My Secret To Healthy Skin & Beauty

I would like to start by saying I hate for my skin to feel dry. I have to keep something within arm's reach to keep my skin moisturized. That’s especially important now that Chicago’s brutal winter is right around the corner, as temps are already dropping. When it gets cold and the wind starts whipping around your face, your skin is extremely vulnerable to becoming dried out and even damaged by the cold.

Vaseline is, by far, one of the best products to lock the moisture into your skin and keep it safe from the harsh, dry air.

Many of us remember being slathered with Vaseline by our parents, going to school with a shining, slippery face.

They may have overdone it a bit but they were really onto something.

Classic Vaseline has been a household staple for generations, and with good reason. It’s easily accessible, affordable and it works! Why break the bank buying products to keep your skin soft and moisturized when Vaseline is right there at your local convenience store?

I’ve been using Vaseline on my daughter's skin since she was born. When she was an infant, I used it to help keep diaper rashes at bay.

As she got a little older, she developed eczema and the first place it plagued her was on her cheeks. I kept a jar of Vaseline on hand to minimize the chafing and cracking on her cheeks.

It worked so well that after her skin healed, it left no visible marks from the breakouts on her face. Even now I use Vaseline to keep my daughter’s skin hydrated.

After bathtime, we apply a layer of Vaseline all over to make sure the moisture doesn’t escape her skin.

Hydration and moisture are especially important with her having eczema. Winter weather is no walk in the park for those with sensitive skin, so you have to keep the tried and true in rotation to keep the rashes away.

I recently discovered a new use for Vaseline thanks to the internet and Twitter. I follow a few licensed estheticians who discuss the best skincare products, both high-end and drugstore.

One of them recently said applying a thin layer of Vaseline to your skin once you’ve finished your nighttime routine is a great way to keep your skin soft and supple.

Think back to those days of your mom slathering Vaseline on your face as a kid- then apply that to your skincare routine.

Vaseline works as a humectant that locks in moisture on your face the same way it does the rest of your body. According to this esthetician, Vaseline on your face will not cause breakouts, you just have to use it in moderation.

Vaseline has expanded its product over the years to include various lotions and lip products, which I’m also a fan of.

I also cannot stand to have dry lips so their lip products are perfect to keep in my purse or car. I can moisturize my lips and get a nice, natural glow. Needless to say, Vaseline is a holy grail product for my household. From body to beauty, they’ve got all our bases covered.

Maya Harris is a Chicago native and co-founder of the professional style and career blog Corporate in Color. You can find more of her work on the web, Instagram and Facebook. She is also co-founder of Women Exceeding, a non-profit based in Houston, TX.