Unless you were born with naturally long, thick eyelashes, or have a long eyelash condition like trichomegaly you have likely read up on the many different ways you can thicken your own, whether you have spent hours researching the best mascara to use or paid way too much money for mega volume lash extensions.
Many of us dream of those rich, fluffy eyelashes that we wish we could wake up with.
We’ve all been there, honey.
Many of us are familiar with the theory that we can cause our own eyelashes to grow longer by applying petroleum jelly, specifically Vaseline.
If you’re reading this article, maybe you have never tried this method before. Maybe you are not sure if the method is realistic, and you’re not sure whether to try it out for yourself.
What if it irritates your eyes? What if it damages your lashes?
What does Vaseline really do if it is applied to your eyelashes? Well, today, we are going to find out. Let’s delve deeper into the world of beauty, and whether petroleum jelly really can help your eyelashes grow.
So, let’s jump straight into it.
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‘What is Vaseline?’: A History Lesson
For those who don’t know what we are talking about, let’s get more specific about the product that we previously mentioned.
Vaseline is a brand of petroleum jelly, usually found in a clear tub with a blue label.
This jelly can be used for many different purposes, such as being used as an ointment for itchy skin conditions, such as mild forms of eczema, a lubricant for building purposes (no, it is not recommended for sexual purposes), and a moisturiser for dry, damaged skin, popularly being applied to chapped lips to aid healing.
While the company itself, named Vaseline, has released several versions of moisturizers, creams, soaps, deodorants, and more over the past few decades, when the word ‘Vaseline’ is mentioned, the average person’s thoughts go straight to the little tubs of clear-colored ointment that is kept in most people’s bathroom cupboards, stored away for when it is needed.
The brand is so huge across the globe that many forms of petroleum jellies, no matter which brand created them, are synonymously known as ‘Vaseline’.
The multipurpose goop found inside these tubs is made from 100% purified white petrolatum, and has been used by thousands of households all across the world since the mid 19th century.
Vaseline was initially created by Robert Chesebrough, an American chemist who found a substance known as ‘Rod Wax’, found inside oil rig pumps, while traveling to Pennsylvania in 1859 to research what materials could be created from kerosene, extracted from the oil of sperm whales.
This wax was being used by local oil workers as a remedy for cuts and burns. Chesebrough took some samples and brought them back to his home in Brooklyn, New York, and began manufacturing the greasy substance that we use to this day.
It was in his U.S. patent that the brand name was first stated, when he wrote: ‘I, Robert Chesebrough, have invented a new and useful product from petroleum which I have named Vaseline…’.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Does Vaseline Help Eyelashes Grow?
So, returning back to our titular question: alongside its several other uses, can Vaseline really aid the growth of natural eyelashes?
The answer is ‘no’.
Unfortunately, no product made from purely petroleum jelly can make your eyelashes grow any longer than they already are. This is bad news for everybody that truly believed that Vaseline, or any other kind of cheap ointment, could actually help strengthen and lengthen your eyelashes.
In order for a product to be able to aid the natural growth of your eyelashes, they will need to contain an ingredient called biotin (also known as B7 or Vitamin H): this is a vitamin from the ‘B’ family that helps the body convert food into energy. It can be found in egg yolks, yeast, bananas, milk, and liver.
Our body already produces this vitamin naturally, and without it, we would be put at danger of hair thinning and skin rashes. biotin has been used as an ingredient in most hair growth products for a long time due to its ability to strengthen hair follicles and maximize hair growth overall.
By using biotin on your eyelashes, or a product that contains biotin, the vitamin will increase blood flow to your hair follicles, improving the condition of your hair by thickening it, strengthening it, and preventing overall dryness.
This process will also apply to the hair of your eyelashes, making biotin the perfect ingredient to aid natural eyelash growth, for longer lashes and increased lash growth .
Vaseline does not include biotin, or any other kind of hair strengthening vitamins, within its ingredients.
Therefore, while there are other benefits to using this product, it will not help your eyelashes grow any longer than they already are originally.
Other Benefits that Vaseline Has On Eyelashes
So, there you have your definite answer: Vaseline will not promote eyelash growth, but it can have similar effects of coconut oil or castor oil, and moisturize brittle lashes.
That means that there is no reason to coat your lashes with this specific brand of petroleum jelly, right? Wrong.
While the product will not help with this specific issue, there are many other benefits that can be found while applying Vaseline, or other brands of petroleum jelly, to your eyelashes.
Below, we have listed a number of reasons why you should consider using Vaseline on your lashes, aside from allegedly helping them grow longer.
Vaseline Can Help Dry, Brittle Eyelashes Become Healthier (And Appear Thicker)
While it has been scientifically proven that petroleum jelly will not aid eyelash growth, it can still give the illusion of thicker lashes or healthier eyelashes when applied. Add a small amount of Vaseline to the base of the lashes, or on the tips, to fake the appearance of longer eyelashes overall. It’s also better to leave this on the lashes overnight to act as a lash serum.
Vaseline Seals In Moisture, Making Your Lashes More Luscious
Due to its moisture locking properties, Vaseline is a great product to use on dry eyelashes, restoring health and allowing them to not only appear stronger but to actually become healthier.
If you suffer from dry skin on your face, the ointment will also help moisturize the skin on your eyelids when applied to the eyelashes. This can also aid in repairing the eyelashes if you wear mascara often.
Vaseline Is Inexpensive Compared To Other Products
The previously mentioned vitamin, biotin, can be found in many eyelash serums, and the majority of them will produce healthier-looking eyelashes. However, the price tag may put a lot of people off: some of these products can cost up to $50.
Vaseline generally costs under $5, depending on the size of the tub, and other brands of petroleum jelly may be even cheaper.
There Is A Low Chance Of Contracting Eye Infections
Some people are more prone than others to catching infections in sensitive areas of the body, including their eyes.
Thankfully, those using Vaseline around the area of their eyes will not have to worry about that risk: due to the product being made of 100% pure white petrolatum, there are no ingredients in the jelly that could cause harm to a person’s eyes.
That being said, if you do have sensitive skin, then you may not want to use this around the delicate eye area.
If you are searching for a product that will, at the very least, give the appearance of healthier, more luscious eyelashes, you should definitely still give Vaseline a try.
While it will not help your eyelashes grow to a longer length, it will still restore and lock in moisture while allowing them to look thicker and healthier.
How to Apply Vaseline to Your Eyelashes?
Have we convinced you to try Vaseline on your eyelashes? If so, you may be wondering how to apply the substance in a safe manner: no one wants to take risks with sensitive body parts, especially the ones that provide us with the ability of sight.
Here is how you can safely apply Vaseline to your eyelashes and eyelids:
1. Wash Your Hands
Before you even touch the tub of Vaseline, make sure that your hands are completely clean and dry. Thoroughly scrub both hands to ensure that they are free of any dirt or residue between your fingers or inside your fingernails.
2. Clean Your Eyelids Beforehand
Everybody’s skincare routine is different, therefore you should gently wash the area around your eyes in whichever way you usually do. Make sure that this area is completely clean so that there is no risk of residue falling into your eyes during this process.
– Use A Cotton Swab For Application
Putting vaseline along the lash line is simple. Find a cotton swab, and gently dip it into the tub of petroleum jelly. Only scoop up a tiny, tiny amount: you won’t need a lot of the product to see full effects.
Using a thin coat, gently slide the swab across the jelly until it appears to be lightly covered.
3. Apply The Vaseline
Gently apply the Vaseline-covered cotton swab to the base of your eyelashes along the lower lash line and the upper lashes, smudging it across like you’re applying mascara.
Slowly cover the upper eyelashes and the lower eyelashes until they are all shiny and smooth (don’t use too much, or your eyes will become all goopy and greasy).
4. Leave The Vaseline On Your Eyelashes For A While
If you have applied the jelly before bedtime, it is perfectly safe for you to fall asleep with the product still on your eyelashes. If you cleaned your face properly beforehand, there should be no risk of dirt getting into your eyes.
Leave the Vaseline on your eyelashes for a couple of hours, the longer the better.
5. Remove The Vaseline
Once those couple of hours have passed, you may remove the Vaseline using makeup remover and a clean cotton swab: you could use warm water to remove the residue, but water alone may not remove the entirety of the jelly, leaving your eyelids greasy.
Final Thoughts On Vaseline And Eyelash Growth
So, to recap: will Vaseline help your eyelashes grow? The answer is, of course, ‘no’.
While this may surprise many people, is it really so hard to believe that petroleum jelly that costs less than five dollars isn’t a miracle hair grower?
Come on, guys. Whilst it may not make your eyelashes grow longer, it can help them stay healthy, and make your lashes lock moisture inside, to prevent lash breakage. It is also a great option to strengthen and help your natural lashes grow if they have been cut and you are wanting them to grow back healthy.
If you are still searching for a product that will aid eyelash growth, check out some eyelash growth products that include biotin, as this vitamin is clinically proven to help your hair grow to a certain extent.
If you still want to give Vaseline a try, no one is going to stop you, and there are many benefits that you can still gain from using it on your eyes. No harm done either way. For information on ways for longer lash growth check out our article Does Crying Make Your Eyelashes Longer?
Kaija has been in the beauty industry for over ten years, with certification in Microblading. She has also been certified to do permanent makeup and brow lamination for five years.
She recently ventured out and got certified in lash extensions, lifts, and tints. Kaija strives to make her clients feel beautiful and enjoys sharing her beauty tips and tricks with those wanting to learn the ins and outs of the ever-changing beauty industry.