum jelly, Dr. Baxt recommends using it to:
Heals your Eyebrows
Just dab the tip of your index finger in a small amount of petroleum jelly and smooth it over the arches of your eyebrows to keep the skin under your eyebrows moisturized and healthy, which encourages growth. It also helps them look tamed all day long. This definitely lasts longer than higher-priced eyebrow products.
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Rehydrates Nails: Got brittle or flaky nails? Apply petroleum jelly to the surface of your nails and cuticles when moist. This will minimize the brittleness and help prevent your nails from chipping.
Removes Dark Spots: Use simple white toothpaste, not gel based or any flavoured toothpaste. Take some toothpaste in a bowl. Amount should be same as much you use on your brush. Add the same amount of vaseline in this and then mix it really well until both of them are well combined and your remedy is ready
Apply this paste on your face with your fingers and spread it all over your face. Leave it for 3-4 minutes and then rinse it off using plain water
This trick will not only remove all dark spots and scars from your face. It is also very effective to remove blackheads from your skin.
Heals Injuries: Contrary to popular belief, antibacterial ointments and creams are not necessary for minor wounds such as cuts, scrapes, and scratches. As long as cleaned daily, the use of petroleum jelly can be used to keep wounds moist, allowing the wound to prevent from drying out and forming a scab. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.
Prevent Painful Chafing: Have you ever encountered the excruciating pain from chafing? It’s one pain that no one wants to experience ever again if they have already. When the rubbing of body parts or clothing sends your skin into a painful spiral, petroleum jelly is the cure. Apply to problem areas, such as the feet, thighs, underarms, and stomach, to prevent chafing that can later lead to blisters.
Treat Diaper Rash: Babies are not having it, and neither will your eardrums from their suffering outcry if a diaper rash isn’t treated properly. The best way to prevent diaper rash is to keep your baby’s skin as dry and clean as possible.
However, if your baby does get a rash, apply petroleum jelly during each diaper change. The rash should clear in about three to four days. If the rash doesn’t subside, Baxt recommends seeing a board-certified dermatologist immediately.
Moisturize Dry Skin, Lips, & Eyelids: We all know dry skin can be highly irritating and unseemly. When skin gets dehydrated, it gets dry, which can lead it to flake, itch, crack and even bleed. Try applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the skin, lips, and eyelids when the skin is damp for the most effective results.
“While petroleum jelly has many benefits, it shouldn’t be used for everything,” said Dr. Baxt. “Avoid putting petroleum jelly on your face if you are acne-prone, as this may cause breakouts in some people. If you have questions about your skin or how to take care of it, see a board-certified dermatologist.”
Did this article help you find a new way to use your petroleum jelly? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook or Twitter to keep the conversation going!
SOURCE:
AAD.New-Media-Release.com, 5 Ways to Use Petroleum Jelly for Skin Care, Jan. 9, 2018
