A new beauty trend is taking over our social media feeds, and this time it’s all about eyelashes. The next best beauty hack, people claim, is to ditch mascara altogether and use something you already have in your bathroom cabinet: Vaseline. According to TikTok, Vaseline makes eyelashes look more lifted, holds curl better, and acts as a camo for eyelash lifts.
Vaseline is a mixture of mineral oil and wax that has a jelly-like consistency and is primarily known for moisturizing and sealing the skin barrier. You may already be using it to moisturize dry skin, eyelids, and lips, soothe small cuts, prevent chafing, and condition the cuticle, but using it on eyelashes is unknown. It’s an area.
Truth be told, there are many things you can do to achieve perfectly curled, lifted, and voluminous eyelashes. However, the area around your eyes is sensitive, so it’s important to be careful about what you apply near it, especially if you wear contacts. So we asked two board-certified dermatologists to answer all your questions. Below, you’ll learn whether it’s safe to use Vaseline on your eyelashes, potential side effects, and how to use it the right way.
meet an expert
Dr. Shari Lipner is a board-certified dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. Dr. Jacques Levy is a board-certified dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.
What is Vaseline?
Vaseline is the trade name for Vaseline or Vaseline. Dermatologists widely recommend this oil-based compound to lock in moisture, heal wounds, and support skin barrier function. “It’s an inert substance that can also be used as a vehicle to deliver drugs to the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jacques Levy.
Dr. Shari Lipner, a board-certified dermatologist, added that Vaseline was first discovered in 1859 by Robert Augustus Chesebrough, who noticed that oil workers were applying a similar substance to cuts and burns.
advantage
According to Dr. Levy, one of the main benefits of Vaseline is its occlusion properties, which help lock in moisture. “When you use soap, it binds to the natural oils that your skin produces and washes them away,” he says. “This loss of skin’s natural barrier function allows more water to evaporate from the skin’s surface.” I’ll put it away.”
This process is known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and can cause skin sensitivity, spontaneous rashes, and worsening of conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Restoring the natural barrier helps hydrated skin stay supple and youthful, and importantly, provides a healthy surface for hair to grow.
Beyond its benefits for the skin, Dr. Levy points out that petroleum jelly can trap moisture in the hair shaft, including the eyelashes. “It can prevent eyelash hair loss, strengthen and smooth eyelashes, and protect them from damage caused by trauma or chemicals,” he says. “It can also prevent eyelashes from becoming brittle and prone to breaking or falling out due to minor trauma, such as using a mascara brush or eyelash curler.”
potential side effects
The good thing about Vaseline is that very few people are allergic to it. That is why dermatologists widely recommend Vaseline. However, Dr. Levy notes that in rare cases, applying Vaseline to the skin can cause hives.
Particular attention should be paid to the area around the eyes. “Frequently applying large amounts of petroleum jelly around the eyes can clog pores and even clog oil glands, leading to painful bumps known as chalazions and stye,” Dr. Levy explains. do. “Contact with petrolatum in the eyes can cause long-term blurred vision and, rarely, a foreign body reaction called conjunctival granuloma.”
Dr. Lipner added that it can also clog oil glands and cause styes. “Avoid use if you have a history of eye infections,” she advises.
People with acne-prone skin may also develop pimples on their face. “When used on the face, only use it for a short period of time, usually within a week,” says Dr. Lipner.
Is Vaseline effective for lifting eyelashes?
If you’ve ever used Vaseline to lift your eyelashes under the influence of TikTok, you’re not alone. There is some truth to this trend. Dr Levy says: “Vaseline conditions the eyelashes as a lubricant and moisturizer, making them more flexible, less likely to break under the pressure of the eyelash curler, and more visible. This forms the basis of the eyelash lift trend. Masu.” “
However, he cautions that while Vaseline helps maintain the health of your eyelid skin and moisturizes your eyelashes, it doesn’t directly affect the length or thickness of your eyelashes. “Over time, conditioning your eyelashes reduces shedding and breakage, and allows your eyelashes to stay in the anagen phase longer, but it doesn’t actively grow or thicken them.”
How to apply to eyelashes
Vaseline should always be applied from an uncontaminated tube using clean hands, a sterile spoolie brush, or a clean applicator. Avoid using applicators that have previously touched someone’s lips, mouth, skin, or hair. “The bacteria that naturally live in these areas do not belong near the eye and can cause dangerous infections,” Dr. Levy says.
You should also be careful not to apply too much petroleum jelly on your eyelids. In this case, less is more. “The best time to apply Vaseline to your eyelashes is after you’ve moistened them with warm water, such as after a shower or bath,” explains Dr. Levy. He recommends following these steps:
Gently wash your eyelashes and eyelids with a tear-free baby shampoo. While your eyelashes are still damp, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly a short distance from where your eyelashes emerge from your skin and swipe them all over your lashes. If desired, use a clean eyelash curler to moisturize and lubricate your lashes, then gently curl them. For a wet look, lightly swipe your lashes from side to side with lubricated fingers or when clean. When removing Vaseline from your eyelashes, use a tear-free shampoo and be gentle with the area to avoid irritation.
last point
Vaseline doesn’t physically lift your eyelashes or help them grow, but it does make them look fuller and thicker. “We recommend using Vaseline from time to time to minimize potential side effects,” says Dr. Lipner. If used, please take appropriate precautions. Wash your hands, apply sparingly and gently remove with a tear-free shampoo.
For those seeking more dramatic results, Dr. Levy recommends FDA-approved treatments. “Dermatologists often prescribe bimatoprost, a topical medication that safely lengthens and thickens eyelashes,” he says. “You will need to continue using it to maintain your results, but you will see noticeable improvements.”
