How Do You Use Vaseline?

Quick, where is your jar of Vasoline Petroleum Jelly?  If you're like me, you always have a jar somewhere!  Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is celebrating it's 140th Anniversary.  Wow. 

Do you know what Vaseline is made from?  

Here's the official description from the Vaseline website:

Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly is a mixture of mineral oils, paraffin and microcrystalline waxes that, when blended together, create something remarkable - a smooth jelly that has a melting point just above body temperature. The result - it literally melts into skin, flowing into the spaces between cells and the gaps in our lipid barrier. Once there, it re-solidifies, locking itself in place.

I had no idea before I started writing this post that it worked that way!  The well known "healing" power of Vaseline actually comes from it's function as a barrier.  When you have a cut or scrape, if you put Vaseline on it, you keep out outside contaminants like germs and keep in healing substances like moisture.

What do you use Vaseline for?  Here are some of my favorite uses:

1.  Moisturize feet 

Especially in the winter, my feet get dry and cracked.  If I put Vaseline on them just before bed and then wear socks all night, I wake up with softer, smoother skin!  White socks work best - tube socks are great.  This helps keeps those tootsies soft - and warm while you sleep.

2.  Soothe chapped lips

When your lips are dry and pealing, put a dab of Vaseline on.  Not only does it help your lips to heal, it looks shiny - like lip gloss!  One added tip, if you take a toothbrush and gently brush after applying the Vaseline, it will exfoliate your lips. 

3. Loosen a stuck ring
Uh, oh!  Ring stuck on your finger?  A dab of Vaseline will help that ring slip and slide right off!  This happened to me once when I was playing volleyball.  I jammed my finger, I know, ouch!, and couldn't get a ring off.  Luckily someone had a jar of Vaseline in their gym bag.

4.  Shoe Shine
A bit of Vaseline applied to leather - shoes or purse - will help refresh the look of the leather and take off any scratches.  If you are running out the door and don't have time to do a full leather treatment on your Coach bag, grab a paper towel and your jar of Vaseline.  At the first stop light, put a quick coat on and see your bag looking like new.

5.  Soften Cuticles
Have you ever done a manicure at home?  One of the secrets of a good manicurist is to prepare the cuticles before trimming or pushing them back.  Rub Vaseline onto your finger nails and cuticles to soften the cuticles before you push them back.  It's also very relaxing and you can do it while you watch your favorite show on television.

6.  Build Eyelashes
I don't know if this is true, but I've heard that putting Vaseline on your eyelashes will help them grow longer.  Even if it's not, they look prettier!  Just a touch, though, don't put so much that it gets into your eyes.  It's also helps lengthen lashes if you put some on before your mascara.

7.  Protect Metal
Vaseline, when coating metal, will help protect it from the elements.  When we were little, we would put Vaseline on our ice skate blades!  It's also great for model train tracks!  When you're storing any metal objects, Vaseline will help prevent rust and corrosion.

8.  Smooth the Way for Earrings
If you have pierced ears, you may have noticed that sometimes it is difficult to get an earring into your ear.  If you dab some Vaseline on your ear and on the earring, it will slide right in!  This is a great tip for someone who has recently had their ears pierced and may be a bit shy about wearing some of the more unusual twisted or hook earrings.

9.  Light your Fire
Vaseline is flammable and you can use when you want to start a fire.  I bet those Survivor contestants wish they had a jar!  Coat a cotton ball in Vaseline and you have an excellent fire-starter for your marshmallow toasting campfire.  Pass the s'mores!

10.  Preserve your Pumpkin
This is the most timely tip!  Put Vaseline on the cut edges of your Halloween Jack O-Lantern and it will slow down the drying process, keeping it fresh longer!

So tell me - where do you keep your jar of Vaseline and what do you use it for?

Disclosure:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Vaseline blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.