6 Beauty Benefits Of Using Petroleum Jelly

When it comes to household basics, petroleum jelly is a must-have. In fact, you probably have a jar or two in the medicine cabinet. This greasy thick jelly is commonly used to protect the skin, thanks to its ability to lock in moisture. It might even be your go-to for fixing water marks on furniture, polishing leather jackets, and greasing squeaky door hinges. It doesn’t stop there, though. This super-simple jelly is pretty talented, as you’ll just see!

# Keep Skin Soft And Supple

This first one is petroleum jelly’s claim to fame. When applied to the skin, this product can work wonders. Typically, your skin’s soft and supple texture depends on its water content. Normal skin produces an oily substance called sebum. This forms a protective barrier over the skin, preventing water loss.

Unfortunately, anything from harsh soaps to dry winter air can mess with this sebum. Even aging can deplete or overwhelm it. In turn, your skin has a hard time retaining water. The outcome is dry skin.

# Heal Nicks And Scrapes

From cuts to scrapes, accidents happen. Luckily, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, petroleum jelly can heal your skin. If you have a superficial wound, apply petroleum jelly after cleaning it. This will keep the injury nice and moist. It’ll also stop it from drying out and forming a scab. After all, a wound takes longer to heal when a scab forms.

A dollop of jelly can also stop a scar from becoming deep, itchy, or too large. And if you clean the wound every day, you might not even need an antibacterial ointment.

# Soothe A Diaper Rash

An irritable baby with a diaper rash can fluster any parent. To remedy the issue, keep your little one dry. Top it off by applying some petroleum jelly after a diaper change. This will keep urine and feces from touching your baby’s skin. With a little extra care, that diaper rash will eventually clear up.

# Deal With Cradle Cap

If your baby has cradle cap – yellow or brownish scales on the scalp – you might be searching for a gentle remedy. Well, it turns out that petroleum jelly can save the day. Simply apply it on the affected area and leave it on overnight. The crusted skin will loosen up by morning. This can be brushed off with a soft brush or cloth. Finish up with a baby shampoo for a happy, healthy baby.

# Get Rid Of Lice

If your child returns from school with head lice, you know you’re in trouble. Lice are notoriously tough to get rid of. And while you can buy special lotions and sprays that will kill them off, some of these aren’t suitable for young children or pregnant women. To top it off, some head lice can build a resistance to commercial pesticides, making the products useless. So, what to do?

Check out petroleum jelly. Essentially, it can suffocate the lice. A study found that petroleum jelly can kill the lice and tackle the eggs, letting just 6% hatch. Apply it on dry hair, covering the hair entirely with it, and leave overnight. Wash it off the next day. Do note that it can make your hair quite greasy.

# Keep Your Ears Dry

If you’re prone to ear infections, try your best to keep water out of your ears. This will help your ears stay infection-free. Surprisingly enough, petroleum jelly can actually help your ears stay dry while you swim or bathe. Take a piece of clean cotton that’s big enough to fit into your ears (but can be easily removed). You’ll probably need to rip apart a cotton ball. Roll it into an oval shape and smear petroleum jelly on it, covering it completely. Insert it into your ear and apply some petroleum jelly over the top. Voila, your ears have been waterproofed!