3 Ways to Use Vaseline for Hair

Vaseline has been used for hair care ever since we can remember. Most of us live in homes that have at least one tub of Vaseline that seems to be sitting around forever on a bathroom shelf or in a medicine cabinet.

When we were kids, worried moms wiped globs of it on our mouths to prevent us from getting chapped lips, and sometimes these same moms used it to soothe the dry, calloused skin on their own elbows or feet. They even applied Vaseline for hair treatments when there were no other options on hand at home.

Is Using Vaseline For Hair a Good Idea?

Even though it’s common knowledge that using Vaseline for hair helps control annoying frizzies and flyaways, have you ever wondered about other, less common ways of using it? You might be surprised to learn that using Vaseline helps solves some other haircare problems too.

What Exactly is Vaseline?

Vaseline is a product brand name for a substance known as petroleum jelly, and the words can be used interchangeably. Petroleum jelly is a semi-solid combination of mineral oils and natural waxes that, when blended, form a gooey, sticky ointment that can be easily wiped or spread over any bodily surface.

The reason that the subject of using Vaseline for hair comes up so often is that it’s known for its ability to lock in moisture where you want it locked in, and repel moisture and water where you want it repelled. Because petroleum jelly doesn’t penetrate tissues or cells, it’s not an adequate substitute for moisturizing skin lotions or hair conditioners.

How to Use Vaseline for Hair

Most people are aware that petroleum jelly can be used as a scalp conditioner, hair gel substitute, split end tamer, or as a styling pomade to add shine to your hair. You may have also figured out that using it to coat your ears and hairline will protect your skin from staining when using home hair dye kits.

But there are a few other ways to use Vaseline for hair that you might not be aware of:

Hair straightener

• Try a mixture of 1 tbsp. Vaseline, 1 tbsp. hair tonic, 2 tbsp. castor oil, 2 tbsp. aloe vera gel from a tube, 2 yellow vitamin E capsules and 2 beaten eggs to do a fabulous job of straightening coarse, wavy hair.
• Apply the cream thoroughly to slightly damp hair, covering all the strands.
• Leave it in for at least 30 minutes, and then wash and condition.
• Blowdry using the “cool” setting and enjoy sleek, smooth, and silky straight hair.

Protective Hair Mask and Overnight Pre-poo:

• In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp. petroleum jelly, 1 tsp. olive oil, 1 vitamin E capsule, and ½ tsp. fresh lemon juice and blend thoroughly.
• Apply the mixture to dry hair and leave it overnight.
• Wash your hair the next morning with a gentle shampoo and style as usual.
• Use this method at least three times a week to promote hair growth.

Swim Protection

If you enjoy swimming in a pool as a frequent form of exercise or recreation, you know the havoc that chlorinated water can cause to your hair. Try using Vaseline for hair protection the next time you jump in the water.

• Take a small amount of Vaseline.
• Rub it in the palms of your hands.
• Then rub your palms and fingers through your hair until the strands are coated with a light film of the petroleum jelly.

Vaseline is challenging to remove from long hair, so this particular water barrier technique works best if you have short hair and don’t use bathing caps when you swim in pools.

How Not to Use Vaseline for Hair

Avoid questionable advice suggesting that you use petroleum jelly to kill head lice or to turn gray hair black; we haven’t found any credible data that proves those claims.

Key Takeaways

• Vaseline or petroleum jelly isn’t a substitute for moisturizing lotion or hair conditioners as it doesn’t penetrate the skin.
• Use it to coat ears and hairline to prevent it from staining.
• Petroleum jelly can be used as a hair straightener and protective hair mask.
• It can be used to protect hair from the Chlorine water of the swimming pool.
• Vaseline doesn’t kill lice nor it helps to turn gray hair into black.

What we can say with confidence is that its versatility as a cosmetic product has made Vaseline for hair a go-to choice for almost 150 years, and there are no signs of its popularity slowing down any time soon.

Let us know how you use Vaseline on your hair!