Petroleum jelly, commonly known under the brand name "Vaseline" is used worldwide as a standard remedy for skin complaints. Today, Vaseline products are available in more than 60 countries around the world. Its rich heritage, healing qualities and efficacy have been passed on from generation to generation for more than 130 years.
The inexpensive, available in varying quantities, and easy to preserve petroleum jelly is a must have in many beauty cabinets. Vaseline.com says petroleum jelly was discovered in 1859 by 22-year old chemist Robert A. Chesebrough from Brooklyn, New York. Chesebrough went to Pennsylvania to investigate an oil well. The oil industry was in its infancy, and Chesebrough, like many, was hoping to profit from it. While Chesebrough was there, he discovered a gooey substance known as Rod Wax that was causing the oil rig workers problems, as it stuck to the drilling rigs, causing them to seize up.
Chesebrough noticed that oil workers would smear their skin with the residue from their drills, as it appeared to aid the healing of cuts and burns. His curiosity led him to take some Rod Wax home with him and start experimenting with it. After months of testing, he managed to successfully extract usable petroleum jelly. Primarily used to sooth dry, chapped skin, petroleum jelly – international secret beauty weapon – can be used on a variety of body parts for many uses. From hairline to heel, you can't go wrong with the jelly!
Makeup remover and moisturizer in one: Whether you're in between products or out of make-up cloths, Vaseline can be used to gently remove make-up from your face. Apply (as needed) the jelly to a wet washcloth; after rinsing your face, use the cloth (jelly side first) to scrub away make-up. Next turn the cloth over to wipe away excess Vaseline from face. One final rinse and your face is clean and ready for bed.
Removal of mascara can be a challenge from many people, as the black substance smudges the eye area when wet. The eyes are the most sensitive area of our face and rough scrubbing can leave them feeling bruised. To gently remove mascara from skin, apply a bit of Vaseline to a cotton swab and gently wipe the area. With little effort and no bruising, the mascara is gone and eye area is gently motorized.
Feet: Scaly dry feet and legs are always a turn off. For smooth glowing legs and feet, follow this beauty routine. While in the shower, scrub wet feet with a pumice stone (or foot scrubber of choice). Next, apply Vaseline to feet to avoid cracking and to sooth heels. To improve your heels' smoothness, wear socks to bed.
Eyelids and cheeks: In place of excessive bronzers and mist, a small application of Vaseline on eye lids and cheeks can create that coveted "summer glow." The jelly helps reflect light from applied areas. It can also be mixed with blushes and eye shadow for more eye-catching effects.
Lips/teeth: Teeth stained with lipstick are a definite fashion and beauty faux pas! To avoid this, rub a bit of Vaseline on teeth before you apply your lipstick. When you're done with your lips, the lipstick that did make it onto your teeth is easier to remove.
For persons with chapped lips, rubbing lips daily with a wet cloth and Vaseline can help to exfoliate lips. When out of lip balm or lip gloss, Vaseline can also be used to keep lips form being wind burned. Petroleum jelly can be used alone as gloss or to make regular lipsticks look creamy and rich.
Hair/eyebrows: Rubbing a light amount of Vaseline between palms and then on hair is a quick way to get shine and keep strays from flying. Use on eyebrows after powdering the face, undoes the dull and feathery look.
Many beauty secrets like those shared about Vaseline are expensive and fairly simple in concept, proving that beauty doesn't have to leave you broke.
