For generations, petroleum jelly has had a permanent place in many people’s bathroom cabinets. It is inexpensive, easy to find, and remarkably versatile. From protecting dry skin to helping lock in moisture, this simple product has been used in countless beauty routines.

One popular home beauty trick involves Vaseline mixed with fresh lime or lemon ingredients, similar to the mixture shown in the image. The combination has become popular online because it is simple to prepare and uses ingredients that many people already have at home.

But does this old-fashioned beauty trick really work?

The answer requires a little explanation.

Vaseline can be genuinely useful for protecting and moisturizing dry skin, while citrus ingredients contain acids and vitamin C. However, putting citrus juice directly on the skin is not suitable for everyone and can cause irritation or increase sensitivity to sunlight.

So before trying the recipe, it’s important to understand what Vaseline actually does, what citrus can do, and how to use the combination safely.

What Is Vaseline?

Vaseline is a well-known brand of petroleum jelly.

Petroleum jelly is an occlusive substance, meaning that it forms a protective layer over the surface of the skin.

Rather than adding large amounts of water to the skin, petroleum jelly helps reduce water loss from the skin’s surface.

This is why it can be especially useful for areas that become dry or rough, such as:

• Lips
• Hands
• Elbows
• Knees
• Heels
• Cuticles
• Very dry patches of skin

Its simplicity is one of its biggest advantages.

You don’t need a complicated collection of beauty products to benefit from petroleum jelly.

Why Do People Add Lime or Lemon?

Citrus fruits such as lime and lemon contain naturally occurring acids and vitamin C.

This is one reason citrus has appeared in traditional home beauty recipes for many years.

People commonly associate lemon or lime with:

• Fresh-looking skin
• Removing surface oils
• Exfoliation
• Brightening the appearance of dull skin