My Nana Swore by This Simple Vaseline Trick—Can It Really Make Wrinkles Disappear?

My nana always kept a little jar of petroleum jelly in her bathroom.

She used it for everything: dry hands, cracked heels, chapped lips—and, according to her, fine lines and wrinkles.

Her favorite nighttime routine involved applying a small amount of Vaseline to her face before bed. Today, social media has taken that old-fashioned habit a step further, with viral recipes claiming that mixing Vaseline with two other ingredients can “erase wrinkles for good.”

But there’s an important reality check: no homemade Vaseline mixture can permanently erase wrinkles.

What petroleum jelly can do is surprisingly useful.

Why Vaseline can make skin look smoother

Petroleum jelly works primarily as an occlusive. It forms a protective layer over the skin that helps reduce moisture loss.

When skin is well hydrated, fine lines can temporarily look less noticeable and the surface can appear smoother. Dermatologists recognize petroleum jelly as an effective option for dry skin. (American Academy of Dermatology)

So Nana wasn’t completely wrong.

She just didn’t have today’s dermatology terminology.

A simple way to use it

Rather than mixing Vaseline with potentially irritating kitchen ingredients, try a simple routine:

Step 1: Wash your face gently.

Step 2: Apply your usual fragrance-free moisturizer to slightly damp skin.

Step 3: If your skin is very dry, apply a very thin layer of plain petroleum jelly over the moisturizer at night.

This helps seal in moisture.

You don’t need a thick coating. A little goes a long way.

What about mixing Vaseline with other ingredients?

You may see recipes recommending things such as lemon juice, baking soda, toothpaste, or essential oils.

I’d skip those.

Ingredients that are harmless in food or household use aren’t necessarily appropriate for facial skin. Irritation can actually make the appearance of aging more noticeable. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends stopping products that sting or burn and avoiding overly complicated anti-aging routines. (American Academy of Dermatology)

The two things that matter most for preventing wrinkles

If your goal is healthier-looking, younger-looking skin, dermatologists emphasize two basics:

Moisturizer + sunscreen.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, because UV exposure accelerates skin aging and contributes to wrinkles and age spots. (American Academy of Dermatology)

A moisturizer can also temporarily plump the skin and make fine lines less noticeable. (Mayo Clinic)

For people who want a stronger evidence-based anti-aging ingredient, dermatologists commonly recommend retinoids, although these can irritate sensitive skin and aren’t appropriate for everyone. (American Academy of Dermatology)

The truth about Nana’s remedy

Vaseline isn’t a magic wrinkle eraser.

But as an inexpensive way to protect the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss, it can have a legitimate place in a nighttime skincare routine.

So perhaps the best version of Nana’s advice is this:

Keep the Vaseline—but forget the miracle claims.

Healthy skin doesn’t require an expensive cabinet full of products. Consistency, moisturization, sun protection, and choosing ingredients with evidence behind them can go much further than a viral “secret recipe.”