Product

Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly)

The most effective occlusive there is, with essentially no allergens, for a few dollars. When skin is reacting to everything, this is what still works.
At a Glance
Recommended

Vaseline is 100% petrolatum, an occlusive that seals the skin and cuts water loss by over 90%. No expensive cream beats it at that one job.

Its real strength is what it lacks. Most skin reactions trace back to fragrance, preservatives, lanolin, or botanical extracts. Vaseline has none of them, so there is essentially nothing to react to. That is why it is the fallback when skin is reacting to everything.

One technique note: it has no water in it, so it does not hydrate on its own. Apply it to damp skin or over a moisturizer, and it seals that water in.

Key facts

Key activePetrolatum 100%
TextureThick, greasy ointment
Best forExtremely dry, cracked, damaged skin; eyelid dermatitis; healing wounds
Approximate price$4–8 (by size)
FragranceFragrance free

How it works

It's worth being clear about how good this genuinely is: nothing outperforms petrolatum at sealing water into skin. It reduces water loss by over 90%. No $200 cream beats it on that measure.

Its real superpower is what it lacks. Almost every skincare reaction traces back to fragrance, preservatives, lanolin, or botanical extracts. Vaseline has none of them. That's why it's the fallback when a patient's skin is reacting to everything — there's nothing in it to react to.

This makes it the correct answer for eyelid dermatitis (where Neosporin and Aquaphor are themselves common allergens and frequently make things worse), for cracked hands, and for healing skin after a procedure.

One technique note: it has no water in it, so it doesn't hydrate on its own — it seals in water that's already there. Apply it to damp skin, or over a moisturizer. Used that way, it's remarkable.

A few dollars, available everywhere, unbeatable at its job.

Everyday habits

How to use it
  • When: Mainly at night (PM), or on problem areas any time.How much: A thin layer over the area. A little goes a long way. Steps: Apply to slightly damp skin after cleansing, or over a moisturizer. It seals water in rather than adding it. Tip: It is greasy, so most people use it overnight or to spot-treat dry patches.
Who should be careful+

It's greasy. Genuinely unpleasant under makeup. Most people use it at night, or only on problem areas.

It doesn't hydrate on its own. No water content. Apply to damp skin or over a moisturizer, or you're just sealing in dryness.

Can be too heavy for acne-prone skin on the face — though it's not truly comedogenic for most people, it can feel suffocating.

Don't use it on a fresh burn or an infected wound without medical advice.

Questions people ask+
Does it hydrate skin?Not on its own. It has no water. It seals in moisture, so apply it over damp skin or a moisturizer.
Is it safe for reactive skin?Yes. With one ingredient and no common allergens, there is essentially nothing to react to.
Can I use it on my face?Yes, but it is greasy and can feel heavy. Many people use it at night or on dry patches.
Is it good for eyelid dermatitis?It is often the right choice there, since common alternatives can themselves be allergens.
Should I use it on a fresh burn or wound?Not without medical advice on a fresh burn or an infected wound.
Full ingredient list+

Petrolatum

References+

1. Effects of petrolatum on stratum corneum structure and function (https://doi.org/10.1016/0190-9622(92)70060-s) — This clinical study on Vaseline Petroleum Jelly demonstrates that petrolatum is highly occlusive and permeates the stratum corneum interstices, supporting the claim that petrolatum seals water into skin by blocking transcutaneous water loss. 2. In vivo investigations on the penetration of various oils and their influence on the skin barrier (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0846.2011.00578.x) — In a head-to-head in vivo TEWL comparison of paraffin and vegetable oils, petrolatum produced the most effective skin occlusion, backing the claim that nothing outperforms petrolatum at reducing water loss. 3. Stratum corneum occlusion induces water transformation towards lower bonding state: a molecular level in vivo study by confocal Raman microspectroscopy (https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12653) — This in vivo Raman study shows petrolatum produces the strongest occlusion and stratum corneum swelling among tested oils, supporting the claim that petrolatum is the benchmark occlusive for retaining skin water. 4. Petrolatum: Barrier repair and antimicrobial responses underlying this "inert" moisturizer (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2015.08.013) — Characterizes petrolatum as an 'inert' moisturizer that repairs the skin barrier, supporting the claim that Vaseline works because it lacks reactive additives and is a safe fallback when skin is reacting to other products. 5. Periorbital dermatitis - a recalcitrant disease: causes and differential diagnoses (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08790.x) — This cohort study of 2,000+ patients found allergic contact dermatitis is the leading cause of eyelid/periorbital dermatitis, with fragrance mix and neomycin (the active in Neosporin) among the top allergens, supporting the claim that these common allergens drive eyelid dermatitis.