Does Vaseline Moisturize Lips?

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Our lips tend to dry out and become chapped during the dry and cold months. When that happens, what’s the first thing you reach for? Lip balm? Chapstick?

If you ask people, using Vaseline is a popular opinion. Do you use it too?

Why do people use Vaseline anyways? Does Vaseline moisturize lips?

Surprisingly, Vaseline doesn’t actually moisturize your lips! But it is still a good product to put on your lips, especially during the coldest months of the year. It’s a great idea to put some water on your lips first.

In this article, we’ll go over what Vaseline really is and what it does to your lips. From there, you can decide whether to continue to use it or to find other products for your dry lips. 


Contents

What Is Vaseline?

Vaseline

Vaseline is actually a brand name. It is one of those brands that people may confuse for a certain product. In this case, many people say Vaseline when they are referring to petroleum jelly. 

Petroleum jelly is produced by various brands and is a mixture of waxes and mineral oils. It has been available in the market for more than 100 years.

Different brands may have their formula or additives to the petroleum jelly they produce. 

As for Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Original 1.75 oz (Pack of 6) , it is 100% petroleum jelly. Many people use it for various things like minor cuts, and burns, as a makeup remover, and even as a moisturizer for the skin after a chemical peel. 

It has also been used widely on the lips as a moisturizer to help prevent chapped or dry lips.

But what most people don’t know is that Vaseline doesn’t moisturize the lips. 

But what most people don’t know is that Vaseline doesn’t moisturize the lips. 


Does Vaseline Moisturize Lips?

The use of Vaseline on the lips is quite popular. Many people from past generations to the present have used this tried and tested product. 

However, Vaseline doesn’t moisturize the lips. Moisturizing will involve adding water content or moisture to the lips. But Vaseline cannot do that!

Many still believe in the amazing powers of Vaseline for the lips when it comes to dryness and chapping. You can use vaseline on your lips during the cold months to prevent your lips from being dry and chapped.

Vaseline helps not by adding moisture, but rather by making sure that the moisture that’s already in your lips is trapped and doesn’t escape into the air. 

Vaseline helps not by adding moisture, but rather by making sure that the moisture that’s already in your lips is trapped and doesn’t escape into the air. 

When it is too cold or dry in the environment, there’s a great chance that moisture can be drawn out from your lips. They are the first to become dry and chapped as compared to other parts of the skin because they are thinner and more vulnerable to the environment. 

If you use Vaseline before your lips become chapped and dry, you can very well prevent them from drying up, cracking, and peeling. In this case, Vaseline acts as a barrier to help keep the moisture in your lips. 


The Right Way To Use Vaseline On Your Lips

Using Vaseline on lips that are chapped and dry will help seal whatever moisture is left. It may not be able to cure your dry lips because it is not capable of moisturizing them. 

The proper way to use Vaseline on lips is to apply it on lips that are properly moisturized. It can be used as a preventative agent for chapped or dry lips. 

There’s also a viral TikTok video of a skin expert who talks about the proper use of Vaseline on the lips. She argues that most people use Vaseline in the wrong way because they are missing a crucial step — wetting their lips first! 

The best way to use Vaseline when your lips are dry or chapped is to first moisten them. You should first wet your lips with water then apply Vaseline to seal in the moisture.

Apply some water to your lips, then apply Vaseline to seal in the moisture.

Apply some water to your lips, then apply Vaseline to seal in the moisture.


Alternatives To Vaseline

If you want to keep your lips soft and moisturized, you could apply Vaseline to your lips (after moistening them). However, some other products could be used.

These are the moisturizers that don’t only seal the moisture in but add moisture as well. 

Coconut oil

Coconut oil  is a great alternative to Vaseline. It is an emollient that helps moisturize the lips while creating a barrier to help prevent moisture from escaping. 

Apart from that, the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of coconut oils are great for those who already have chapped lips that are peeling or bleeding. 

Aloe Vera

You can use aloe vera to help moisturize the lips. One of the best things about aloe vera is that it doesn’t feel greasy because it is made mainly of water. 

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe chapped lips. You can use pure aloe vera fresh from the plant or other lip products that contain this ingredient. 

Just remember that aloe vera has exfoliating properties so don’t use it too much. It’s possible you will end up drying up the lips even more. 

Honey

This sweet and delicious liquid is not only great for the tastebuds but works well for your chapped lips. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties as well. 

Honey can be used to moisturize the lips while it helps protect against possible infection. Just like aloe vera, it has exfoliating properties too but is on the milder side. 

Avocado Butter

This is a common ingredient that you can find in lip balms as it is used as an emollient or thickener. What’s great about avocado butter is that it contains various fatty acids and antioxidants that are great not only for the skin but the lips too. 

Beeswax

Many No products found. have a beeswax base because it moisturizes the lips and helps seal in the moisture as well. It is a great emulsifier and it has anti-inflammatory properties to help with chapped and irritated lips.

Written by Kayla Young

Kayla is the founder of LuxeLuminous. She has worked professionally in the tanning industry for years. She has been interested in esthetics since childhood, and has tried every hair, skin, and makeup product ever produced (more or less).