36. Get Gum Out Of Hair
Est. Cost: $1-$2*
Purpose: Vaseline loosens gum and makes it easy to pull out of hair
Gum in the hair is the worst, and it’s easy to panic when that happens to you (or, if you’re an adult, your kid, most likely). But, before you reach for the scissors to give you or your kid a drastic haircut, reach for the Vaseline.
Get Gum Out Of Hair ©BlueSkyImage/Shutterstock
Vaseline can help loosen the gum. Apply a generous amount of the jelly onto the hair and gum. Then, tug on the gum gently until it comes out, remnants and all. This might take some time, but it’s a good alternative to a bad haircut.
37. Don’t Use Vaseline On A Sunburn
Est. Cost: N/A
Purpose: Busting a popular myth about Vaseline
Most of this list is about things you can do with Vaseline, so allow us to myth-bust for a second and throw in what you can’t do with Vaseline. Despite what you may have heard, it’s a bad idea to put Vaseline on a sunburn.
Don’t Use Vaseline On A Sunburn ©Fevziie/Shutterstock
The Hospital of Central Connecticut says that Vaseline clogs the pores of the sunburned skin, preventing sweat and heat from escaping. This, in turn, can make sunburns more painful and harder-to-heal.
38. Tame Unruly Eyebrows
Est. Cost: $1-$2*
Purpose: Can make eyebrows smooth and sleek
IPSY says that Vaseline won’t just smooth down unruly eyebrow hairs that threaten to throw off your arch; it can also keep the hairs soft. If the skin under your eyebrows is dry and flaky, Vaseline can heal that and combat redness.
Tame Unruly Eyebrows @torontostar/Youtube.com
Considering that Vaseline is fragrance-free and eye-safe, this makes for a cheap alternative to clear eyebrow gels, which usually cost more than $1 or $2 (Vaseline’s price). Some even claim, according to Byrdie, that Vaseline can make your brows feel (and look) a lot fuller.
39. Prevent Tanning Streaks From Forming
Est. Cost: $1-$2*
Purpose: Keeps self-tanner from becoming patchy
When you’re self-tanning at your house, it seems like streaks are impossible to avoid. Luckily, Vaseline can help. Before you apply the self-tanner, rub a tiny amount of Vaseline onto the driest parts of your skin.
Prevent Tanning Streaks From Forming @influenster/Pinterest
The jelly will act as a sealant to prevent the tanner from clinging to dry skin, resulting in patches. Also, as an added bonus, your dry skin will get a nice dose of hydration from the Vaseline you’re using.
40. Loosen Up Lightbulbs
Est. Cost: $1-$2*
Purpose: Keep lightbulbs from sticking in their base
Stuck lightbulbs are particularly common with outdoor lights that have been stuck in the socket for a long time. Unscrewing stubborn bulbs is a tough job, especially since you don’t want to be so forceful, you break the glass.
Loosen Up Lightbulbs ©The Toidi/Shutterstock
Applying a small dab of Vaseline to the bulb’s base before you screw it in will help stave off stuck-ness. This hack requires some foresight, but it’s worth it if you want to save yourself frustration in the future.
41. Keep Your Razor From Rusting
Est. Cost: $1-$2*
Purpose: Extends your razor’s lifespan
The last thing you want is to use a rusted razor, as that can put you at risk for all sorts of nasty side effects, from rashes to infections. This Vaseline hack will keep your razor from rusting, even in a hot, humid bathroom.
Keep Your Razor From Rusting @aliviamariemars/Pinterest
Between uses, apply a thin layer of Vaseline onto your razor’s blades. Be careful doing this, as you won’t want to nick your fingers. This is an additional step, but is’ worth it to keep your razor blade looking brand-new.
42. Create This Acne Face Mask
Est. Cost: $20-$25*
Purpose: Helps dry out acne without drying the clear skin out
We found this hack on the Vaseline website, and it is a recipe for a face mask that will help heal acne (without drying skin). You need a tablespoon of Indian Healing Clay ($12 at Walgreens) and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Mix the ingredients together in a plastic bowl, and apply them to your face.
Create This Acne Face Mask /TikTok
Let the mixture sit for fifteen minutes, and then rinse. After drying your face, apply a thin layer of Vaseline to lock in moisture. This will keep your face from drying out after using the mask, which would make acne even worse.
43. Slick Back Flyaways
Est. Cost: $1-$2*
Purpose: Vaseline hides flyaway hairs
You’ve created the perfect, most stylish ponytail, braid, or bun, and now you’re wondering what to do about flyaways? We all have those annoying “extra” strands of hair, and Vaseline can help take care of them.
Slick Back Flyaways @gliks/Pinterest
All you need is a tiny bit of jelly to help slick back these loose strands. Vaseline will seal them tightly, preventing them from escaping as you go about your day. Remember, less is more with this hack, so as to keep your hair from looking greasy.
44. Don’t Put Vaseline On A New Tattoo
Est. Cost: N/A
Purpose: Another Vaseline myth, busted
This is another myth we had to bust when it comes to Vaseline. You actually should not use Vaseline on a new tattoo, as Healthline says it is not a “good option” for tattoo aftercare. Vaseline traps moisture, so your new tattoo won’t get air.
Don’t Put Vaseline On A New Tattoo /Youtube.com
Air moving over the tattoo wound speeds along the healing process. You risk infection if you use Vaseline on a new tattoo (or Neosporin, alcohol, lotion, etc.). Be sure to clean the tattoo wound gently using a soap like Bronner’s Castile (a favorite amongst tattoo artists).
45. Remove Makeup Stains On Clothes
Est. Cost: $1-$2*
Purpose: Can lift oil from makeup stains better than other removers
Getting makeup on clothes, towels, sheets, and whatever else is frustrating, especially as the oils in makeup can make it hard to remove. Try using Vaseline and a damp cloth to lift the stubborn stains before washing the items.
Remove Makeup Stains On Clothes ©pics five/Shutterstock
Vaseline, when applied liberally to the stain, can draw out the oil better than a lot of removers on the market. Just apply the Vaseline, let it sit for ten minutes, blot out the excess, and wash the item as you normally would.
46. Keep Swimmer’s Ear At Bay
Est. Cost: $5*
Purpose: Vaseline and cotton balls keep water from gathering in the ear canal
Swimmer’s ear is a painful infection in your outer ear canal, and it is usually caused by water that remains in your ear after you have swum. Bacteria grows in this moist, watery environment, and the resulting infection can cause ear pain, itching and irritation, a feeling of fullness in the ear, and red skin and swelling.
Keep Swimmer’s Ear At Bay ©WI / Adobe | @absolutehearing1/Youtube.com
Vaseline and cotton balls can help prevent swimmer’s ear from forming. Before you swim, smudge Vaseline onto the cotton balls. Then, insert them into your ears. This will prevent water from gathering in your ear canal.
47. Vaseline Can Replace Eye Cream
Est. Cost: $5-$10*
Purpose: Vaseline and moisturizer can replace a bespoke eye cream
This hack came from TikTok, and there are benefits to it. Vaseline could be a replacement for expensive eye creams, particularly when the occlusive jelly is paired with a moisturizer. Together, the two are a force for good for your under-eye area.
Vaseline Can Replace Eye Cream /Youtube.com
Note: Vaseline won’t brighten dark circles or fix deep wrinkles; it will hydrate your under-eye area, same as an eye cream would do. That said, if you have inflammation and redness under your eyes, you may want to try aloe vera gel and Vitamin E together.
48. Trap Pesky Ants
Est. Cost: $1-$2*
Purpose: Traps ants where they are invading
Usually, when there is an ant invasion in the house, the ants pick one part of the home to invade. They might gather on a windowsill, around a dog’s dish, on a countertop, on a particular section of the floor…you get the idea.
Trap Pesky Ants @TruPest1/Facebook.com
Trap ants where they crawl by adding a thin layer of Vaseline to the area they are gathering. While this isn’t a permanent solution, it can slow the invasion until you get a hold of some more serious pest control measures.