There’s a reason petroleum jelly—often known by the brand name Vaseline—has remained a skincare staple for generations. Affordable, versatile, and effective at reducing moisture loss, petroleum jelly creates an occlusive barrier over the skin. This can help protect dry areas and keep moisture from escaping, especially when applied over a moisturizer.

But social media is also filled with Vaseline “hacks” promising everything from fading dark spots to removing wrinkles. Some ideas are useful, while others deserve more realistic expectations. Vaseline itself doesn’t bleach pigmentation, erase dark circles, or stimulate collagen production. However, by keeping dry skin moisturized, it can temporarily make fine lines appear softer and leave rough areas looking smoother. Some people also combine it with ingredients such as turmeric, vitamin E, aloe vera, honey, or oils. Before trying those mixtures, however, there are a few important things worth knowing.