Effective, inexpensive and readily available, petroleum jelly -- also known as petrolatum -- is a skin-care product that has been used for generations. Although petroleum jelly isn't actually a moisturizer and contains no water, it works by creating a protective barrier that prevents evaporation and seals moisture in the skin. Petroleum jelly doesn't prevent wrinkles or delay aging, but it can help you present a more youthful appearance by smoothing and softening fine lines.
Step 1
Take a warm shower or bath. Limit bathing to 10 minutes or less because longer showers and baths strip the natural moisture from the skin.
Step 2
Pat your face gently with a fluffy towel, but don't pat the skin until it is completely dry. Avoid rubbing, which may irritate and dry your face.
Step 3
Apply petroleum jelly to your face while your skin is still warm and slightly moist from the shower. Dab a small amount of petroleum jelly on your fingers, then massage the jelly into your cheeks, chin, forehead and nose, using gentle, circular motions. If your neck is dry, apply petroleum jelly using long, upward strokes from the lower part of your neck to your chin. Massage your skin lightly until the jelly is absorbed and your face and fingers are dry.
Step 4
Reapply petroleum jelly after every shower or bath and every time you cleanse your face so that it can seal the moisture in your skin cells.
Step 5
Smooth petroleum jelly into dry, chapped areas as needed throughout the day.
Related Articles
How to Have Nice Knees
How to Get Rid of Irritation From ...
How to Get Rid of All the Tiny Embedded ...
Help With Chapped Red Cheeks
Yogurt Face Mask for Acne
The Best Ways to Get Dead Skin Off of ...
How to Use a Toner on the Face
How to Make Body Scrub With Olive Oil & ...
Can the Neck Be Exfoliated?
How to Use Pyrithione Zinc for Rosacea
Are There Ways to Get Rid of Blocked ...
How to Exfoliate Legs for Shaving
How to Reduce Facial Redness From ...
How to Remove a Dilated Pore on the ...
How to Apply Talcum Powder
How to Have Flawless Armpits
How to Get Dark Ankles Lighter
How to Get a Closer Electric Shave
How to Remove the Smell of Cologne From ...
How to Stop Facial Redness From Shaving
References
- Harvard Medical School: 9 Ways to Banish Dry Skin
- CNN.com: Beauty Myths Debunked
- Vanderbilt University: Follow These Cold-Weather Tips for Taking Care of Your Skin
- Brigham Young University College of Life Sciences: Material Safety Data Sheet: Petrolatum, White
- Brown University Health Services: Winter Dry Skin
- Harvard Medical School: What to do About Dry Skin in Winter
Tips
- Look for petroleum jelly labeled 100-percent pure. Although other products are often less expensive, they may contain impure ingredients, including some that may be carcinogenic.
- Always wash your face with a gentle, moisturizing skin cleanser. Avoid harsh soap or products containing alcohol or fragrance. As a general rule, liquid cleansers provide more moisture than bar soaps.
- A humidifier can ease dry skin by elevating the humidity in your home, especially during the winter.
Warnings
- Apply petroleum jelly gently to the delicate skin under your eyes, but be careful not to get it in your eyes because petroleum jelly can cause minor eye irritation.
- Stop using petroleum jelly if your skin becomes itchy, red or irritated. Although petroleum jelly is considered nontoxic, some people may experience skin irritation after repeated use.
Writer Bio
M.H. Dyer began her writing career as a staff writer at a community newspaper and is now a full-time commercial writer. She writes about a variety of topics, with a focus on sustainable, pesticide- and herbicide-free gardening. She is an Oregon State University Master Gardener and Master Naturalist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing.
Photo Credits
Digital Vision/Photodisc/Getty Images