Vaseline (petroleum gel) is one of the most versatile beauty and skincare products you can have in the bathroom. Unfortunately, many people don't feel comfortable using it due to the potential toxicity that comes from using a petroleum by-product. If using petroleum jelly worries you, the good news is that you can make totally natural versions at home. Whether you want to make a simple product with only 2 ingredients, a highly moisturizing version or a vegan variant, you can make Vaseline at home with ease, so you never have to buy it again.
Ingrediants
Simple Vaseline with 2 Ingredients
- 30 g of beeswax
- 120 ml of olive oil
Highly Moisturizing Vaseline
- 50 g of coconut oil
- 30 ml of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) of beeswax
- Tea tree or peppermint essential oil (optional)
Vegan Vaseline
- 1 part of organic cocoa butter in drops
- 1 part cold pressed organic sunflower oil
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Make a Simple 2 Ingredient Vaseline
Step 1. Combine beeswax and olive oil
In a small saucepan pour 30 g of beeswax and 120 ml of olive oil. There is no need to mix the ingredients, as they will not blend until the beeswax begins to melt.
- It is usually easier to use flake beeswax than in bulk. The flakes are easier to measure and tend to dissolve faster.
- Make sure you prefer yellow flake beeswax rather than white. The white flakes have undergone a refining process, so they have been stripped of many of their natural properties.
Step 2. Melt the mixture over the heat
Put the saucepan on the stove and set it to low. Let the mixture heat until the beeswax is completely dissolved. This should take approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
As the beeswax begins to melt, stir the mixture from time to time to make sure the ingredients blend well
Step 3. Pour the mixture into a container and let it cool
Once the beeswax has melted and blended with the olive oil, remove the pot from the heat. Pour the mixture carefully into a jar or glass container, then let it cool for a couple of hours. In this way it will solidify slightly and take on the same consistency as petroleum jelly.
To store the mixture, choose a container with a lid, so that dust, dirt or other residues do not end up in the petroleum jelly
Method 2 of 3: Prepare Highly Moisturizing Vaseline
Step 1. Pour the water into a pot and place a glass bowl in it
Pour some water into a large saucepan about halfway full. Then, place a glass bowl inside to cook the ingredients in a double boiler.
Step 2. Add the coconut oil and wax, then heat them until they melt
Once you have everything you need for the double boiler, place 50g of coconut oil and 2 tablespoons (30g) of beeswax in the bowl. Put the pot on the stove and heat the ingredients to a medium-low temperature until they melt completely. This should take about 5 minutes.
- The mixture will melt faster if you use beeswax flakes instead of in bulk.
- Stir the mixture occasionally during cooking to make sure the coconut oil and beeswax mix well.
Step 3. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the olive oil
After melting the coconut oil and beeswax, remove the pot from the heat. Stir the mixture to make it smooth and homogeneous. Then, stir in 30ml of olive oil and beat the ingredients until you get a creamy, yet easy to pour, blend.
If you want the petroleum jelly to have a pleasant scent, you can incorporate 2 to 3 drops of tea tree, peppermint or other essential oil by mixing it with the other ingredients
Step 4. Transfer the mixture to a container and let it cool
After you've finished whisking the mixture, carefully pour it into a jar or glass container with a lid. Let it cool for 2 to 3 hours, so it has time to solidify before you start using it.
By storing it at room temperature, homemade petroleum jelly will keep fresh for a year
Method 3 of 3: Make a Vegan Vaseline
Step 1. Mix equal parts of cocoa butter in drops and sunflower oil
To make healthy, vegan petroleum jelly, you'll need equal parts of cocoa butter droplets and cold-pressed organic sunflower oil. Adjust the doses according to the amount of petroleum jelly you want to get and pour the ingredients into a small or medium saucepan.
- To make a small amount of petroleum jelly, mix about 1 tablespoon of cocoa butter in drops and 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil.
- To make a larger amount, use about ½ cup of cocoa butter in drops and ½ cup of sunflower oil.
Step 2. Heat the mixture over low heat until it melts
Put the saucepan with the cocoa butter drops and the sunflower oil on the stove, then set the heat to low. Let the mixture heat until the cocoa butter is completely melted. This should take 5 to 10 minutes.
Occasionally stir the mixture as it dissolves to make sure the ingredients blend well
Step 3. Pour the mixture into a container and let it cool
Once the cocoa butter has melted completely, remove the pan from the heat. Carefully transfer the petroleum jelly to a glass jar or bottle and let it cool for 2 to 3 hours before using it.
Advice
- Mix some petroleum jelly with sugar to create a lip scrub.
- Rub petroleum jelly over water-resistant eyeliner and mascara for easy removal.
- Homemade Vaseline is effective as a chapped lip balm and moisturizer for particularly dry and cracked skin.
