The benefits of Vaseline in beauty are seemingly endless, but even still, we're constantly discovering new ways to use the affordable product in our routines. Experts say it can help lock in moisture, boost hydration and help fight signs of aging, which is why we've been known to smother it on everything from chapped lips to dry elbows — especially in the winter months.
The area around our eyes, however, was one of the few places that we hadn't tried it on. So when a TikToker posted a video saying that she applies the $5 staple under her eyes instead of using an expensive eye cream, it instantly caught our attention. And we weren't the only ones: The video has racked up millions of views and plenty of comments from people who were discovering the hack for the first time (though many weren't surprised — as one person put it, "Vaseline cures all"), and some users who added that they were fans of the trick themselves.
Given all the hype, we were curious ... can the affordable formula really stack up to an expensive eye cream? We consulted with a dermatologist to get all the details.
Best eye cream, editor-pick$undefined$13.70
Can Vaseline work as an eye cream?
The skin around your eyes is very thin, so it can be prone to dryness and sensitivity, says Dr. Papri Sarkar, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston. "One of the reasons why people use eye cream is for hydration and plumpness, because that plumpness kind of makes the lines look less visible," she says. Along with the hydrating aspect, people also tend to reach for an eye cream with ingredients like retinol or brightening agents to treat these lines and help fade dark circles in the area.
While, unfortunately, Vaseline won't do much to help erase deep-set wrinkles or brighten dark circles, Sarkar says the product can provide some of the same hydrating effects as your go-to eye cream — especially when it's paired with a moisturizing cream. "Vaseline is something that's called an occlusive," she says. "Which means that it's almost like Saran wrap. You put it down over your skin, and it adds another layer, like a barrier. And what it does is it keeps water from being able to evaporate out [of the skin] as quickly," she says. By applying a hydrating cream to your under-eye area and then following it with Vaseline, you're adding moisture to the area and then locking it in, she said — essentially, it's a targeted slugging treatment. As a result, Sakar says some people may notice added plumpness in the area and a reduced appearance in fine lines.
Who should use Vaseline on their under-eye area?
"I personally love petrolatum, in general, which is what Vaseline is," says Sarkar. "And I think that applying it under the eyes is a great idea for a certain group of people — like for people whose skin around their eyes is really dry, and is also very reactive, or sensitive, where other eye creams may cause an inflammation or anything like that, I think that it's great."
On the other hand, those who tend to develop milia (or small cysts) around their eyes, might want to skip the practice. "Although Vaseline is technically non-comedogenic, meaning that it's not supposed to clog pores, for some people, I've just found in practice that it can," Sarkar says.
How to use Vaseline as an under-eye cream
For the best results, start with a hydrating cream (Sarkar likes the options below from Belif) and then follow it with a layer of petroleum jelly. While Vaseline is a popular choice on TikTok, Sarkar notes that you can also use another 100% white petrolatum product or the CeraVe Healing Gel.
Sarkar says this light gel-textured cream is "very hydrating." According to the brand, the formula instantly cools and refreshes skin when applied and has been shown to boost hydration levels by 70%.
The brand's Moisturizing Bomb is a "thicker cream that still feels light and sinks into the skin," Sarkar says. "I prefer this in winter or when my skin is drier."
With over 41,000 ratings on Amazon, this pick from CeraVe has become "essential" according to one reviewer and a "miracle worker" for another. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and three ceramides, it's a hydrating option that can aid dry winter skin.
Much like Vaseline, this petrolatum balm went viral on TikTok for its ability to serve as an all-in-one solution for under-eyes, cracked heels, dry hands and more. "I use this daily on my lips, forehead, elbows, eye laugh lines, and mouth brow. Keeps wrinkles at bay," one reviewer wrote.
More hydrating creams to consider
In addition to minimizing the appearance of her pores, this cream has worked moisturizing wonders on the face of senior editor Jess Bender. "It’s also brought additional benefits like balancing out my skin tone and leaving my face with ample hydration during drier winter months," she says. "The application goes on so smoothly and doesn’t feel like it’s weighing me down, either!"
Contributing writer Jennifer Wirth picked this cream up hoping for a hydration boost to her eye area, but actually ended up with more skin benefits than she expected. "Not only did my under-eyes appear more hydrated after only one use, but my fine lines also became less noticeable within just a few days — it was truly a win-win," she said. "Goodbye dry skin, goodbye fine lines!"
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mary Lupo previously told us that she recommends this retinol cream for its anti-wrinkle benefits. However, according to the brand, its formula is also made to provide long-lasting moisture.
Associate editor Shannon Garlin says this affordable face cream is one of her favorites to use for her dry skin. "It's thick but doesn't feel heavy. My skin feels like it immediately drinks it up, feeling hydrated and moisturized," she says.
One dermatologist previously told us that when trying slugging, you can make the treatment even more effective by applying a product that contains a humectant, like hyaluronic acid, before Vaseline. This bestselling moisturizer from Neutrogena features hyaluronic acid and is said to be oil-free and non-comedogenic.
Another bestseller, this gentle moisturizing cream features both hyaluronic acid and ceramides and is said to provide up to 24 hours of hydration. It has an impressive, nearly five-star rating from more than 119,000 Amazon shoppers' ratings.
Associate editor Erica Marrison loves this moisturizer for her sensitive and acne-prone skin. "I use this as my face moisturizer morning and night, and it’s perfect! Plus, given that the price point is low and the container is huge, it lasts me a very long time before I need to repurchase," she says.
Former production coordinator Camryn Privette loves this ceramide-packed moisturizer to combat her dry skin. "I use this at night when my skin is feeling dry from the winter wind, and I can immediately feel a difference. The brand really does its research on ingredients, so I feel great about putting this on," she says.
This Shop TODAY Beauty Award-winner contains squalane and Glacial Glycoprotein to help your skin feel moisturized 24 hours a day. One dermatologist previously told Shop TODAY that this lightweight moisturizer is backed by a reputable study showing it helps restore the skin's barrier.
This moisturizer is formulated with peptides to help restore dry skin, leaving it feeling plumper and more youthful, the brand says. Former associate editor Sierra Hoeger says she's been using this moisturizer for a year and loves how it doesn't leave her "already oily skin even more so after application."
The brand sells a travel-size pot for $24, so you can try it before you commit to the full-size version.
While this might be a bit of a splurge, Garlin says this moisturizer has been a "lifesaver" for her dry skin. According to Tatcha, the ingredients will help seal in moisture for long-lasting hydration.
“I have dry skin, and during the winter months, it’s even drier and tends to flake," she says. "I mainly use it at night, and I notice more hydration almost immediately, and since I’ve been using this cream, my skin has stopped flaking."
Meet our expert
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on the best products for eye cream. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Papri Sarkar is a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston, MA.
How we chose
We selected these products based on insights from interviews with top dermatologists and recommendations from Shop TODAY editors. Other hydrating creams are sourced through verified shopper reviews and brand reputation.
Drmtlgy Anti-Aging Tinted Moisturizer
Drmtlgy Anti-Aging Tinted Moisturizer