An Inexpensive Way to Treat Winter-Battered Skin

Even the most ardent moisturizers among us are struggling to keep their skin from cracking open. 

Winter in the Mid-Atlantic has always posed a significant threat to the health of our skin, but this year’s constant whipping winds and bitter cold have trounced many of the tried-and-true therapies we’ve come to depend on to see us through to spring. So, what now?

The answer is likely to surprise you because it’s been sitting in plain sight all this time.

Petroleum Jelly. 

You probably have a jar of it in your medicine cabinet already. Why? Because it’s inexpensive and uniquely versatile. (More on the versatility part in a moment.) And yet, as your skin tightened and cracked, you probably looked to Google for suggestions, a search that inevitably yielded lots and lots of far more expensive options.

Your reasoning may have gone something like this (if the jar of petroleum jelly even occurred to you at all): Sure, it’s good in a pinch, but I need something specially formulated for dry skin that won’t quit.

It’s a totally understandable thought. We’ve arrived at a place where we see a product – especially in the skincare realm – and equate impressive marketing and a steep price with effectiveness. Petroleum jelly has neither, so it gets pushed to the back of our thoughts, or out of them altogether.

But the reality is that petroleum jelly is every bit as effective, if not more, than the most expensive hand creams out there. It can be used elsewhere too, including your lips and eyelids, which are particularly vulnerable during the winter because the skin on your eyelids is the thinnest on the body. (Just avoid using it anywhere else on your face because it can cause breakouts in some people.)

For the best results, apply it while your skin is still damp.

Not a fan of petroleum jelly? No problem. Seek out an ointment or cream – because they’re more effective and less irritating than lotions – with one or more of these widely-used ingredients:

• Jojoba oil
• Glycerin
• Dimethicone
• Hyaluronic acid
• Lactic acid
• Shea butter
• Lanolin
• Mineral oil

The solution to many common skin issues

While you’ve got that jar of petroleum jelly out, here are some other ways to put it to use:

Wound healer. When a scab forms, a cut, scrape, or scratch will take longer to heal. But if you keep it moist, it won’t dry out and a scab won’t form. Petroleum jelly will help with that. It’ll also prevent a scar from getting too large, deep, or itchy. Even more, as long as you clean your wound every day, you can skip the antibacterial ointment.

Diaper rash treatment. Apply a little petroleum jelly to the rash during each diaper change and the rash should clear up in three to four days. If it doesn’t go away, see a board-certified dermatologist.

Nail fortifier. A little petroleum jelly, applied to your nails and cuticles between manicures and pedicures, will rehydrate your nails and prevent them from chipping. Do it while they’re still damp for the best results.

Chafing shield. Constant chafing, either from skin-to-skin contact or body parts rubbing against clothing, can lead to painful blisters. Rub some petroleum jelly on the problem areas and it will soothe any existing irritation and squash future friction.

While petroleum jelly helps in a lot of different scenarios, it’s not a cure-all. If you’re struggling to treat any type of skin irritation or condition, see a dermatologist.