Can Vaseline Help With Eyebrow Growth?
Sparse, thinning eyebrows: it's a problem that has happened to the best of us. Thanks to the pencil-thin brow trend of the early 2000s, many are still dealing with slow brow growth after over-tweezing in the past. Aggressively removing eyebrow makeup could also cause brow thinning from too much friction. And, as GoodRx Health explains, eyebrow hair loss can also be a sign of a health condition such as an autoimmune disorder, thyroid issue, or nutritional deficiency. A visit to your doctor can rule out any medical causes of eyebrow hair loss, or help you get appropriate treatment if necessary.
Even after finding the cause of your thinning eyebrows, it can take time for them to grow back into the full and fluffy brow look that's trending these days. Some products are specially formulated to help with this process — think eyebrow serums and oils. But a secret weapon may already be hiding in your bathroom cabinet: good ol' Vaseline.
A search for "Vaseline brows" on TikTok yields countless video tutorials and reviews, with some users raving about how a humble tub of Vaseline helped grow and thicken their eyebrows. But is there any truth to this beauty hack?
The truth about Vaseline and eyebrow growth
Vaseline — or petroleum jelly — contains a combination of mineral oils and waxes that protect skin and hair while locking in moisture (per Healthline). Applying Vaseline to your eyebrows can have a similar moisturizing effect, which could potentially give brows a boost of softness. Healthline also notes that Vaseline can make brows appear fuller and thicker, and because of the waxy consistency, it can make for a great brow gel. Despite these benefits, however, Vaseline is likely not a miracle solution for eyebrow thinning.
Trichologist Isfahan Chambers-Harris explained to Byrdie, "Even though Vaseline has many beauty perks, including relieving topical skin conditions, it doesn't do much to stimulate hair growth for your eyebrows." Beauty brand Ipsy agrees though it gives a slightly different take, pointing out Vaseline's ability to heal dry or irritated skin and hair follicles. When damaged skin under the eyebrows is healed and moisturized, hair loss may be less likely. Still, Vaseline should be treated as a moisturizing brow gel more than a growth elixir.
What to know before using vaseline on brows
Still committed to trying out Vaseline on your brows? There are a few things to keep in mind. Besides not speeding up growth much, it's also important to note that Vaseline may not work for all skin types. The American Academy of Dermatology Association warns that petroleum jelly shouldn't be applied to the face if you have oily, acne-prone skin. Trichologist Isfahan Chambers-Harris also told Byrdie that while Vaseline may initially offer much-needed moisture to brows, "prolonged use can lead to blocking moisture from getting to your brows and skin, which will ultimately lead to dry brows and skin."
It's also important to skip the Vaseline when planning to wear makeup. "Be aware that applying it over brow makeup like pencils will break down the product, and using it underneath a brow product will prevent it from staying on since you've created slip," makeup artist Dani Kimiko Vincent told Ipsy.
So, final verdict? Vaseline can offer benefits to eyebrows for some people, though don't expect Lily Collins brows overnight. But while waiting for your eyebrows to grow, Vaseline's thickening, moisturizing properties can at least help you fake the look of full brows in the meantime.