Janelle says…Hi Beauty Brains! Let me start off my expressing how much I love your website! It’s informative, interesting, and best of all…SCIENTIFIC!! I am a college student, and love the last point! My question is, does Vaseline darken lips? I’ve always used it on my lips before I go to bed, but my roommate tells me that it darkens lips because it can be used to get a greater tan – as it is like an oil. Many people are adding their own anecdotal evidence about how it has darkened their lips – but I don’t know what to think! As it is, I have moderately dark lips. Is there any scientific proof? Please help! And many thanks!
The Right Brain responds:
Thanks for the kind words, Janelle! Vaseline is essentially petrolatum (which is closely related to mineral oil) so it’s reasonable to assume that they might work the same way. But we were surprised to find very little research on the effect of tanning oils on skin. (We did find studies on tanning accelerators like L-tyrosine but that’s a story for another day…) Still, after much searching, we did find one reputable source that should definitively answer your question.
Why does oil make you tan better?
Everyone seems to know that rubbing baby oil (aka mineral oil) on your skin will make you tan faster and deeper. Many articles claim that mineral oil “attracts” UV rays. But WHY is that? What’s really happening? According to a paper we found in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, mineral oil (and similar lubricants) are used to in the photo-therapy treatment of psoriasis to enhance the effects of UVB treatment. Apparently the mineral oil smooths scaly skin and decreases the amount of UV radiation that is reflected. Less reflection means skin absorbs MORE UVB rays. And since UVB rays are responsible for tanning, the skin gets darker. That must be how tanning oils work!
Remember, though, that your lips don’t tan. So if you’re asking about the actual lips themselves, this won’t work. But, if you’re asking about the skin of your upper lip, yes, it is very possible that putting Vaseline petroleum jelly on it will make it get darker (after exposure to sun.)
Image credit: http://neweyes.atlblogs.com/archives/february%20134.jpg
Reference: Phototherapy treatment of psoriasis today, Michael Zanolli, MD, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Volume 49 • Number 2 • August 2003
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Why Janelle don’t use hygienic lipstick instead of the old tools as Vaseline? All questions and fears are go away.
No Vaseline does not makes your lip dark….. i have been using it for such a long time and i have never feel like my lips has become dark.
This isn’t exactly about lips and Vaseline, but it got me thinking. My moisturiser is embryolisse, and I’m worried now because it contains mineral oil. Does this mean I’m making myself susceptible to UV rays?
So there IS some truth to that old wive’s tale after all. Interesting.
OMG! is this really true? I’ve been using Vaseline for sometime and I can’t get the results I wanted right away. So I shifted on Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm it has great effects, leaves skin smooth supple and lighter.
is it true? i m also applying vaseline for long time.. bt my lips are not dark.
is it true? i m also using Vaseline for long time. But my lips are not darker.
It depends what else is in the formulation. It contains any materials that will scatter the light then I don’t think the mineral oil will cause a problem.
No, Vaseline doesn’t make your lips darker.
I’ve been using it on my lips for years and years due to my eczema
If anything I feel that they have gotten lighter.