Ying Yearns For Longer Lashes:
Does VASELINE petroleum jelly really helps to thicken and elongate eyelashes and eyebrows?
The Left Brain Responds:
Vaseline petroleum jelly, or petrolatum, as it is technically known, is a multipurpose cosmetic ingredient. It is an excellent moisturizer because it creates a barrier layer on the skin that retards water loss. It is also used as a base for many hairdressing products because it’s heavy, greasy consistency can help control flyway hair.
Does it thicken and elongate eyelashes? I suppose that coating your lashes with any thick, greasy substance could, in theory, make them look longer and thick. But it will NOT physically increase the diameter or length of the eyelash itself. We’re sorry to tell you the Vaseline is not a great solution to lack luster lashes.
Want to know more about this miracle goop? Here are my 3 favorite facts about Vaseline petroleum jelly:
1) According to some sources, the brand name Vaseline is a combination of the German word for water, wasser (pronounced vahser), and the Greek word for oil, elaion.
2) Robert Chesebrough, the inventor of the process used to purify petrolatum, used a clever trick when hawking his product. First he`d burn his skin with acid or a flame and then he`d apply petroleum jelly to the burned area. Finally he would show the audience how his previous burn marks had healed after treatment with his miracle product. Now let`s see the Right Brain try that!
3) Despite popular misconceptions, petroleum jelly is NOT a good sexual lubricant because it is oil-based and will dissolve latex condoms. (Once again, Right Brain please take note.)
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Re: #3,
As someone who is married and does not need to use condoms I can say that petroleum jelly is excellent as a lubricant – but yeah, it’s a poor choice for anyone who should be using condoms.
I had surgery a few years back and they put vaseline around your eyes while in the O.R. They do this because your eyes get taped shut while your out. First applied is vaseline, then a cotton ball over each closed eye, then some non-stick medical tape. I have to say that during recovery all the visitors I had noticed how dark and lovely my eyelashes were. Not thicker, but more pronounced. I have often considered using some type of oil on my eyelashes for this reason, however, I am not sure what the health risks are?
I have been using Vaseline on my whole face (it started just around my eyes and my eyelashes) very regularly for the past 2.5 months. I must say that I have noticed a change in my lashes, they are darker and more full then they have ever been. My face also looks so healthy and glowing, I also use an expensive product but the Vaseline REALLY HELPS, no joke, no bs. I am the LAST person who would ever consider putting Vaseline on my face and neck but trust me it works, just try it for one night and you will see how soft and glowing your face looks the next day. Its pretty crazy
well i had no idea what everyone is talking about!!! but ill try it!!!! well for me while growing up my mum used to put vaseline on my hair and it made it grow thicker and longer than i grew up taking care of my own hair and i used up a lot of chemicals for straightning,perming etc!!! and now im 21 yrs of age and im married im loosing alot of hair especially when i comb!!! thn i thought of vaseline !!! do you think if i used it will my hair grow back?
well tanks ladies!you’ve really provided a solution to one of my greatest problems.ypu see,im nigerian and due to the weather and my genes,my lashes are a mess.i think i!ll try the vaseline.we’ve got lots of it over here.
once I put vasline on my pubes, DAMN, it looked like a beautiful garden, I’m telling you it works
vasline is the best. it made it soft and moisturized.
Vaseline is also a perfect lip balm.
i use vasline on my eye area and have noticed my lashes are darker and stronger. I only use it twice a week because it’s so thick and I am thinking it could actually be stretching the tiny skin fibers apart. (just an assumption) I use olay rengerist, natrual cucumber eye creams, este lauder, but my favorite, i dont why is olay total effects it just works for me. but i like to put vaseline on my whole face three times a week when i use obagi .05 tretinoin cream. I like vaseline on my neck area too. It works really well, anyone who uses it consistantly probably has the best skin ever.
Hi beautybrains,
Does your assertion that petrolatum is an excellent moisturiser still hold up in light of Izabela Buraczewska’s study showing that mineral oil actually increases TEWL (water loss)?
Also, I was wondering if you could demystify Buraczewska’s new study: “Moisturizers change the mRNA expression of enzymes synthesizing skin barrier lipids” for me. In light of this evidence, is there really any need to use moisturisers at all?
We hadn’t seen the new study. I’ll take a look. This is in contrast to previous studies so we’ll have to see what the study shows and how the results are explained in light of all the previous research.
Great find though!
I’ve been using Vaseline on my bottom lashline for just a week now and have already seen drastic improvements. Even when I remove the petroleum jelly they still appear long
I have just started using vaseline on my top lashes and will start using it on the bottom ones, my lashes are softer and seem to hold mascara better and are also in better condition
It has just been 2 days since I started applying petroluem jelly (not vaseline brand though) on my upper and lower lash line overnight. I can say they are starting to curl a little really nice. Before they were boring as straight.
I’m aiming to grow them more lush. 
I swear by Vaseline brand petroleum jelly. My lashes are definitely longer.
Hi Homie
Very insightful, and informative. I dont usually make comments, as Im kind of a blog lurker, but I thought it deserved a word or two.
i want to know if vaseline petroleum jelly is safe for the eyes as i have high numbers on the glasses..because whenever i aaply it, it gets into the eyes…does it cause any sort of damage or harm to the eyes??is it safe??can it cause blindness???? plzz help!!!
im excited my eyelashes are already suppper long maybe theyll get longer tehehe
okay so which one works better for making your eyekashes thicker and Longer?
vaseline or olive oil??? because i’ve heard both! and how often should you apply both of them? and can you switch up on which one you apply every othe rday? cause on one sight i heard you apply olive oil like 3 times a week but then i heard you should apply vaseline everynight and every morning. is this true?
I posted a comment which applies to petroleum jelly to the eyelashes in the entry addressing castor oil. As a biochemistry scholar, I haven’t come across any hard evidence about petroleum jelly’s potential of causing blindness. I myself have been using petroleum jelly on my lashes for maybe 2 years now and I do think my lash length has increased. But like I mentioned in the other comment, this is due more to its moisturizing effect than it’s ability to stimulate growth.
Also, sheena – to apply it without getting it into eyes, I use an eyeliner brush (a cheap one from target) and line my lash line with the petroleum jelly. I also took a mascara trial brush from sephora and use that to coat my lashes like I’m applying mascara. I do this every night and sometimes during the day if I’m just lounging or at home for the day.
Hope this helps!
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