Korean Vaseline Skincare: 10 Ways Koreans Use Vaseline
Ever since the Vaseline girl on TikTok (Min Day Lee, @mindaylee_), Korean Vaseline skincare has become a worldwide craze. People are already using Vaseline in so many ways. They put it on dry elbows and heels, and before hair removal. Some also apply a small amount to wrinkle-prone areas like around the eyes or the neck.
The Vaseline hacks I’m sharing today aren’t those obvious ones. I’m going to show you how Koreans, who are famous for their glow skin, use Vaseline in their at-home skincare. I’ll give you the exact ratios in Vaseline skincare combos and walk you through exactly how to use each one.
The Truth About Vaseline
- Vaseline is not recommended for oily skin.
- Caution: If you’re using it on your face, check that the ingredient label says 100% petrolatum. That means it has been refined more times. Only Vaseline with these words on it is safe to put on your face and lips, like the Vaseline Original Healing Jelly.
- Vaseline doesn’t give your skin moisture. It puts a protective layer of oil over the skin’s surface and works like a coating that keeps your existing moisture from evaporating.
How Koreans Use Vaseline: 10 Hacks for Glowy Glass Skin
1. Moisture Bomb Cream
This Korean Vaseline skincare combo is my favorite. The Bepanthen ointment and Vaseline combo. The main ingredient in Bepanthen ointment is dexpanthenol (provitamin B5), which helps skin regenerate and heal wounds, and Vaseline keeps moisture in. That’s why Koreans apply a moisturizing cream like Bepanthen ointment on their face and then layer a thin coat of Vaseline on top. It boosts skin regeneration and moisturizing.
Blonde Kimchi Tip👱🏼♀️🥬
You can swap Bepanthen ointment for the moisturizer you’re already using. Can’t find Bepanthen in the US? Try a Bepanthen-style nappy care ointment instead.
2. Glass Skin Glow
How Koreans use Vaseline to make glow skin? Lightly pat it onto the bridge of your nose, your forehead (T-zone), and the tops of your cheekbones for a naturally glowy look. In Korea, we call this kind of skin mulgwang skin (water-glow skin).
Blonde Kimchi Tip👱🏼♀️🥬
When your makeup looks cakey, spread Vaseline on your palms as the very last step of your makeup and gently press it onto your face. Your skin looks dewy and your makeup stops looking cakey. Want it mess-free? The Vaseline Cocoa Shimmer Jelly Stick glides right onto your cheekbones.
3. Blackhead Remover
Apply Vaseline on your nose, cover it with plastic wrap, and place a steamed towel on top for 15 minutes. Gently rub with a cotton swab to remove the blackheads.
4. Retinol Slugging Vaseline Skincare Combo
Retinol is known for boosting cell turnover. Apply retinol on your face, then cover it with a thin layer of Vaseline. It keeps moisture from evaporating, so you get even more hydration and better absorption. Lots of people in their 30s and up are all about this retinol + Vaseline combo right now.
Celimax Retinal on Amazon💛
Blonde Kimchi Tip👱🏼♀️🥬
Because it contains retinol, only use it at night, and always wear sunscreen the next day.
5. Vaseline Lip Mask
How Koreans use Vasline for lips? Put a thick layer of Vaseline on your lips and leave it for 10 minutes to soften the dead skin. Use a Y-shaped floss pick to gently remove the softened flakes. Then apply lip balm, and you’ll have smooth, flake-free lips even in dry weather.
Blonde Kimchi Tip👱🏼♀️🥬
For the lip balm step, the Vaseline Lip Therapy Original stick is easy to carry, and Rosy Lips gives you a hint of color.
6. Salt Body Scrub
This Korean Vaseline skincare went viral as a sauna scrub recipe. Mix Vaseline and fine salt at a 2:1 ratio, add a little jojoba oil, and you’ve got a Vaseline body scrub. Apply it to your arms or legs and rinse it off. A little of Vaseline’s oil stays on your skin, so it feels soft and smooth.
Blonde Kimchi Tip👱🏼♀️🥬
For body scrubs, you can also use the Vaseline Cocoa Butter Healing Jelly instead of the original.
7. Vaseline Sugar Scrub
This sweet vaseline skincare combo is really easy to make! Mix Vaseline and fine sugar at a 1:1 ratio and use it as a body scrub.
Blonde Kimchi Tip👱🏼♀️🥬
Put it on your lips and wipe it off, and it doubles as a lip scrub for flaky lips. Seal it in afterwards with the Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter mini.
8. Honey + Vaseline Mask (Kkul-seline Mask)
How Koreans use Vaseline for face masks? Honey has antioxidants, and Vaseline holds moisture in so it doesn’t evaporate. That’s how the kkul-seline (honey + Vaseline) mask was born. Mix Vaseline and honey 1:1, apply it to your face, and wash it off after 15 minutes. A mask bowl and brush set makes mixing and spreading so much easier.
Blonde Kimchi Tip👱🏼♀️🥬
It leaves a slippery feeling behind, so I recommend washing your face with a foam cleanser.
9. Anti-Aging Moisturizer Hack
This Korean Vaseline skincare is for anti aging and also moisturizer. If you’re in your 30s and worried about wrinkles, you’ll love this moisturizer recipe. Social media says to mix Vaseline and aloe vera gel 1:1 and apply it to your face. But many pharmacists say to apply the aloe vera gel first to hydrate, then apply Vaseline. You’ll feel so much more hydrated, with just the right amount of oil.
10. Anti-Aging and Brightening Wash-Off Mask
This Korean Vaseline skincare combo is for anti aging and brightening. How Koreans use Vaseline here? Microwave Vaseline for about 20 seconds, then mix Vaseline and lemon juice at a 2:1 ratio. Check the temperature, and once it’s not too hot, spread it evenly over your face. Rinse with lukewarm water after 15 minutes.
Blonde Kimchi Tip👱🏼♀️🥬
It leaves a slippery feeling behind, so I recommend washing your face with a foam cleanser. Be sure to wear sunscreen on the day of the mask and the next day too.
Jennie’s Vaseline Body Lotion (and the US Swap)
BLACKPINK’s Jennie is the face of Vaseline Korea, and the Gluta-Hya body lotion she promotes is everywhere in Seoul right now. It isn’t sold in the US yet, so if you want that same soft, glowy body skin, this is the one I’d grab instead: Vaseline Pro VitaB3 Serum Burst Lotion.
FAQ: How Koreans Use Vaseline
Glow From the Inside, Too
Vaseline protects your skin from the outside. But what if your best skincare isn’t in your bathroom, but in your kitchen? I put together a 7-day meal plan with the Korean home recipes that gave me the best skin of my life. No supplements, no injections, just real food.
