The Budget Fashionista

Hi there
I know that Vaseline has been used for eons but truly the negative effects of applying petroleum to your skin and lips has been well-documented. *(had to help a child do research on this 2 years ago for a science project). While initially it seals in moisture, the petroleum based part of the formula actually dehydrates the tissue causing you to apply and reapply over and over. It’s not good for the skin and if you talk to holistic skincare pros like Kirstin from Saffron Rouge, the online holistic skincare store (it’s her store and she’s exceptionally knowledgeable) and other people within the organic/natural foods industry, petroleum-based products aren’t good for the skin, body or environment.
sorry to go on so long
Stevie

Another great Vaseline product is Gentle Breeze Moisturizing Bath Beads. It’s great for a bath, spa and pedicure or manicures. You don’t come out feeling greasy and it doesn’t leave a ring around your tub. The best thing about is that it’s a cheap way to keep your skin looking moisturized during the winter months.

It also comes in foaming creme bath and in different scents.

I disagree with anything a “holistic” person says, they are not doctors, they are mis-leading people into believing what they believe to be true. I couldn’t believe when I walked into a “natural” food store, the women is trying to tell me that the vitamins my doctor prescribed for my toddler contains flouride and that causes cancer, well let me tell you something, everything is bad for you, there is someone out there that finds something wrong with everything. If a product works for you, great if not, oh well every person is different and we must abide by that.

I totally agree with Rina.  As holistic professionals may offer good alternatives, vitamins are vitamins.  I have a degree in biochemistry, and believe me, once a vitamin is synthesised, regardless of their derivative, the final molecular formula of the vitamin is the same, thus “natural” vitamins and pharmaceutical ones are the same.

I would just like to clarify a small point about applying Vaseline, which is petroleum jelly, to a sunburn....point blank, it is a very bad idea.  Petroleum=oil.  Applying oil to a burn of any kind, be it sun or other, ESPECIALLY when the burnt skin hasn’t cooled (which, in the case of a sunburn can take several days) can do much more harm than good.  Vaseline can act as a barrier trapping in the heat, resulting in a burn that is worse than the one you started out with. The best thing to do for sunburn is to wear sunscreen and not get one....but if you do, wait until your skin has cooled (as in it doesn’t feel hotter than the rest of your body) and apply a pure aloe gel to the area for a couple of days.

as a stubborn spring breaker who didn’t wear sunblock the first day at the beach in miami, i woke up the next morning with a face that turned in to one huge blister (no joke).  After getting useless advice from the pharmacist at walgreens, i called my dermatologist friend...her advice: coat face in vasoline and then apply sunscreen and clear aloe and keep face constantly coated...by the time i was boarding the plane 3 days later the blisters, red, even all of the peeling were completely healed...my family didnt believe i was ever burnt like i said and my friends who had gotten minor sunburn were still burnt and peeled for the next week...Moral of the story...Vasaline is a miracle worker

I agree with Stevie.  Petroleum based products do dry out tissue, causing you to reapply it.

Ihave very sentive skin and the use of vaseline has been my standby for years.It is more effective
than some of the more expensive products which seem to irritate my skin.I’m glad to hear someone
else endorse the use of vaseline.I have enjoyed
reading all of the comments.

My grandma was a big believer in Vaseline until I gave her a body mix of shea and cocoa, she throughout her Vaseline like it was old news. she said all these years she thought Vaseline was the thing, but I gave her Butter for the Body by NattyProducts.com and I now I have to send her one every two month.

I understand all of your concerns- but ALMOST EVERY African American supermodel/star/etc. Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Beverly Johnson, Lena Horne, Patti La Belle, etc. swears by vaseline and have been using it for years. Everyone in my family has been using it for generations and their skin is perfect. I think it may not be the best product for every skin type (never use it on oily skin) and there might be some better options.. but for the price, vaseline is THE budget moisturizer

Is it okay to use Vaseline as facial moisturizer?

I’ve heard that Crisco is a good moisturizer.  I think it would be way better than vaseline.

Thanks

Diana

My family member has been using vaseline forever and is continually told how young she looks!

Vaseline is good when you remove make up. I like to use it aroung my eyes.  It helps keep the skin around my eyes soft and you don’t have to worry about being rough when removing eye make-up. But everyone has different skin types.  If it works for you, great.  But if not, find something that works and stick with it.  :)

-Lani

You can use vaseline as a facial moisturizer (which is what this post is about). In fact it is often used by skiers to help protect their faces from cold winds.

I have to agree my mother turned 55 last week and she looks about 40. She does not have one wrinkle, not one! Not only is it a great facial moisturizer, but it also works wonders on dry and abused feet.

AA supermodels and stars just like the rest of us may have grown up on petroleum jelly aka vaseline because of ignorance. Corporations told us to use petroleum waste by product was a great moisturizer for our skin and we took their word for it. Yes we all have mothers/grandmothers/aunts, etc., who spent a lifetime using this stuff for lack of knowledge of anything else and the fact that their skin and hair still looks good anyway is more about diet and genetics than the petroleum jelly. The best things for our skin are unrefined plant oils and butters. In short you’re much better off using things like shea butter, cocoa butter, castor oil, olive oil, or coconut oil. You should use these straight or mix them yourself. Don’t go to the store and buy pre-mixed “body butters” that are composed of a teaspoon of the good stuff in a vat of mineral oil, other chemical fillers and artificial fragrance. Plant oils and butters penetrate and nourish the skin and hair - petroleum jelly does not. If you’ve ever used vaseline or vaseline based products in the winter you’ve probably noticed how dry and scaly your skin is the moment you wash them off. Try a plant oil or butter and notice the difference. Since all of these plant based lubricants are easily available why not use them?

Lidia-

Although I do agree with your statements regarding cocoa butter and olive oil, both of which I use daily, I think it may be a little bit ignorant and self righteous on your part to state that models and folks who use vaseline are using it out of ignorance. As someone who works in the industry, I can tell you that models are VERY careful about what they put on their skin, in their bodies (for the most part), etc.  Beauty is a model’s business and if anything remotely threaten their “business” they wouldn’t use it. I use vaseline (along with other products) almost everyday for a variety of purposes and I have great skin. The fact is it works. Regardless of who told us to use it- it works. And it’s cheap

Here’s an article to diffuse the debate...unless you have a medical degree or a link to a study that proves otherwise..you can’t discount this article on web MD written about Eczema.  It advocates Crisco and Petroleum jelly…

http://www.webmd.com/hw/allergies/tn8144.asp?lastselectedguid=
{5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}

all I can say is, my cosmetic surgeon exclusively recommends Vaseline. Nothing wrong with “petroleum"products on skin. Petroleum comes from the earth! It’s the ONLY ointment I could use painlessly post-cosmetic surgery) want my medical credentials? I have some, but take my MDs instead. I use Vaseline daily.

This comment has nothing to do with the use of Vaseline but I’ve found out something that I just wanted to share.
I use Hydrogen Peroxide once a day to keep my teeth white. I swish it around (DO NOT gargle!-if you do it foams at the back of your throat-yuck!) for about 10-20 seconds. Everyone is always commenting on how white my teeth are. I’ve also discovered that the combination of a good multivitamin (One a Day) and a good hair, skin, and nail vitamin (GNC or One a Day) helps with my overall health and appearance. I have been taking this combo for about 2 months and I am practically glowing. Just thought I’d share and if I think of anything else then I will share again :)

I heard that baby oil is a good moisturizer for your body not for your face. I use it everywhere but my face and it stops my dry skin.

WOW!  I agree with the MD.  My story is...One hot and very dry summer, I developed a terrible case of very dry skin. To say the least, I was taking too many daily showers without applying the proper moisturizer.  My skin became dry, brittle with a constant itch and dark patchy spots.  I went to see a dermatologist and his intern was afraid to examine me, Go Figure… but the doctor examined me and he said… You know that can of grease that you mother kept on the stove for frying and you used this oil to shine your ashy leg.  I nodded in disbelief because it brought back some fond memories of my shiny knobby knees in patent leather shoes.  Well he said, that’s the best thing for you to use for your skin.  Who knew...?  I still use it today! It’s readily available and I never run-out, (Crisco) if you know what I mean.

I have to say that baby oil applied to the skin right after a shower (I put mine on in the shower) really helps skin stay soft. BUT, if you want great looking skin, use Keri lotion. I’ve had two kids (no stretch marks), sunbathed with the best of them, and I always receive compliments on how great my skin looks. Use the traditional brand not the newer, thinner mixes.

I use this on my body and feet, but not my face. Will the Vaseline cause pores?