Skincare Expert Says We’ve All Been Using Vaseline Wrong — Because We Missed An Important Step

One skincare expert has claimed that most of us aren’t using petroleum jelly properly when it comes to treating chapped lips — and that means we’re not getting the most out of the product

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Skin care specialist on why you shouldn’t use petroleum jelly on dry lips

During the cold winter months, you rightly need to put petroleum jelly or some other moisturizing product on your lips to keep them from getting dry and chapped.

And while spring is officially around the corner, we’re not quite out of the woods when it comes to chilly days – so that life-saving tub of petroleum jelly should still be within reach.

But what if we told you that you probably use yours lip balm not correct?

This is the claim of a skin care expert for tick tockwho says that most of us have missed an important step in our lip routine that could be keeping us from properly tackling the problem of chapped lips.

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Olivera posting under the username @hautpflegebyoliveraShe posted a video explaining exactly how to apply petroleum jelly — and the clip has since disappeared viral with more than 232,000 views.

The woman said that while we might be tempted to just apply the petroleum jelly, we were supposed to wet our lips with tap water before applying the lip balm.

She said: “Do you suffer from dry and chapped lips in winter? Always wet your lips before applying your lip balm. Never apply it to a dry lip. The balm then locks in the moisture.”

The trick works because petroleum jelly and other lip balm products help seal lips and prevent moisture loss, but often don’t add as much moisture to already dry lips.

By moisturizing your lips first, you have the best chance of locking in that extra moisture, thereby reducing the chance of your lips getting chapped.

After sharing her tip, Olivera answered questions from those who were unsure or skeptical about the science behind the method in the comments.

One person claimed: “It doesn’t work that way. I think dry hands should just soak. Good theory but based on nothing.”

As Olivera explained, “It would be similarly good to apply a moisturizer right after soaking to lock in some of the moisture.”

And when someone else said it’s “more efficient to just drink water,” the skincare expert said, “Unfortunately, it’s not. The water you drink goes to all your vital organs like the liver and kidneys first. Your skin is the last to get it.”

Meanwhile, other commenters thanked Olivera for sharing her tips, as some also agreed that the process definitely works since they’ve been using it for years.

One said: “Thanks for that! My lips always get cut open in winter.”

While another added, “I’ve always done this and it’s a lot better than putting balm on dry lips.”

And one medical professional agreed, writing, “As a medical esthetician, this is a great tip! Vaseline is an occlusive product that creates a seal and prevents moisture loss from the skin.”

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