Does Vaseline help eyelashes grow? Is it good to use Vaseline petroleum jelly on for eyebrow growth, to make them thick and long? Here are pictures and steps on how to put petroleum jelly on your eyelashes to make them grow healthier.
Vaseline, a brand of petroleum jelly, provides amazing conditioning and moisturizing for lashes that are dry and breaking. It helps them grow longer, thicker, and stronger. Its moisturizing properties can help the skin around the eyelid stay smooth and supple. The best way to get results from this is to use a cleaned mascara wand to apply the Vaseline to your eyelashes before bed.
According to Wikipedia, Vaseline or “petroleum jelly, either pure or as an ingredient, was also popular as a hair pomade.” It can be used as a hair grooming aid for reducing moisture loss and friction.
Is Vaseline good for your eyelashes?
The benefits of putting Vaseline®, a brand of petroleum jelly, on eyelashes are somewhat controversial, but in most cases pros concern beauty benefits while cons include clogged pores and allergic reactions.
- Many people believe that petroleum jelly can condition eyelashes and can help them grow longer, thicker, and stronger.
- It’s also claimed that the jelly’s moisturizing properties can help thesensitive skin around the eyelid stay smooth and supple.
The product is somewhat greasy, however, and is thick enough to block airflow to the skin’s pores. This can cause greasiness and smudging, and can make it hard to evenly apply makeup. In some cases it can also lead to acne and skin reactions.
Vaseline does have certain benefits. For starters, it’s really cheap, super accessible and it is extremely moisturizing which is why it makes your lashes less dry and less prone to breakage. It also gives the look of instant “fullness” and can help protect your lashes by re-hydrating them.
- The downside is that Vaseline is also pretty controversial. It isa by-product of petroleum, after all.
Proponents of Vaseline say that the stuff is safe, but you should know that the components that are removed from the oil during the refining process of petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) is carcinogenic in some cases.
So what’s the conclusion? Is Vaseline good for your eyelashes? Is it even safe to wear? It’s fine to use, but not on a daily basis.
- Vaseline is extremely protective because it provides an impenetrable barrier against outer elements.
- Vaseline can be beneficial when your lashes have been through a lot and need some major hydration pronto.
But for long-term, daily use – the best option to choose are richly nourishing natural oils for lashes like castor oil and coconut oil.
These oils provide nutrients and vitamins for eyelash growth like fatty acids and antioxidants. Vaseline simply does not have these oils and vitamins. They also come with the added benefit of being completely, totally, 100% natural so you can rest assured about the safety of putting them on your eyes.
Benefits of Vaseline on skin and eyebrows
Vaseline and petroleum jelly has a lot of uses. These include beauty uses, such as growth of eyebrows, makeup removal, plumping wrinkles, etc. But when it comes to making eyelashes grow long, thick and full, what are the benefits of Vaseline?
1. Moisturizing and conditioning eyelashes
Vaseline® contains several moisturizing emollients and humectants that have the ability to moisten the skin and condition human hair follicles. The jelly is popular as a lip balm for this reason.
- Many believe that it can also make individual lashes grow stronger and healthier by sealing in moisture and improving the strength of the cellular bonds that make up each strand.
- It should be noted that none of the jelly’s listed ingredients has ever been proved to cause hair to grow any longer, faster, or thicker, but softening and conditioning the eyelashes may prevent breakage.
In turn, this allows the eyelashes to grow to a longer than usual length. For people with dry, brittle eyelashes, the extra conditioning may make a noticeable difference.
2. Cosmetic appeal
Some people lightly dab Vaseline on eyelashes in place of mascara for a less dramatic “day look.” The jelly can help the lashes appear longer and thicker which can make the eyes look wider, but without the use of actual makeup.
Others apply a very thin layer to both the eyelashes and eyelid, providing a sticky base for eye makeup.
- Mixing a bit of powered shadow or rouge with the jelly can create something of an “eye gloss” that can help makeup stick to the lashes and lids more effectively.
This is intended to allow the makeup to last longer, but some women who have tried it complain that it causes the makeup to smear. Putting mascara on over Vaseline® is often particularly problematic.
Vaseline is sometimes used as a low cost makeup remover because of how well makeup sticks to it. Stubborn mascara or eyeliner can often be taken off relatively easily by dabbing a bit of jelly onto the problem areas, then finishing with a mild soap and warm water.
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Cons or side effects
1. Greasiness and Pore Problems
Greasiness is one of the biggest cons of Vaseline on eyelashes. The substance is thick and goopy, which can sometimes cause the lashes to clump together.
This can make it difficult to see clearly and also may prevent the eyes from blinking regularly if worn too thickly.
The jelly can also clog pores on the eyelid and lead to an infected pore. Pores naturally open and close in response to moisture levels and environmental triggers. When they can’t do this because of blockage the oils that the skin naturally secretes can become trapped below the surface, causing acne or itchy rashes on eyelid. Eyelid pimples and bumps can also result.
Additionally, it is possible that Vaseline could clog tear ducts and other glands, causing eye irritation, styes, or a number of other problems.
2. Adverse Reactions
Allergic reactions to Vaseline are rare but possible. People with really sensitive skin tend to be most at risk. In these cases it’s often a good idea to apply a bit of the jelly to the back of the hand or other area of skin away from the eye to test for reactions.
As with any foreign substance, there is always a risk of eye irritation. Before applying any new substance near the eyes, one should always check the list of ingredients for anything to which he or she might be allergic.
Does Vaseline Help Eyelashes Grow Long?
If you’re looking to grow longer eyelashes – then, no, Vaseline will not dramatically lengthen your eyelashes. To do that, you’ll want a great eyelash growth product.
If you are looking for more moisturized, thicker lashes – then Vaseline is an easy, inexpensive way of preventing dry, brittle lashes and getting your lash line in tip top condition.
Vaseline is one of those incredible multipurpose skin care products that every girl should have in their handbag.
You might simply associate this thick, greasy stuff with soothing chapped lips but it actually has a number of uses and one of the more little-known ones is helping lashes look longer, smoother and less likely to become brittle and break off.
- Vaseline moisturizes the base and roots of your eyelashes so they are less likely to fall out, which means they have more of an opportunity to grow.
- It also has great emollient properties (it locks in moisture!), which is why it is widely used to sooth chapped, dry lips.
That’s why Vaseline is particularly helpful if you are concerned your lashes may be drying out, or if they feel stiff or brittle due to continual use of mascara. Vaseline can help to rehydrate them, leaving them feeling soft and smooth and far less likely to snap – which can easily happen, especially if you’ve been overdoing the mascara.
You can find Vaseline in most drugstores and it’s dirt cheap so you can achieve more moisturized, well-hydrated lashes without breaking the bank.
And while Vaseline won’t make your eyelashes grow – the great news is that as soon as your apply Vaseline to your lashes, you’ll be able to see instantly smoother, healthier and more defined lashes.
Oh, you can also use Vaseline with or in lieu of mascara. For example, if you don’t like the look or feel of lashings and lashings of mascara, Vaseline will give your lashes a natural, fresh dewy look which is perfect if you are going for an off-duty daytime look.
It also can make your makeup last longer, so if you still feel you need mascara to create that full lash effect then you can apply Vaseline as a base layer on your lashes and then simply coat a layer or two of mascara over the top!
Does Vaseline make eyelashes grow thicker?
When using Vaseline to grow thicker eyelashes, do not expect overnight success. The process is a bit lengthened. This is because most users report that first you have to apply the Vaseline on a daily basis.
Secondly, many proponents of this method of growing eyelashes thicker have reported that they had to wait till the old lashes fell out (growth process) in order to see the real change.
- The effect of applying Vaseline daily on the eyelashes was that the resulting eyelashes had grown thicker, longer and more luscious than they were before!
This is because the users had created a daily regime of cleaning their eye areas and then applying Vaseline daily. These habits created a healthy environment for eyelash growth. It is clear therefore, why the resultant lashes grew to be thicker, longer, darker and more luscious.
How to use Vaseline to make eyelashes grow
To use Vaseline to grow your eyelashes, follow the steps below. Remember to
1. Get the mascara off your wand:
Grab a paper towel. If you use a soft tissue, it will likely cause more of a mess than you began with. Using your paper towel, dab the bristles of your mascara wand. If there is stubborn mascara clinging for life, gently wiggle your wand back and forth in a folded paper towel. This will also help spread the bristles.
2. Clean your wand
Now, dip your wand in lukewarm water. Let it sit for 2-4 minutes with all of the bristles fully submerged. This loosens any dried mascara that’s on your wand.
3. Pat dry
Use a paper towel again to gently pat your mascara wand dry. You want the wand to be totally dry before you use it. If you’ve cleaned it ahead of time, store it in a plastic bag to keep it clean and bacteria free.
4. Remove any makeup
Wash any makeup off of your eyes and lashes. This will help the moisturizing qualities of the Vaseline do its job.
5. Mix the Vaseline
Using your clean finger, move the top layer of Vaseline around. This will warm it up and make it easier to apply.
6. Dip your wand in the Vaseline
You want to get a heavy amount of Vaseline on your wand. It has a tendency to clump onto the front of your brush. If this happens, simply use a damp paper towel to help spread it evenly down your wand.
7. Apply to your upper lashes
Just as if you were applying mascara, apply the Vaseline to your upper lashes. Coat both sides of your lashes thoroughly, making sure not to get any in your eyes.
If you wish, you can smudge some of the Vaseline back over your eyelid for smoother skin. If you have sensitive skin, this may cause a reaction so be sure to test it on the back of your hand before doing this.
8. Apply to your lower lash line
Dip your wand back in the Vaseline. Being careful, once again, to not get the Vaseline in your eyes, apply it to your bottom lashes. Your lashes will clump together when you apply the Vaseline.
However, be careful not to put on too much or it will end up all over your face and sheets. You should use enough to coat your eyelashes evenly in one thin coat.
9. Let it sit
If you apply this every night, the Vaseline will moisturize your lashes which prevents them from breaking off and falling out prematurely. The conditioning qualities will help prolong the cycle of each eyelash, resulting in thicker and longer lashes.
10. Wash it off in the morning
When you wake up, wash the Vaseline off. If you have trouble getting the Vaseline off of your eyelashes, try using a cleanser. Because its oil based, water might not be enough.
Use your regular make-up routine during the day. If you do this consistently, you can see results in as little as three days.
Tips for using Vaseline to grow eyelashes
You don’t have to wait 2-4 weeks to reap the benefits of Vaseline. As soon as you put it on, the oily substance increases reflection and can add drama and definition to your lashes much like mascara does.
- Try using Vaseline every day under your usual mascara, it could just make your look last a little bit longer.
- Be patient with your lashes. Everyone is different, there is no fixed time as to when you are going to start to see results. Some people say it is in a span of days while others have to wait a month or so. Just be patient with your lashes, and you will surely reap the benefits of your perseverance.
How long does it take to grow eyelashes with Vaseline
Although admittedly it has its drawback (but what doesn’t right?), Vaseline is still a must try if you’re looking to get longer lashes. Its price is also very cheap. You can also find it anywhere.
Just be careful and make sure to rinse it off properly. Also, monitor for any allergies and such. But the most important reminder of all is to be patient.
Vaseline heals your brittle and dry lashes, breathing into it, new life, it’ll take some time. This is because it is a healing remedy that has to work from within so that the resultant eyelashes will be stronger, thicker, longer and more luscious than they were.
Side effects of putting Vaseline on eyelashes
Some people find the consistency of Vaseline to be greasy and the product itself difficult to remove. They are therefore not comfortable using it as a remedy for dry skin.
As an oily petroleum jelly product, Vaseline can be difficult to remove with water alone. Many people prefer not to use it for dry skin due to its texture or simply prefer not to use it on certain parts of their bodies, such as the face.
The safety of using Vaseline for dry skin is debatable. Some people argue that it clogs pores and the chemicals that Vaseline is derived from are not healthy for human skin to absorb.
From an anecdotal perspective, many people believe the use of Vaseline has been linked to acne breakouts and other negative skin conditions. Despite these concerns, Vaseline is still considered safe and is approved for use by many governments.
The jelly can also clog pores on the eyelid. Pores naturally open and close in response to moisture levels and environmental triggers, and when they can’t do this because of blockage the oils that the skin naturally secretes can become trapped below the surface, causing acne or itchy rashes.
People with really sensitive skin tend to be most at risk, and in these cases it’s often a good idea to apply a bit of the jelly to the back of the hand or other area of skin away from the eye to test for reactions.
As with any foreign substance, there is always a risk of eye irritation. Before applying any new substance near the eyes, one should always check the list of ingredients for anything to which he or she might be allergic.
Results, before and after pictures
Here are photos showing results before and after. All these pictures are collected online.
Sources and references:
- Consumer Health Digest: Tricks to Naturally Lengthen Your Eyelashes with Vaseline.
- Wisegeek: What Are the Pros and Cons of Putting Vaseline on Eyelashes?
- Wikipedia: Petroleum Jelly
