How to Get Vaseline off Skin

Vaseline is a bathroom cabinet staple, and many people remember parents slathering them in goopy dollops of the stuff for any and every scratch or scrape. But do you remember how it gets everywhere?

If you are regularly covering yourself (or getting covered) in petroleum jelly you probably want to know how you can get it off quickly and thoroughly. Though Vaseline does have some great benefits for skin and hair, you can have too much of a good thing.

So in this article, we will explain ways you can get Vaseline right off your skin! We will also share what's great about petroleum jelly, and why it always needs to come off, along with the main reasons people are using it to care for and protect their skin.

How to get vasaline off my skin

Despite being 100% synthetic, Vaseline is renowned the world around as a skin preparation

We always call it Vaseline but what we're talking about is any petroleum jelly, not just the brand. Call it what you will, petrolatum, soft paraffin, or multi-hydrocarbon mineral oil, this oil industry byproduct has been revered as a topical ointment and balm that has a lot of uses.

From wonder therapeutic to domestic all-rounder

Vaseline has transitioned from being a medicinal preparation for burns, wounds, rashes, and other ailments, to a cosmetic product with many beauty hacks. Beyond the body, Vaseline is popular for stain removal, leather care, polishing jewelry and even keeping blades sharp!

Skin and vaseline are best friends

Vaseline is rated as a fabulous skin ingredient with beauty gurus extolling its effectiveness as a skin therapy or ingredient in a wide range of cosmetic products. It is great for the skin because it forms a barrier, protecting sensitive or injured skin from friction or moisture loss. It even proves effective as a sealant for split ends, pomade, and dry scalp treatments.

Vaseline has a diverse range of skin uses

The sheer variety of skin uses for this colorless, odorless waxy substance is remarkable. Also, all sorts of people use it regularly:

  • Vaseline also brings relief to chapped skin, lips and hands in cold harsh weather.
  • Its insulative properties are used by sea swimmers who often cover themselves in vaseline to keep themselves warm while in cold water.
  • Sportspeople like cyclists and wrestlers also use Vaseline to prevent skin chafing in a variety of delicate areas.
  • Artists use vaseline to create a reliable barrier for body casting and creating masks
  • Actors use petroleum jelly for a range of effects including fake tears or sweat and the attachment and removal of prosthetics and makeup effects.

But the time comes when you need to get Vaseline off!

What goes on must come off. Petroleum jelly needs to be removed because the skin cannot readily absorb it. Despite people sleeping in Vaseline overnight as a beauty treatment, not all the effects of this gloopy oily substance are positive. Here are some reasons why you need to get Vaseline off your skin:

You can become allergic to Vaseline

Some people have sensitivities to mineral oil products (though this is uncommon and more likely to be because of contaminants). An allergic reaction produces redness, itching, swelling, or rash.

Contaminated petroleum jelly can cause infections

Putting Vaseline from a contaminated jar can seal in bacteria or fungi that can infect the skin.

Petroleum jelly is comedogenic

Dermatologists advise caution with slathering on copious amounts of petroleum jelly on your face as you could end up with a severe breakout rather than glowing skin. This is because Vaseline not only clogs the pores but also causes a build-up of the dirt, sweat, and grime that can drive acne.

If it gets in your eyes, you can have blurred vision

If you use too much Vaseline as an eyeshadow or lash treatment, it can get in your eyes and blur your vision. Thankfully, this blurring is only temporary.

If it gets in your lungs, it can cause a respiratory crisis

Respiratory problems caused by inhaled Vaseline that has been applied to the nose, are serious. Conditions like lipoid pneumonia can kill. This serious inflammatory lung condition is down to the inhalation of fatty substances.

Easily get that vaseline off your skin. Here's how...
Though it is incredibly oily, you have lots of options for thoroughly cleaning and cleansing Vaseline from your skin. Here’s how …
Dawn dish soap is great for getting vasaline off your hands. Warm water and a muslin cloth is another way that can work well.

It won’t come off with simple rinsing as it is obviously a hydrophobic substance but you can help it along in one of the following ways:

Dawn dish soap

If you have not encountered the wonder cleaning properties of Dawn dish soap, we encourage you to try it on a variety of cleaning tasks. Though you cannot use it on your face or other sensitive areas of skin, it is great for getting Vaseline off your hands and even clothing. This is because it is an efficient emulsifier and will encapsulate and remove the oils leaving your skin clean and able to breathe.

Very warm water and a muslin cloth

Another effective way of getting Vaseline off your skin is to warm it and lift it off by using a tolerable temperature of very warm water and a gentle exfoliating cloth. Simply dip the cloth in the hot water, wring and open it, and wipe the Vaseline off your face or other areas. When your skin is completely cleansed of the Vaseline, dip the cloth in the warm water, wring and open it and put it on your face, to open your pores for a more thorough clean.

Use a cleanser

A decent cleanser may also have the emulsifying effect needed to lift Vaseline off your skin. Use any brand of rich cream cleanser that you can work into your skin and take everything off with a cloth and warm water for clean and supple skin.

Rounding up

There are some good reasons for putting Vaseline on your skin and even better ones for not keeping it there. Try out these effective techniques of getting Vaseline off your skin. We are sure it will look and feel great once properly cleansed.

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