What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Vaseline® for Dry Skin?

The inexpensiveness and longevity of Vaseline® is a major pro for many consumers. In addition, people often value the versatility of Vaseline® products. A potential drawback of using this lotion for dry skin is its greasiness, especially if too much product is applied in one spot. It can also be difficult to remove from both skin and clothing. Lastly, some people are skeptical of using Vaseline® for dry skin because of the myths and questionable safeness of the product.

Vaseline® is a relatively simple and inexpensive product to produce, and this savings is often passed along to consumers. In addition, one jar or tube tends to outlast a similar amount of lotion or cream by months, sometimes years. For people on a budget, using Vaseline® for dry skin helps stretch the wallet. Even if it is not the preferred product for dry skin, Vaseline® usually does not expire quickly and can be kept in storage for emergency uses.

Unlike many skin lotions that are designed to be used on just the face or body, Vaseline® can be used all over. Some people use it for dry skin on the feet, hands, or lips. In addition to being a skin moisturizer, some people opt to use Vaseline® on their eyelashes or teeth to make them shiny. There are literally hundreds of uses beyond the recommended ones, like creating lip glosses, removing makeup, and preventing carved Halloween pumpkins from drying out. For safety reasons, however, moisturizers should be used only according to the directions on the label.

Some people find the consistency of Vaseline® to be greasy and the product itself difficult to remove. They are therefore not comfortable using it as a remedy for dry skin. As an oily petroleum jelly product, Vaseline® can be difficult to remove with water alone. Many people prefer not to use it for dry skin due to its texture or simply prefer not to use it on certain parts of their bodies, such as the face.

The safety of using Vaseline® for dry skin is debatable. Some people argue that it clogs pores and the chemicals that Vaseline® is derived from are not healthy for human skin to absorb. From an anecdotal perspective, many people believe the use of Vaseline® has been linked to acne breakouts and other negative skin conditions. Despite these concerns, Vaseline® is still considered safe and is approved for use by many governments.