The 6 Beauty Benefits of Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly is a semi-solid, translucent jelly used as an ointment or as a lubricant. The petroleum jelly is a byproduct of rod wax that’s gone through various processes of refinement. Petroleum jelly has been around since the 19th century and it is a household staple! In today’s post, we are outlining all the beauty benefits of petroleum jelly:

1. Heals Cracked Heels

Do you suffer from painful, unsightly cracked heels? Apart from religiously exfoliating the heels, you can reduce the appearance of cracked skin on the heels by applying petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly locks moisture into the skin, reducing skin cracking that could lead to painful fissures. Petroleum jelly also helps speed up healing, softening the dry skin and reduces calluses.

To use petroleum jelly as a treatment for cracked heels, start by taking a relaxing 10-minute foot soak. Exfoliate the heels, rinse and apply your favorite lotion. Then, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the affected area and wear thick socks. Do not remove the socks until the next day for best results.

2. Soften Hands and Rough Spots

Frequent hand washing may be good for the health, but it is bad for the skin! Exposing the hands to water frequently strips the skin of its natural oils. This leads to dry, rough skin! Applying a little petroleum jelly helps soften the skin, remove callouses, and lock in moisture. Petroleum jelly works even better than ordinary hand lotion because the emollient texture of the jelly traps moisture into the skin so it does not evaporate. You can also use petroleum jelly to banish rough spots, especially rough skin on the elbows and knees!

3. Heal Wounds and Skin Abrasion

Petroleum jelly became a household staple because of its uncanny ability to heal wounds and skin abrasion. The jelly does not medicinal properties at all. However, it protects the wound from infections, promotes proper healing, and minimizes scarring. Clinical studies show that wounds, especially larger ones, kept moist will heal faster compared to wounds exposed to air. Petroleum jelly helps lock in moisture, keeping the wounds moist and preventing inflammation. Because it is an excellent lubricant, petroleum jelly also minimizes friction, reducing pain.

4. Perfect Manicure and Pedicure

If you love painting your nails (who doesn’t?), but is frustrated over the excess nail tint all over your nails, you can use a little petroleum jelly to ensure a perfect manicure or pedicure. Just get a Q-tip, dab the cotton swab on a jar of petroleum jelly and coat the cuticles with the jelly. The jelly will not only moisturize the cuticles, it will also prevent nail tints from attaching to the skin! After the nail polish has dried, just wash your hands and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

5. Tame Flyaways and Reduce Split Ends

That’s right, you can use petroleum jelly to keep your ‘do pristine! You can also apply a little petroleum jelly on the ends of your hair to prevent split ends! Just make sure to apply a little so you don’t end up with greasy mane.

6. Lash Grower

Petroleum jelly works as an excellent lash grower! It will moisturize every lash, strengthen the hair follicles, and promote re-growth. Apply a little petroleum jelly on the lash with a cotton swab, leave the jelly on overnight and wake up with lush lashes the next day!