Maybe you could try Unpetroleum. http://unpetroleum.com/ Made by Alba.

I would think it is better for you as it is natural and feels almost like Vaseline. I use it on my back where I get extra dry patches and itchy in the winter and it works great.

Doesn’t have a smell to it either. Certainly not as strong as Vaseline.

I agree with the vaseline solution. My sisters and I all have issues with dry skin. For the longest time, I was the only one of us that did not suffer. when I started, I asked both sisters what they did to help. The one sister uses various super-rich moisturizes, applied throughout the day, and still has an issue. The other one applies vaseline after her shower, and keeps her dry skin under control. I was disgusted by the idea of using Vaseline, but it works. The way I look at it, skin is our first defense against many infections. if my skin is cracked and dry, I lose that important barrier. Do I wish that there was a product as effective as Vaseline, without the harm to the environment? yes. Am I going to stop using something that works? not until something better comes along,

Hi Angie,

I’ve heard the spill about how awful Vaseline is for the environment. However, Vaseline is the perfect remedy for dry skin. I use it at night to moisturize my cuticles. I also use it to keep my feet in tip-top shape by rubbing it in and putting on socks. Do what works for you. In my opinion, Vaseline ROCKS!

I am so grateful for this post because since I was a teenager I have used Vaseline, but recently heard that it was not an environmentally friendly product. I don’t remember why that is so I am hoping someone in the know will comment today and inform us all.

Vaseline is a petroleum-based product. I’m sure we’ve all used it in the past, because we simply did not know of any danger.

Angie, to solve your dry skin problem forever, you could move to Florida, where the balmy weather would keep your skin soft and moist. You’d just have to use a lot of sun screen! : )

I guess we all have to learn what we can live with and without. I, for one, am not going to give up my anti-perspirant and hair dye! May die of cancer, but I’ll go out smelling sweet and looking good!

It’s always amazing how many products are developed that tease us with possible results (and ask us to open our wallets once again)!

Vaseline was used by our mothers and grandmothers. It was in the back of my mind when I recently bought a jar. It’s a simple, effective and multi-use remedy.

Sometimes we are quick to shout that something might not be “good for our environment” and yet we continue to use plastics, etc. (even in the packaging of our so called “friendly” cosmetics!) in our day to day life. We must choose our battles and in the process, we will simplify.

I have to laugh because I know my mother uses Vaseline every night on her face. I always thought she was crazy for not trying something else. After your endorsement, I now realize that as usual, she knows best (something I’ve come to recognize almost daily in my adult life). I personally don’t use it but I would be curious to know the environmental concerns in case I want to in the future. I do use jojoba oil, drink lots of water, and moisturize.

One question– do you wear all of these products during the day?

Hi – I’m new here, though I’m a long time lurker. I just wanted to point out that there are a lot of things to consider when deciding whether a particular product is “good” or not. At this website, for instance, Vaseline petroleum jelly is one of their top rated products, scoring much higher than Nivea: http://www.goodguide.com/produ.....leum-jelly

I guess everyone has to make their own decisions on what to use based on what’s important to them.

And I don’t know what I’d do without Vaseline to use on my chapped lips. Nothing else seems to work nearly as well.

Alison, I’ll give anything a bash once. Un-petroleum is next on my list. I’m curious to know whether it’s as effective as Vaseline.

Andrea and Jordan, you took the words right out of my mouth. I can be skeptical of information and the Vaseline argument is one I am skeptical of at the moment. So far I’m not convinced. Perhaps it’s a question of losing the battle, and winning the war.

Rhonda, you crack me up. Florida would definitely solve my dry skin issues, but when would I wear my boots, scarves and coats!

Patience, my late Mum and her Mum both swore by Vaseline as well. They used those products ALL the time, and they had glowing, dewy skin. Unfortunately they both died of liver cancer. But that was an Indonesian Hepatitis thing that caught up with them after WW2. I shan’t go into more detail because it’s very sad, but in my heart, for what it’s worth, I know that their cancer was not caused by using Vaseline.

Patience, I use all those products twice a day WITH sunscreen (which I only apply once). I sometimes use jojoba oil more frequently. We still have the heat on at home because it’s chilly and that really dries out your skin. Aaaargh.

One of the most intense moisturizers around is the cream nursing mother use: lansinoh lanolin. I got some for chapped nipples when I was nursing and since I couldn’t possibly use the whole tube while nursing, I just kept smearing it on any dry patch I could find..including my lips. Its great! And if its safe for a nursing infant, its just GOTTA be good…for you and the environment.

Have you tried Eucerin (the kind that comes in a white tub)? I find that it absorbs better than Vaseline (it’s thicker). The results are probably similar though.
When my toddler had dry skin, his pediatrician recommended trying Vaseline first because “no one is allergic to it.” My dermatologist also recommended it (for me). It would be impossible to avoid all petroleum products in one’s life…I don’t understand the rationale behind avoiding Vaseline in particular?

If you go to cosmeticcop dot com, her feedback on vaseline:

“petrolatum. Vaseline is pure petrolatum. For some unknown and unsubstantiated reason, petrolatum has attained a negative image in regard to skin care, despite solid research to the contrary. Topical application of petrolatum can help the skin’s outer layer recover from damage, reduce inflammation, and generally heal the skin (Source: Acta Dermato-Venereologica, November–December 2000, pages 412–415). See also mineral oil.”

and mineral oil: “mineral oil. Clear, odorless oil derived from petroleum that is widely used in cosmetics because it rarely causes allergic reactions and it cannot become a solid and clog pores. Despite mineral oil’s association with petroleum and the hype that it is bad for skin, keep in mind that petroleum is a natural ingredient derived from the earth and that once it becomes mineral oil USP (cosmetics- and pharmaceutical-grade mineral oil), it has no resemblance to the original petroleum. Cosmetics-grade mineral oil and petrolatum are considered the safest, most nonirritating moisturizing ingredients ever found (Sources: Cosmetics & Toiletries, January 2001, page 79; and Cosmetic Dermatology, September 2000, pages 44–46). Yes, they can keep air off the skin to some extent, but that’s what a good antioxidant is supposed to do; they don’t suffocate skin! Moreover, mineral oil and petrolatum are known to be efficacious in wound healing, and are also among the most effective moisturizing ingredients available (Source: Cosmetics & Toiletries, February 1998, pages 33–40).”

I use vaseline on my feet and it works wonders in keeping them soft and supple. It also helps dead skin to be easily removed.
I use it on my face to remove make-up and it is better than any high priced make-up remover on the market.
I say it if has worked this long (on past generations), to discontinue using it now is not going to save our planet, esp taking into consideration all of the other toxins and contanaments in our environment.
Rock on with it Angie!

great find Marlene!

Being a Floridian, too, I guess I struggle with Rhonda, wishing I could add more layers to my ensemble without feeling the heat, but having a much better complexion now thanks to the humidity. Awhile back up north, I was treating my Mum to something at a swank cosmetics counter (to which she never would have ventured), still struggling with my dry, sensitive skin at the time, when I asked her what she uses on her skin to moisturize it–it was so glowing. Yep, you guessed it! Vaseline! We had a good laugh!

I’d be checking on petroleum-based products. They seem to put a film on the skin making it temporarily “feel” most, but researchers have found that it does not allow the skin to breath or moisture to penetrate, thus….dehydrating the skin. I used to use mineral oil products, but have run from them now for years.
My one oil for bathing is coconut.

Vaseline does sem to be controversial (here’s a fun, informatve site I sometimes reference: http://www.thebeautybrains.com) but studies vary widely on whether ingredients are dangerous to us and planet.
Try the Un-Petroleum though cause it is a great product and less greasy!
I am glad you found something that works.

I agree with Marlene about Lansinoh. I used it while nursing and continued it afterward. It is very thick, so only a tiny amount is needed. No more chapped or dry anything!

Sigh… I also have dry facial skin, but I have an aversion to putting petroleum on my skin. I know it makes skin soft, and I’ve used it when I was younger, but I don’t like to use anything on my skin that I wouldn’t be able to ingest. It’s a tall order, but my skin, eyes and skin are healthier after switching to organic or natural products. There are a lot of products out there that have questionable ingredients, but 100% pure petroleum jelly isn’t bad for you based on this site by the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic safety database:

http://www.cosmeticdatabase.co.....d_id=48669

Notice that other products with petroleum jelly have more concerns:
http://www.cosmeticdatabase.co.....y=vaseline

Lansinoh is pretty effective stuff. Worth a go, most likely.

Also Aqhaphor by Eucerin. Similar texture to Vaseline, safe for babies, etc. I use it on everything – my exceptionally dry cuticles (read: constant hang nails!), lips, dry nose spots during colds. It’s my eye cream (very dry eye area) and I use it on my feet too. It’s great and probably worth a shot.

I was going to point you towards cosmeticscop as well, but Marlene beat me to it. If Paula Begoun says it’s safe, then I’m going with that. She backs up her claims with a lot of research and science, and I feel that between her and snopes I can really figure out what is true in this world. Vaseline isn’t bad. Neither is mineral oil. It’s just a matter of what your particular skin can handle.

THREE CHEERS for Paula Begoun, AKA The Cosmetics Cop.

I have been taking her advice since the late 1980’s when I bought her first book “Blue Eye Shadow Should Be Illegal”…still using baking soda to exfoliate my skin as she suggested way back then.

It amazes me that cosmetics companies will put an ingredient in their product, claim it works, etc…only to find out later that the ingredient loses its effectiveness if it is exposed to air – if they had put the product in a tube vs. bottle it would not have been a problem. Paula does great research and dispells many, many beauty myths.

I find Paula Begoun’s website very helpful at http://www.cosmeticscop.com
It’s a great source of information regarding skin products. You can see what the reviews are before spending your hard earned cash. She tells you what works and what doesn’t work…

She was actually on Oprah a few months ago and she gave some pretty neat beauty tips.

I can’t help you with dry skin as I have the opposite problem, but I wanted to chime in on the environmentally unfriendly part: Speaking as a green hippie type, I strongly believe everyone needs to start making smarter and more conscious choices, but if you’re not given a choice, or if the alternative is prohibitively expensive or otherwise unattainable, then you don’t have that option. Like anything else, we just have to choose our battles. I’m sure if everyone did SOMETHING–even just one thing like swapping plastic bags for reusable shopping bags–it really would have a marked impact on the planet, even if they might not be perfect in every other way. So you have this hippie’s green light to go ahead with the Vaseline if that is what works for you.

I just found Paula’s Coice products and I’m loving them. I also live in FL, but I have skin issues here. So just living in FL is not going to solve that! I have really dry skin around my mouth and chin, yet my nose is oily. I wonder if vaseline would help that area.

I have used vasaline on my face before in the summer because I have dry skin as well. Over the past several years I have used organic cocoanut oil. It is solid until you put it in your hands, then turns instantly liquid with warmth. I think all the hype from dept. store products…animal testing and all is just awful…vasaline and cocoanut oils and such are FAR cheaper and do a better job.

Angie, if it works for you, keep using it. It sounds like you have some seriously dry skin! I’m with Linda though, and would worry that it’s actually causing a vicious cycle of dehydration, like chapstick, another petroleum-based product, does.

In general I’ve always been in the “less is more” camp – but it is true as I’ve gotten older I’ve learned that richer moisturizers do make a difference. However I often can’t help wondering if the anti-aging stuff in those moisturizers isn’t dehydrating my skin, requiring more moisturizer?

Ang,
Greetings from one of your newest fans. I’ve been lurking for a couple months trying to figure out how to dress my post-menopause brand new body. (What a challenge!) I’d probably never post a reply if it wasn’t for your poor dry skin.
Evidently you already know skin health comes from the inside out. The best thing you could do is add more fats to your diet. I know, I know… That’s never going to happen. But consider consuming a bit more olive oil and perhaps natural peanut butter. Just a tiny bit might make a difference.
All these vaseline based moisturizers are poorly absorbed. They lock in moisture, but add none. After a short soak under a warm face cloth try smoothing on Cetaphil Moisturizer
http://www.cetaphil.com/Products/moisturizers.aspx

Unlike most others, it has a water base and will add moisture. On top of this add a very thin layer of something to seal it in. Vaseline is too heavy for me, I prefer this Rosebud salve
http://www.amazon.com/Rosebud-.....B0006BDRE4
But pure Jojoba is perfect as well.
Good luck with this and very big thanks for all the help you are presenting here at the web site.

Perhaps try lanolin-based products rather than petroleum (e.g. Vaseline and mineral oil)? As Linda mentions, petroleum doesn’t actually “moisturize” so much as make the skin feel moist. There’s a lanolin and almond oil moisturizer that I used to use in Boston (unfortunately its name escapes me) which worked astonishingly well for my chapped skin. Coconut oil, as others mention, also works quite well.

Rhonda: You could try natural deodorants like the salt crystal ones. It’s not an antiperspirant, so you’ll still sweat (which is natural), but it won’t smell. I’ve lived in hot, humid climates for all of my life and have had trials finding a deodorant or antiperspirant that works, and the salt crystal ones have been the only thing that keeps me from putting off foul odors.

And for hair dye, you could use various combinations of henna and indigo, but I can’t even stand that and always go for the chemicals. alas.

Angie, you may as well keep at it but keep trying other alternatives if you’re concerned about the potential environmental impact. Vaseline is too heavy for my skin and can make it freak out, but if it works for you, you may as well keep at it.

I have oily and acne-prone skin that has recently developed painful and seasonally extreme ezcema. These are the products that keep my skin looking half-human in winter: Sensaria’s toning spray, Skin Perfecting Serum, enzyme exfoliator, and sometimes lip exfoliator; L’Occitaine’s shea butter (for lips and dry patches), hand cream, and lip balm; Triamcinolone cream (prescription) or CeraVe (non-prescription), Akne-mycin (prescription moisturizing skin to treat breakouts), and Cetaphil lotion (on body). When I have a cold (I’ve had several this winter) I’m a raw, dry mess unless I use Kleenex Puffs with lotion or a soft cloth handkerchief.

So my routine involves a heck of a lot of product – and during humid weather I have to change the products so as to not get too oily while still watching out for eczema-prone areas. I’m tempted to try the oil cleansing method at the recommendation of a couple of my friends, but I fear it would make my oily areas too oily or sensitive skin break out even more.

KH – usually cracked lips and chin indicates a deficiency in B2 vitamins..I just saw it on the BBC show “You Are What You Eat”. B2 Vitamins seems to hydrate the skin.

I appreciate your comments and opinions, ladies. Thank you. It’s food for thought.

Excellent info, Marlene.

Aqhaphor and coconut oil have unfortunately not worked for my skin, but I’m happy it works for you.

MBZ, I appreciate your lovely compliment and am pleased you posted today. I eat LOTS of peanut butter and consume vast amounts of olive oil. My skin actually looks moisturized, dewy and healthy, even though I complain that it’s extremely dry. But it requires LOTS of effort in our dry climate and if I’m slack about my skin routine, it really suffers.

Kari, it sounds like you take fab care of your skin. That’s music to my ears. We only have one skin and we have to take care of it as best we can! I too have eczema prone skin which flares up when I am stressed. I seem to be on top of it for now – I hope you are too.

Angie, try jojoba oil (my personal fav as it’s super light and non-sticky), wheatgerm oil, almond oil, coconut butter or shea butter…

Angie – I second and third the reccommendations for Lansinoh. You can find it any discount retailer and most supermarkets in the baby care area. It’s not that expensive – maybe $8 for a tube that lasts for about 8 months. I started using Lansinoh years ago with my first child (nursing) and now use it for all dry and chapped skin issues. I works wonders for my daughter that has very dry skin. But because Lansinoh is very thick and you’re looking for something for your face, have you tried A&D lotion, which is petroleum based? Again, it’s intended for babies but it works wonders on dry skin. Good luck!

In my opinion, it’s just that the plant oils work slowly but surely, improving the skin condition itself, and petrolatum jelly gives a fast visual result while not really doing anything constructive. Yes, skin feels and looks less dry, but it doesn’t actually get less dry over time.

Anyway, since you’re asking for more tips, my advice is to try Dr. Hauschka skincare, namely the famous extra rich Rosencreme aka Rose Cream (not the Light edition but the thickest one). It’s not cheap but I noticed you were talking about using Clarins skincare, and it’s cheaper than that. It is meant for extremely dry skin, and it is truly extreme.

External Voyager, thanks for chiming in. I mentioned in my post that I use jojoba oil twice a day (love it), and that I’ve also tried almond oil, coconut butter and pure shea butter. Unfortunately, they haven’t worked nearly as well as Vaseline.

Lala, and the others who have mentioned Lansinoh, I’ll give it a bash.

Thanks Athena, I’ll try anything!

Angie, I am pretty careful with my skin (and because acne meds make me sunburn-prone, I mix sunscreen with moisturizer during spring/summer/early fall), but I still have to spend 10-15 minutes a day on makeup concealing scars and blemishes. The results aren’t perfect since I don’t like a completely opaque look, but it’s enough that most people are surprised when I tell them I have bad skin.
The eczema is hardly ever under control at this time of year, but I’m intrigued by the suggestions to use Lansinoh – thick, creamy moisturizer is exactly what my skin needs. If you end up trying it, I hope you’ll let us know how it works for you.
By the way, if your eczema or dry skin flares up after washing your hands, my dermatologist strongly recommended using CeraVe hand soap. You can get tiny sample bottles to carry with you to the bathroom. It wasn’t practical for me to do this at work, but I’m trying to do this at home or while traveling.

Kari, you do an excellent job because the photos that you post reveal radiant skin! Quite right, my eczema flares ups with foreign soap. It actually flared up in NYC while we were staying at the hotel. I like your suggestion of carrying soap in tiny sample bottles when I travel. Good thinking, Sherlock.

I have to say that I am Paola Begoun devotee. I have been reading her site/books for years. I really like the fact that she does all of her reviews based on SCIENTIFIC facts and research. Of course, so many people hate her when she states that scientifically none of the outrageous claims they make about their products are true. But I have been following her recommendations and choosing almost all of skin care products ( and make-up and hair products too) based on her picks. I am very pleased with them, and it doesn’t hurt at all than most of those come from drugstore in this economy.

So if she gives thumbs up to Vaseline, I’ll beleive it!

I just went to a great dermatologist and she told me about Cetaphil® Moisturizing Lotion for the face, & Cetaphil® DailyAdvanceTM Ultra Hydrating Lotion for my body, it works very very well!!!! give it a try

I have used cetaphil cleanser for dry skin for many years, and I think it is an awesome product. I love how you don’t have to wash it all off because it’s gentle enough to leave on your skin. Around the time I was turning 40 I noticed the skin around my eyes and also my face becoming much drier. A friend recommended Creme De La Mer for both my eyes and my face. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise…especially since it doesn’t come cheap!! I found that my skin was soft again and didn’t have that sallow look…it glowed!! However in these econonmic times I have had to do away with some luxury items and of course Creme De La Mer was one of the first. I have tried a lot of different moisturizers but none worked as well and the ones for my eyelids really irritated my eyes. One day I was looking at a fashion magazine and I read that some model uses aquaphor for her face and lids…swears by it. I thought what the heck I’d try it. Well it did work, my face is soft again and so are my lids and it lasts. My daytime regimen is different I use clinique for all about eyes extra rich and restorative creme by clinique. So far I am happy wiith the results, although I still believe my skin looked healthier and had a youthful glow with the La Mer product!! I am lucky I am youthful for my age, I also drink a lot of water, eat foods high in anti-oxidants and good proteins, I don’t smoke, hardly ever drink alcohol and I stay away from processed foods, sugary drinks and coffee. I do believe all of this helps. And yes I take fish oil and daily Acai (the superfood that Dr. Perricone swears by). I’m rambling so I hope this helps someone out there. If you have any questions feel free to send one my way. I would love to hear from any of you women, I’m always up for new ideas and I like to try new things if they have something to back them up. Hope all of you are having a great rest of the day…here’s to radiant skin and being fab and over 40!

I found out about petroleum jelly in an off the wall way! I had a cold, and turned to Grandma’s remedy for to help at night, medicated chest rub….on my nose, and then rubbed the rest on my neck and chest. Well after a week, my dry chicken skin on my neck and chest was as soft as a baby’s bum. So…

I started using petroleum jelly nightly, starting on my feet, using a very small amount, less then 1/2 tsp. I also went over any especially dry areas, knees, elbows, and then what was left I massaged into my hands and cuticles. I used maybe 1-2 tsps nightly. My skin is silky and I have no dry or cracked skin anywhere.

When I think about it, I used petroleum jelly on my son, he couldn’t use the usual moisture barriers, they irritated his skin and the pediatrician suggested the plain ole petroleum jelly.

Julie