How to Make Vaseline

Co-authored by Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD

Last Updated: September 17, 2022

Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is one of the most versatile beauty and skincare products you can have in your bathroom. Unfortunately, many people are uncomfortable using Vaseline because of the possibility of toxicity that comes with using a byproduct of petroleum. If you're nervous about using Vaseline, the good news is that you can whip up all-natural versions at home. Whether you want to keep it simple with just two ingredients, make a highly moisturizing version, or create a vegan option, you can easily make your own "Vaseline" so you never have to buy another tub again.

Ingredients

Simple Two-Ingredient "Vaseline"

1 ounce (28 g) beeswax
½ cup (118 ml) olive oil

Highly Moisturizing "Vaseline"

¼ cup (50 g) coconut oil
⅛ cup (30 ml) olive oil
2 tablespoons (28 g) beeswax
Tea tree or peppermint essential oil (optional)

Vegan "Vaseline"

1 part organic cocoa butter wafers
1 part organic cold-pressed sunflower oil

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preparing Simple Two-Ingredient "Vaseline"

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1
Combine the beeswax and olive oil. Add 1 ounce (28 g) of beeswax and ½ cup (118 ml) of olive oil to a small sauce pan. There’s no need to stir the ingredients because they won’t combine until the beeswax begins to melt.^{[1]
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- It’s usually easier to use beeswax pellets instead of a block. They’re easier to measure and usually melt more quickly.
- Be sure to choose yellow beeswax pellets rather than white pellets. White pellets have undergone a refining process so many of their natural properties have been stripped away.
2
Melt the mixture on the stove. Place the saucepan on the stove and turn the heat to low. Allow the mixture to heat until the beeswax melts completely, which should take approximately 5 to 10 minutes.^{[2]
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- As the beeswax starts to melt, stir the mixture occasionally to ensure that the ingredients combine fully.
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3
Pour the mixture into a container and let it cool. Once the beeswax has melted and combined with the olive oil, remove the pan from the heat. Carefully pour it into a glass jar or container, and allow it to cool for a couple of hours. That will allow the mixture to solidify slightly so it has the same texture as Vaseline.^{[3]
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- Choose a container for the mixture that has a lid so dust, dirt, and other debris don’t wind up in your "Vaseline."

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Whipping Up Highly Moisturizing "Vaseline"

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Fill a large saucepan approximately halfway with water. Next, place a glass bowl in the pan to create a double boiler.
2
Add the coconut oil and wax and heat until they melt. When you’ve set up the double boiler, add ¼ cup (50 g) of coconut oil and 2 tablespoons (28 g) of beeswax to the bowl. Place the pan on the burner, and heat on medium-low until the ingredients melt completely, which should take approximately 5 minutes.
- The mixture will melt more quickly if you use beeswax pellets rather than a block of beeswax.
- Stir the mixture periodically as it’s melting to ensure that the coconut oil and beeswax combine completely.
3
Take the pan off the heat and mix in the olive oil. Once the coconut oil and beeswax have melted, remove the pan from the heat. Stir the mixture again so it’s smooth. Next, stir in ⅛ cup (30 ml) of olive oil and whisk the ingredients until they are creamy but you can still pour them.
- If you want to give your "Vaseline" a pleasant scent, you can whisk in two to three drops of tea tree, peppermint, or another essential oil.
4
Transfer the mixture to a container and allow it to cool. When you’ve finished whisking the "Vaseline" mixture, carefully pour it into a glass jar or container with a lid. Let the "Vaseline" cool for two to three hours so it has time to solidify before you start using it.
- The homemade "Vaseline" will stay fresh at room temperature for up to a year.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Creating Vegan "Vaseline"

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1
Mix equal parts of the cocoa butter wafer and sunflower oil. To create a healthy, vegan "Vaseline," you’ll need equal parts organic cocoa butter wafers and organic cold-pressed sunflower oil. Adjust the amounts based on how large a batch of "Vaseline" you want, and add them to a small or medium saucepan.^{[4]
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- For a small batch of the "Vaseline," use approximately 1 tablespoon each of the cocoa butter wafers and the sunflower oil.
- For a larger batch of the "Vaseline," use approximately ½ cup each of the cocoa butter wafers and the sunflower oil.
2
Heat the mixture over low heat until it melts. Place the saucepan with the cocoa butter wafers and sunflower oil on the stove, and turn the heat to low. Let the mixture warm until the cocoa butter wafers melt completely, which should take 5 to 10 minutes.^{[5]
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- Stir the mixture periodically as it’s melting to ensure that the ingredients blend completely.
Once the cocoa butter wafers have melted completely, remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully transfer the "Vaseline" mixture to a glass jar or bottle, and allow it to cool for two to three hours before using.^{[6]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Can I substitute the beeswax with honey?

Community Answer

No you can't, it won't work. I know they are both from bees but they do not work the same.

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Question

Can I use candle wax instead of beeswax?

Community Answer

No, it won't have the same effects.

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Question

Is this creamy and translucent like real vaseline?

Community Answer

If you do it correctly, it should come out just like real vaseline.

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Tips

Homemade "Vaseline" works well as a lip balm for chapped lips and a moisturizer for severely dry and cracked skin.

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Helpful 2 Not Helpful 7
Mix some of the "Vaseline" with sugar to create a lip scrub.

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Rub the "Vaseline" over waterproof eyeliner and mascara to easily remove it.

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