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.
“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.
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