Vaseline Life Hacks That Makes Life Easier

Life can be complicated, so why don't you make it easier by using a simple ingredient in your health and beauty regimen? Vaseline was invented nearly 150 years ago and became extremely popular shortly after its launch and for good reason. It can be used for a variety of things, particularly when it comes to the human body.

Have a cut on your hand? A problem with dry feet? Difficulty removing makeup? Reach for some petroleum jelly. There are so many handy uses for the product, it's a wonder that more people don't carry a jar with them wherever they go.

Eradicate Chapped Lips

Chapped Lips and Vaseline
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Vince Talotta /Toronto Star via Getty Images

Chapped lips can be really uncomfortable, but if you have a bit of Vaseline on hand you can take care of the problem in no time. Simply dab a little bit on and pucker up!

The company has its own line of Vaseline lip products, but you can get creative and make your own lip therapy. Simply take some Vaseline and add a little essential oil or Vitamin E for extra protection. Then use food coloring, eye shadow, or even lipstick to add some color. Voila! Instant lip balm.

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Treat Cracked Cuticles

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Al Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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If your hands are prone to dryness or you work in a profession where they're constantly exposed to moisture, you may need a product to treat cracked cuticles. No one likes having pieces of their skin hanging off their fingernails — it's unsightly and it's uncomfortable.

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Solve the problem by gently rubbing some Vaseline on your cuticles on a regular basis. This will promote healing and make them feel a little better. Over time, they'll get back to normal and be nice and soft.

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Extract Gum From Your Hair

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H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images
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Maybe you've fallen asleep with gum in your mouth. Or perhaps you have a child who's accidentally (or purposefully) gotten gum in his or her hair. It's a really sticky situation that can result in a lot of tears. But instead of cutting off the offending gum and hair, use petroleum jelly.

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All you have to do is rub the Vaseline around the gum, and slowly pull it out. Petroleum jelly is also a good product to help remove other sticky substances such as tree sap and syrup.

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Get Softer Eyelashes And Skip The Mascara

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One of the facial features that we often overlook in our beauty routine is our eyelashes. It may seem hard to believe, but petroleum jelly is a great product to use on your eyelashes. All you need to do is put a drop on your lashes each night.

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When you wake up in the morning, your lashes will be much softer. Vaseline is also a good substitute for mascara. It makes them slightly moist so your lashes look longer and darker.

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Disguise Split Ends

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You only need a tiny bit of Vaseline to disguise those pesky split ends. Simply dab a little bit of the product on the tips of your hair to hold you over until you can get to the beautician for a trim.

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This gives your hair the same benefits as expensive conditioning products. And as an added bonus, using it on healthy hair can help prevent split ends from occurring!

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Prevent Your Bottled Tan From Streaking

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David Mirzoeff/PA Images via Getty Images
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If you know what's good for you, stay out of the sun. Avoid suntanning and go for a bottled look instead. Unfortunately, self tanners can be a bit tricky to apply. To avoid streaks and orange patches of skin look no further than petroleum jelly.

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Rub the Vaseline on trouble spots such as the ankles, hands, and behind the knees. The product will ensure that you get a more even tan. No one likes to have weird looking, orange streaks on their arms and legs.

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Relieve An Itchy Scalp

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Carlos Chavez/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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There are many things that can cause an itchy scalp. You may have a skin condition or dandruff that makes it feel dry and prickly. Or perhaps you didn't have time to shampoo it, and you're starting to feel the adverse effects. The good news is that petroleum jelly can make it feel better.

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All you need to do is massage the product into the dry areas on you scalp. This will eliminate any itching and irritation. It's a simple and quick solution to make your head feel much more comfortable.

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Soothe, Protect, And Heal Your Skin

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Vaseline is a wonderful product to use all over your skin. It can soothe, soften, and moisture your face, hands, elbows, and other parts. It also protects your skin by preventing chafing and friction. If you have athlete's foot, simply put on some Vaseline to heal it.

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Petroleum jelly is mild enough for infants and babies and can prevent and heal diaper rash. It's also okay to use on animals. In addition, Vaseline can be used to treat minor skin abrasions.

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Create A Homemade Body Scrub

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BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
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If you like making your own beauty products, look no further than Vaseline. It's one of the key ingredients for a homemade body scrub. Simply mix two tablespoons of the product with one tablespoon of rock or sea salt.

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Apply the solution to your bath scrubby, wipe it across your arms and legs, and you will have smooth skin in no time. This is a great way to save a little money, and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you created the body wash by yourself.

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Make Bowel Movements Easier

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If you suffer from hemorrhoids or other backside-related health issues, petroleum jelly is a great product to relieve some of the problems associated with these conditions. If you massage a little bit of the jelly around your tush it can help facilitate the evacuation of waste by providing a smoother path.

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While Vaseline won't take away any of the pain, it will help make the process move a little more efficiently. And let's face it — any bit of help in this sensitive area will make you feel a little bit better.

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Stick Earrings In Effortlessly

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You know the feeling you have when you haven't worn earrings in a while and you try to stick that tiny metal post into your earlobe? It can be a challenge to get that earring in without causing a little bit of pain.

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Fortunately, Vaseline can come to your rescue. If your ear holes are slightly closed, just put a bit of petroleum jelly onto your lobes. It will aid inserting the earring post and won't cause as much pain.

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Moisturize Your Dry Face

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John Greim / LightRocket via Getty Images
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If you're prone to dry skin, you may have a nighttime moisturizing routine to keep it supple. Vaseline is great because it won't clog your pores. This may sound surprising because it appears very greasy; however, the product won't cause pimples.

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Vaseline is non-comedogenic and is actually a really effective moisturizer. It doesn't soak into your skin like other facial products, so it's best to use at night so you can wipe it off in the a.m.

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Protect Cuts And Other Minor Injuries From Germs

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Media for Medical / Universal Images Group via Getty Images
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Vaseline is a byproduct of oil drilling. In 1859, British chemist Robert Augustus Chesebrough discovered that the jelly had skin-healing properties. He observed oilmen using the jelly to treat cuts and burns and realized the potential of the product to help a lot of people.

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Vaseline can be applied to your cuts, bruises, and other abrasions to prevent infection and ward off dirt and germs. It also helps you heal faster. The one thing it doesn't have is antiseptic properties.

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Ward Off Chafing During Sporting Activities

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Men in particular have a big problem with chafing when it comes to playing sports, but it can be bothersome for women as well. If you play soccer, basketball, go cycling, or take part in numerous other physical activities, you may need a lubricant to counter all the rubbing you may experience.

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Use the petroleum jelly on areas such as your thighs, groin, and armpits before you go on the field or take a run around your neighborhood. Your body will thank you for it.

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Keep Slugs Away With Vaseline

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Vaseline's amazing benefits extend all the way to the garden. If you mix a bit of petroleum jelly with some salt, you can apply it to the edges of your flower pots. This will keep pesky slugs and snails away.

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You can use this technique anywhere that you don't want slugs, such as the borders of walkways and patios. People who have tried many other methods to keep slugs away swear that this way works the best.

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Remove Fake Eyelash Glue

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If you wear eyelash extensions, i.e., fake eyelashes, you know how troublesome the glue can be sometimes. To avoid yanking out your actual eyelashes, all you need to do is dab on a bit of petroleum jelly. The product helps counter the affects of the glue.

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Put a little bit of Vaseline between your finger and thumb and rub the jelly on the lashes until they and the glue comes off. It's much more pleasant than pulling out the lashes.

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Enhance The Effects Of Your Perfume Or Cologne

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Sometimes your perfume or cologne can wear off rather quickly, particularly if you sweat. That's no fun if you're going out for the night and want to smell really nice for your date. To extend the life of your sweet-smelling perfume or cologne, mix it with Vaseline.

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The trick? Dab a bit of Vaseline on your wrists and/or neck before spritzing your favorite scent on your body. This will give your perfume and cologne a bit more staying power.

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Easily Remove Makeup

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If you wear a lot of makeup, you know how trying it can be to remove it at the end of the night before you jump into bed. Rather than simply washing it off with a face cloth (and staining the cloth with lipstick and eye shadow), use some petroleum jelly.

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Just put a bit of Vaseline on a cotton swab or Q-tip and gently wipe it across your eyelids to remove the makeup. This will make it a lot easier to rinse it all off when you wash your face.

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Seamlessly Apply Nail Polish

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Sergei Karpukhin / TASS via Getty Images
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Unless you're a professional manicurist, polishing your fingernails and toes can be a slightly messy activity. But you can avoid some of the drips and excess nail polish with just a little bit of Vaseline.

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Put some petroleum jelly on a cotton swab or Q-tip, and rub it around your cuticles. Then apply the polish. Any polish that goes outside of the nail will be easy to wipe off. And as a bonus the Vaseline will act as a moisturizer for your cuticles.