We’ve all been there.
You open the medicine cabinet with the intent to shave only to find that there isn’t any shaving cream.
While you could try just lathering up your head with some soapy water, you’re probably not going to get as smooth a cut that way. That’s when you see the small jar of Vaseline.
It’d be a lie to say that most of us, while probably never doing it before, haven’t at least considered smearing some good ole petroleum jelly on our heads as a stand-in for shaving cream.
After all, if the point is to get a close shave with little resistance, there aren’t a lot of things that feel smoother than Vaseline.
But is it good for your skin?
Below, we’ll take a look and determine if shaving with Vaseline is a fool’s errand or if you can save money not buying those huge cans of shaving cream.
Table of Contents
Should You Use Vaseline As a Shaving Cream?
The answer is a resounding no. Vaseline has a lot of great functions and can be used for a lot of different things (even in the shaving process). However, one of the areas that it is least useful, is as a form of shaving cream.
The reason for this is that Vaseline is a petroleum jelly that, despite what its oily texture may have you believe, does not lubricate well.
Instead, it will almost immediately “gunk up” your razor, increasing the chance of cutting yourself while reducing your ability to properly cut the hairs.
In most cases, the process will be needlessly frustrating, as Vaseline is not water-soluble, meaning running it underwater won’t do much to remove anything.
If you need to shave and don’t have any actual shaving cream, rather than waste your time using Vaseline, just run some soapy water over your head and use that.
Can I use Vaseline to Shave My Nether Hair?
The answer is that it depends. Before you use any skincare product on your skin, the first thing you should check is your skin type.
If you have sensitive skin, you’ll have to be extremely careful with your skin.
The products you’ll be able to use will also be very limited. One of the questions we see others asking is if they can use Vaseline to shave nether hair.
Although you can shave your public hair, that area is very sensitive.
So, even with aftershave, you can easily irritate the area. Now, Vaseline isn’t an aftershave, which means it might be too potent for the area. The best option you have is an aftershave or don’t use Vaseline.
What Other Options Do I Have Aside Vaseline?
There are many other shaving cream alternatives you can delve into. You can use lotion, aloe gel, olive oil, soap, baby oil, etc. It’s important to note that all of these have their advantages and disadvantages.
It’s your duty to confirm before using any of them. That’s to say you’re safer staying with a cream. And only as a last resort should you resolve to all these alternatives.
Does Vaseline Help After Shaving?
Yes, Vaseline can help soothe the shaved area. It also has moisturizing properties that can help replenish and hydrate your skin. Most importantly, it can add protective layers to the skin so it’s not invaded by germs.
If you have pesky ingrown hairs or some painful burns, you can try petroleum gelly. It should also help with cuts and nicks from your shaving too.
Using Vaseline As An After Shave
Interestingly enough, while using Vaseline as shaving cream is ill-advised, the same is not true for using it as an aftershave.
While you’ll want to not use a ton of it, you can get away with a small amount for either side of the head. Not only will this reduce any chances of razor burns, but it will also help out with any potential ingrown hairs.
Conclusion
As you can see, when it comes to shaving, you’re not just talking about one area of the skin. Your head, armpits, legs, and chest are all areas that need shaving every once in a while.
At least if you like manscaping.
Vaseline is a good alternative if you can’t lay your hand on a cream.
Up Next: Can You Shave With Just Water?