Ever thought of how you can add a few tweaks here and there to make your beard better? You know something quite creative that makes your beard stand out, well I have. Recently, I had an encounter that led me to this. A friend asked me to if he could use Vaseline on beard to make his mustache shinier. Honestly, I told him I didn’t know (can’t have all the answers, can we?). Looking into whether Vaseline is good for your beard or mustache, I was able to draw some insights and I’ll be sharing them below.
Table of Contents
Vaseline on Beard: How it Works?
A brief intro here wouldn’t hurt.
Vaseline also is known as petroleum jelly, is a mixture of oils and waxes which eventually forms a semisolid jelly-like substance. It was discovered by Robert Augustus Chesebrough in 1859. Here observed that factory workers used the jelly-like substance on their wounds and burns which he eventually packaged as Vaseline.
Petroleum jelly is a petroleum by-product produced through a mixture of hydrocarbons and is quite water repellent.
The main ingredient which is petroleum which helps in sealing the skin with a water protective barrier which helps the skin heals and retains moisture. It has a wide range of uses which include protecting from minor and tackle dry skin patches.
So petroleum jelly does sound like the miracle worker huh? Let’s see.
Vaseline on Beard: Petroleum Jelly Controversy
Petroleum jelly is often used in the mass production of several cosmetic, personal care, and most recently beard care products. There has been quite a controversy with the usage or inclusion of petroleum jelly as an ingredient in making beard care products. Some argue that it should not be included at all and should be very much avoided by consumers while others take a more subtle approach towards petroleum jelly by arguing that it is good for holding wax and is a good ingredient for beard and mustache wax.
The basis of the controversy on the safety of petroleum jelly is basically whether the petroleum jelly is refined or not. As said earlier petroleum jelly is a by-product of petroleum and if unrefined has some side effects which will be subsequently discussed.
Read more about Five Benefits Of The Best Castor Oil Brand For Hair Growth
Petroleum Jelly and Your Facial Hair
Petroleum jelly is not water-soluble unlike Shea butter and beeswax and it clogs your pores. Vaseline mostly works best with the skin and less with a beard or mustache. It is quite cheap and readily available.
Vaseline locks moisture in and has the side effect of preventing natural moisture by clogging in, so in order to be safe, it is advisable to test a small quantity of petroleum jelly on your skin and see how it works before moving, if you observe any allergic reaction, kindly stop usage.
When properly refined though petroleum jelly doesn’t have any side effects unless you have a personal reaction to it but the issue is that in most countries, petroleum jelly is not properly refined which roughly means that it can be contaminated with toxic chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other harsh chemicals are not properly scrutinized.
Check out more interesting beard care products.
How do I Identify Refined Petroleum Jelly?
Identifying unrefined petroleum jelly can prove quite tricky for the uninformed mind. Unrefined petroleum jelly can contain PAHs as earlier stated. PAHs are by-products of organic material combustion, commonly stored in fats upon exposure.
Identifying refined petroleum jelly requires a complete refining history (P.S I’m saying this for the benefit of those who want to use Vaseline in making their own wax). The European Union (EU) stipulates that refining history of the petroleum jelly must be known and must sufficiently prove that it is non-carcinogenic. The US pharmacopeia stipulates purity standards for cosmetic and over the counter skin products. The USP designation usually means a product has met the required purity standards. So, when next you are picking out that petroleum jelly, check the label or the company website. It will help you know whether the product has been properly refined as white petroleum and safe to use.
Vaseline on Beard: Side Effects of Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly has different grades based on the level of refinement. And the side effects also occur due to the degree of refinement also.
There might be skin reactions to it although these are very rare, petroleum jelly does not normally pose any threat but reactions might occur as a result of a mixture of other ingredients. For example, petrolatum-based antibiotic ointments might cause an allergic skin reaction based on the ingredients in the product.
There are also the earlier discussed PAHs which might inadvertently result in cancer. But this is non-existent in most high-quality petroleum jelly products.
Some petroleum jelly products also worsen acne. So if your skin is prone to acne, look for the word ‘non-comedogenic.’ It interprets that the product will not clog pores on the label.
How to Apply Vaseline to your Beard and Moustache
Vaseline can be used in many ways on the beard or mustache. Some folks mix it with beeswax and use it to make mustache wax, but this does not preclude you from applying it on your beard or mustache directly.
You can use Vaseline normally in styling your beard but be careful to apply it in small quantities so that it can be washed off easily, but it’s quite good in the sense that it helps lock in moisture which is good for hair growth but the downside is that it might also prevent natural moisture which is why advocated for it to be used in meager quantities.
Conclusion
In summary, using Vaseline on your beard or mustache is entirely a matter of choice. Different strokes for different folks but one clear point or key takeaway. This article shows that it is mostly on the quality of petroleum jelly you use. As I always say nothing beats good nutrition, exercise, and rest in beard growth.
So that’s it, Men!! Thank you for reading my two cents on whether you can use Vaseline on your beard or mustache. Kindly drop your reviews, questions, and suggestions in the comments section. Stay scruffy
FAQ’s
How can I moisturize my beard?
To soften your beard, there are various steps that you can use. You must wash your beard regularly and apply quality beard oil to moisturize it. Beard oil consists of moisturizing and softening properties to hair. The oil also gives a shine to your hair that can last longer. There are also other beard care products like balms and waxes that you can apply to soften your facial hair. You should always make sure that your hair is clean and dry before you apply different products to moisturize your hair.
Does Vaseline increase beard growth?
There is a myth that states that Vaseline can increase beard growth, but that is not true. Vaseline is a skin protectant that is good for things like dry lips and skin. You can also apply petroleum jelly to moisturize the skin underneath the beard. However, Vaseline does not affect the growth of the beard. There are better and proven methods of growing a beard that you can use if you are struggling to grow facial hair. For instance, you need to improve your diet, keep your body hydrated, and exercise. You should also maintain stress at lower levels.
Can you remove facial hair with Vaseline?
You can use Vaseline to remove facial hair, but it works with other ingredients that include flour, raw milk, and turmeric powder. The method of using Vaseline for hair removal works in the same way as waxing, and it is a perfect way of removing hair if you have sensitive skin. Vaseline moisture is appropriate for your skin since it keeps it moisturized. The other benefit of Vaseline is that it contains healing properties that can help prevent skin injuries. Vaseline is an affordable home remedy that you can use to remove hair. However, the remedy may not be as effective as other methods like waxing.
Can Vaseline help with beard itch?
Vaseline creates a protective sheet on the skin that seals in the existing moisture. According to the manufacturers of this product, Vaseline can be used for multiple skin care uses such as helping the skin to heal, boost nail health, and relieve dry skin. Vaseline can help address the challenge of skin dryness which helps reduce beard itch. The itchiness of facial hair is usually caused by dry skin, so Vaseline can be a remedy to this challenge. However, you should use small amounts of Vaseline since it is difficult to remove from the hair.
Can Vaseline soften my beard?
Petroleum jelly or Vaseline consists of a mixture of waxes and mineral oils. It is believed that if you apply a bit of petroleum jelly to the beards or scalp can hydrate them. If your hair is feeling dry, you can use Vaseline to soften it. However, long-lasting remedies to soften the beard include a good diet, regular grooming of the beard, and keeping your body hydrated. A good diet helps to promote the quality health of your skin which is ideal for hair growth. On the other hand, drinking plenty of water helps to improve blood circulation which distributes nutrients to the hair follicles.
