If you mean a DIY Vaseline mixture for a younger-looking face, the safest approach is actually to mix Vaseline with a gentle moisturizer rather than lemon, baking soda, toothpaste, or other kitchen ingredients.
Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) works mainly by sealing moisture into the skin. This can make dry skin and fine lines look temporarily smoother, but it does not remove wrinkles or reverse aging. Dermatologists specifically recommend applying petroleum jelly to damp skin for dry skin.
Simple Vaseline “plumping” routine
Ingredients
- 1 pea-sized amount of plain Vaseline/petroleum jelly
- Your usual fragrance-free facial moisturizer
How to use it
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water.
- Pat your face dry, but leave it slightly damp.
- Apply your normal moisturizer.
- Take a very small amount of Vaseline—about a pea size for the whole face.
- Warm it between your fingertips.
- Gently press a thin layer over your moisturizer, concentrating on dry areas and fine lines.
- Leave it on overnight.
- In the morning, gently cleanse your face and apply moisturizer followed by broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen.
Moisturizing can temporarily make fine lines look less noticeable because it traps water in the skin. Daily sunscreen is particularly important because UV exposure accelerates wrinkles and other signs of skin aging.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin
Don’t automatically cover your entire face with Vaseline. The American Academy of Dermatology advises people who are acne-prone to avoid using petroleum jelly on the face because it may contribute to breakouts in some people.
Avoid DIY mixtures containing lemon juice, baking soda, toothpaste, hydrogen peroxide, or undiluted essential oils. They can irritate the skin, and irritation can make the appearance of aging more noticeable.
If your goal is specifically wrinkles, sagging, dark spots, or under-eye lines, tell me which one and I can give you a more effective Vaseline-based routine.