The benefits of Vaseline in beauty are seemingly endless, but even still, we're constantly discovering new ways to use the affordable product in our routines. Experts say it can help lock in moisture, boost hydration and help fight signs of aging, which is why we've been known to smother it on everything from chapped lips to dry elbows — especially in the winter months.
Can Vaseline work as an eye cream? | Who should use Vaseline on their under-eye area? | How to use Vaseline as an under-eye cream? | More hydrating creams | Meet our experts | How we chose
The area around our eyes, however, was one of the few places that we hadn't tried it on. So when a TikToker posted a video early last year saying that she applies the $5 staple under her eyes instead of using an expensive eye cream, it instantly caught our attention. And we weren't the only ones: The video has racked up more than 3.8 million views and plenty of comments from people who were discovering the hack for the first time (though many weren't surprised — as one person put it, "Vaseline cures all"), and some users who added that they were fans of the trick themselves.
Given all the hype, we were curious ... can the affordable formula really stack up to an expensive eye cream? We consulted with a dermatologist to get all the details.
Can Vaseline work as an eye cream?
The skin around your eyes is very thin, so it can be prone to dryness and sensitivity, says Dr. Papri Sakar, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston. "One of the reasons why people use eye cream is for hydration and plumpness, because that plumpness kind of makes the lines look less visible," she says. Along with the hydrating aspect, people also tend to reach for an eye cream with ingredients like retinol or brightening agents to treat these lines and help fade dark circles in the area.
While, unfortunately, Vaseline won't do much to help erase deep-set wrinkles or brighten dark circles, Sakar says the product can provide some of the same hydrating effects as your go-to eye cream — especially when it's paired with a moisturizing cream. "Vaseline is something that's called an occlusive," she says. "Which means that it's almost like Saran wrap. You put it down over your skin, and it adds another layer, like a barrier. And what it does is it keeps water from being able to evaporate out [of the skin] as quickly," she says. By applying a hydrating cream to your under-eye area and then following it with Vaseline, you're adding moisture to the area and then locking it in, she said — essentially, it's a targeted slugging treatment. As a result, Sakar says some people may notice added plumpness in the area and a reduced appearance in fine lines.
Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly
Who should use Vaseline on their under-eye area?
"I personally love petrolatum, in general, which is what Vaseline is," says Sakar. "And I think that applying it under the eyes is a great idea for a certain group of people — like for people whose skin around their eyes is really dry, and is also very reactive, or sensitive, where other eye creams may cause an inflammation or anything like that, I think that it's great."
On the other hand, those who tend to develop milia (or small cysts) around their eyes, might want to skip the practice. "Although Vaseline is technically non-comedogenic, meaning that it's not supposed to clog pores, for some people, I've just found in practice that it can," Sakar says.
How to use Vaseline as an under-eye cream
For the best results, start with a hydrating cream (Sakar likes the below options from Belif) and then follow it with a layer of petroleum jelly. While Vaseline is a popular choice on TikTok, Sakar notes that you can also use another 100 percent white petrolatum product or the CeraVe Healing Gel.
Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, Squalane | Skin type: Dry, Normal, Oily, Combination
Sakar says this light gel-textured cream is "very hydrating." According to the brand, the formula instantly cools and refreshes skin when applied and has been shown to boost hydration levels by 70 percent.
Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb
Ingredients: Peptide, Ceramide, Squalane | Skin type: Dry, Normal, Combination
The brand's Moisturizing Bomb is a "thicker cream that still feels light and sinks into the skin," Sakar says. "I prefer this in winter or when my skin is drier."
CeraVe Healing Ointment
Ingredients: Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid | Skin type: Dry, cracked skin
With over 16,000 five-star ratings, this pick from CeraVe has become "essential" according to one reviewer and a "miracle worker" for another. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and three ceramides, it's a hydrating option that can aid dry winter skin.
Bag Balm
Ingredients: Petrolatum, Lanolin | Skin type: Dry, cracked skin
Much like Vaseline, this petrolatum balm went viral on TikTok for its ability to serve as an all-in-one solution for under-eyes, cracked heels, dry hands and more. "I use this daily on my lips, forehead, elbows, eye laugh lines, and mouth brow. Keeps wrinkles at bay," one reviewer wrote.
More hydrating creams to consider
E.l.f. Skin Holy Hydration! Face Cream
Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Peptides | Skin type: Dry, sensitive, aging skin
Associate editor Shannon Garlin says this affordable face cream is one of her favorites to use for her dry skin. "It's thick but doesn't feel heavy. My skin feels like it immediately drinks it up, feeling hydrated and moisturized," she says.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Water Gel
Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin | Skin type: Normal
One dermatologist previously told us that when trying slugging, you can make the treatment even more effective by applying a product that contains a humectant, like hyaluronic acid, before Vaseline. This bestselling moisturizer from Neutrogena features hyaluronic acid and is said to be oil-free and non-comedogenic.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Ingredients: Petrolatum, Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid | Skin type: Dry, Normal
Another bestseller, this gentle moisturizing cream features both hyaluronic acid and ceramides and is said to provide up to 24 hours of hydration. It has an impressive nearly five-star rating from more than 109,000 shoppers' ratings.
Editorial assistant Erica Marrison loves this moisturizer for her sensitive and acne-prone skin. "I use this as my face moisturizer morning and night and it’s perfect! Plus, given that the price point is low and the container is huge, it lasts me a very long time before I need to repurchase," she says.
The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer
Ingredients: Petrolatum, Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid | Skin type: Dry, Normal, Combination, Oily
Production coordinator Camryn Privette loves this ceramide-packed moisturizer to combat her dry skin. "I use this at night when my skin is feeling dry from the winter wind and I can immediately feel a difference. The brand really does its research on ingredients so I feel great about putting this on," she says.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane
Ingredients: Squalane, Ceramides, Glacial Glycoprotein | Skin type: Dry, Normal, Combination
This Shop TODAY Beauty Award-winner contains squalane and Glacial Glycoprotein to help your skin feel moisturized 24 hours a day. One dermatologist previously told Shop TODAY that this lightweight moisturizer has a reputable study behind it for proven results to restore the skin's barrier.
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
Ingredients: Peptides, Glycerin, Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract (B Vitamins) | Skin type: Dry, Normal, Combination, Oily
This moisturizer is formulated with peptides to help restore dry skin, leaving it feeling more plump and youthful, says the brand. Associate editor Sierra Hoeger says she's been using this moisturizer for a year and loves how it doesn't leave her "already oily skin even more so after application."
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
Ingredients: Japanese Purple Rice, Hyaluronic Acid, Red Algae| Skin type: Dry, Normal
While this might be a bit of a splurge, Garlin says this moisturizer has been a "lifesaver" for her dry skin. The brand says the ingredients can help seal in moisture for long-lasting hydration.
“I have dry skin and during the winter months, it’s even dryer and tends to flake," she says. "I mainly use it at night and I notice more hydration almost immediately, and since I’ve been using this cream, my skin has stopped flaking."
Meet our expert
- Dr. Papri Sarkar is a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston, MA.
How we chose
We selected these products based on insights from interviews with top dermatologists, and recommendations from Shop TODAY editors. Other hydrating creams are sourced through verified shopper reviews and brand reputation.