Using Vaseline For Underarms- to Lighten & Help with Odor

From the time of its initial production to now, Vaseline (petroleum jelly) has been widely used in skincare for every part of your body from your face to your underarms, to your feet.

It has a wide range of benefits for the skin. But can it do anything to help with dark underarms and odor?

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Can Vaseline Lighten Dark Underarms

Vaseline itself is just petroleum jelly, which does not have bleaching properties. However, it heals and protects the skin, promoting a healthier, cleaner, and brighter look.

Vaseline can also be mixed with other ingredients that can help to lighten underarms. A few common ones are baking soda and turmeric.

Other great and quick ways to lighten dark underarms are:

How to Use Potatoes For Underarm Whitening

Salicylic Acid For Dark Underarms & Odor: What to Know

DIY & Medical Ways to Quickly Whiten Underarms Permanently

Can Vaseline Get Rid Of Underarm Odor

Vaseline does not clean the skin or stop sweating so it will not be able to get rid of underarm odor.

When put on the skin, Vaseline (petroleum jelly) will seal in moisture, but it will not get rid of sweat, dirt, dead skin cells or bacteria which all cause underarm odor.

Other more effective ways to combat armpit odor are:

Using Rose Water to Lighten Dark Armpits & For Body Odor

Using Benzoyl Peroxide For Underarm & Body Odor: A Guide

Can Vaseline Be Used As Deodorant

Vaseline cannot be used as a deodorant.

It does not stop or lessen sweating. It also does not have an odor-masking property unless you choose to use one that is scented.

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How to Get Rid of Underarm Odor & Sweating Permanently

Benefits Of Vaseline For Underarms

Vaseline (petroleum jelly) in the skincare industry is renowned because it:

1- Acts as an occlusive skin barrier

Even though people refer to Vaseline as a moisturizer, it is not entirely true. The skin has a hard time absorbing petroleum jelly. Instead, it forms a protective barrier over the skin to lock moisture in and prevent dirt and other environmental irritants from penetrating the skin.

2- Prevents chafing

Skin can sometimes rub against itself or against clothes in the most uncomfortable way. This can cause chafing which can also cause the skin to get irritated, dark, dry, or even cracked. Petroleum jelly keeps the skin soft. If the skin of the underarms does rub together, the petroleum jelly will prevent too much friction.

3- Aids skin healing

There is an ongoing debate about whether petroleum jelly aids or slows down skin healing. Most skincare professionals and the general public believe it does the former.

Vaseline forms a protective barrier over the skin that prevents moisture loss and protects the skin from pollutants, irritants, and possible infections.

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4- Soothes irritation

Petroleum jelly soothes the skin and prevents worsening irritation. It keeps the skin moist and soft which also prevents peeling.

5- Helps Eczema

According to the National Eczema Association, people with eczema can use petroleum jelly, preferably Vaseline Jelly Original.

Petroleum jelly will help dry skin and act as a barrier between irritants in the environment and skin that has been inflamed by eczema. It can also be used to seal in topical treatments after application, enhancing their potency.

Side Effects Of Using Vaseline For Underarms

Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is generally well tolerated by the majority of people. The major concern is pore-blocking.

If you are acne-prone or have easily blocked pores, Vaseline might not be good for you. It is occlusive and rather thick so it can clog up your pores. This can worsen acne or cause a flare-up.

As always, I recommend that you patch-test before you apply Vaseline to your whole underarm area. Even though this ingredient is rather versatile, you should still test your skin first.

Also, always use refined petroleum jelly from a reputable source. Vaseline® is a long-trusted company (so much so that we call petroleum jelly Vaseline now!). Unrefined petroleum jelly may have some harmful contaminants that are filtered out during the refining process.

For a nice deodorant I highly recommend Lume, click here to learn more.

Now for some great deodorants that can actually help to lighten dark armpits check out:

Dove Even Tone Deodorant Review- Does It Work & Is It Safe

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I put Vaseline on my armpit after shaving?

Yes, you can put Vaseline on your armpits after shaving.

Shaving removes the top layer of the skin along with the hair. This will cause some amount of trauma to the skin. Applying a thin layer of Vaseline over the area will seal in moisture, soothe the skin, prevent irritation and protect the skin from further damage.

Can I use Vaseline on my underarms every day?

You can use Vaseline on your underarms as often as you like.

Unless you are acne-prone, Vaseline is a great everyday skin softener and protectant. You can apply it like you would a moisturizer after each bath or whenever you feel it is necessary. You can leave it on overnight as well.

Will Vaseline cause ingrown hairs on my armpits?

Vaseline can potentially block your pores, which can cause ingrown hairs, but this rarely happens.

If you are acne-prone then you should skip the Vaseline on your armpits. However, if you are not acne-prone and still want to use Vaseline the key is to use a little and to exfoliate!

Keep your skin as clean as possible before applying Vaseline. This will prevent your pores from easily clogging with Vaseline and other debris from the skin.

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Sources:

6 uses and benefits of petroleum jelly

Petroleum Jelly: Uses, Benefits, Dangers, and More

15 Mind-Blowing Vaseline Uses You Never Knew About (Until Now)

5 ways to use petroleum jelly for skin care

Vaseline® Healing Jelly