Can this $6 drugstore staple replace your eye cream? We asked a dermatologist

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particularly during the winter season.

Instead of using an expensive eye cream, this trick caught everyone's attention right away. And we weren't the only ones: The video has gained millions of views and many people who are seeing the hack for the first time commented on it (even though many weren't surprised — as one person said, "Vaseline cures all"), and some users who stated that they were already fans of the trick themselves.

Given all the hype, we were curious - can a budget eye cream live up to a pricey one? We spoke with a dermatologist to get the facts.

Can Vaseline be used as an aftermarket skincare treatment for the eyes? | Who Might Benefit from Applying Vaseline to Their Under-Eye Area? | * May cause **irritation**: Some individuals may catch a reaction (redness, discoloration) to petroleum jelly due to allergies or sensitive skin | More hydrating creams | Meet our experts | How we chose

Can Vaseline be an effective eye cream for improving wrinkles or fine lines?

four lightening agents to treat these lines and help brighten dark circles in the area.

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Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly

Pure Petroleum Jelly

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Target

Who would benefit from applying Vaseline under their eyes?

I'm personally a fan of petrolatum, which is what Vaseline is," says Sarkar. "And I believe that applying it under the eyes is a good idea for a specific group of people - such as individuals whose skin around their eyes is extremely dry and also very sensitive, and where other eye creams may cause irritation or allergic reactions, in that case, I think it's a good option.

"For some people, in my experience, it actually does," Sarkar says.

Are you curious about using a common household product as a potential skincare solution? Before we dive into how to use Vaseline as an under-eye cream, let's explore some benefits and potential risks.

Sarkar prefers the following options from Belif: and then tops them off with a layer of petroleum jelly. While Vaseline is a well-known option on TikTok, Sarkar suggests using another 100% white petrolatum product or the CeraVe Healing Ointment instead.

Skin Revitalizing Moisturizing Cream.

This is a formulation moisturizing skin care product.

• Sephora
• Ulta
• Kohl's

Dry, Normal, Oily, Combination

Sarkar describes this light, gel-textured cream as "very hydrating." The product's manufacturer states that when applied, it instantly cools and revives the skin and is proven to increase hydration levels by 70%.

Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb

The Ultimate Moisturizing Cream

• Amazon
• Sephora
• Ulta

Dry, Normal, Combination

The brand's Moisturizing Bomb is a "thicker cream that's light and easily absorbed by the skin," Sarkar says. "I like using this in the winter or when my skin is dry."

CeraVe Healing Ointment

Healing Ointment

• Amazon
• Dermstore
• Walmart

Dry, cracked skin

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Bag Balm Skin Moisturizer

Skin Moisturizer

• Amazon
• Walmart

Dry, cracked skin

For its multiple uses in treating under-eye issues, cracked heels, dry hands, and more. "I use this daily on my lips, forehead, elbows, upper lip wrinkles, and the furrows on my eyebrows," one reviewer wrote.

Additional hydrating creams you might want to explore.

Korres Poreless Skin Cream

Santorini Grape Poreless Skin Cream

• Amazon
• Ulta
• QVC

Normal, combination, and oily

Besides making her pores less noticeable, this cream has given senior editor Jess Bender impressive moisturizing results on her face. "It's also helped even out my skin tone and kept my face well-hydrated during the drier winter months," she notes. "The application glides on smoothly and doesn't leave me feeling weighed down, either!"

Cetaphil Deep Cream-to-Foam Moisturizing Cleanser for Normal to Dry skin

Intensive Hydrating Eye Moisturizer

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Walgreens

Sensitive skin

I grabbed this cream looking for extra moisture around my eyes, but I ended up with even more benefits than I had hoped for. "Not only did my undereyes look more hydrated after just one application, but my fine lines were also harder to see after a few days – that was a huge plus," she explained. "It was great to say goodbye to dry skin and fine lines!"

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Moisturizer

Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Day/Night Moisturizer

• Amazon
• Walmart

All skin types

This product is designed to help reduce wrinkles, but its formula is also meant to provide long-lasting moisturizing benefits.

E.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream

Holy Hydration! Face Cream

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Ulta

Dry, sensitive, aging skin

This face cream is one of my favorites for my dry skin because it's really affordable," she says. "It's pretty thick, but it doesn't feel sticky or heavy. When I put it on, my skin absorbs it right away and feels instantly hydrated and moisturized.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Water Gel

Intense Hydration Hyaluronic Acid Water-Gel Moisturizer

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Ulta

Normal

One dermatologist told us that to make slugging more effective, applying a product with a humectant like hyaluronic acid before using petroleum jelly can be helpful. This top-rated moisturizer from Neutrogena, which contains hyaluronic acid, is oil-free and won't clog pores.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Moisturizing Cream

• Amazon
• Ulta
• Dermstore

Dry, Normal

This highly rated moisturizing cream, which obtains nourishment from hyaluronic acid and ceramides, is claimed to provide hydration for up to 24 hours. According to more than 119,000 Amazon reviews, it has a nearly five-star rating.

"I'll be able to go a long time without needing to make a purchase again," she says.

Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer

Replenishing and Firming Moisturizer with Bioactive Ceramides

• Sephora
• The Inkey List
• Kohl's

Dry, Normal, Combination, Oily

She's very fond of this moisturizer, which is rich in ceramides, to help combat her dry skin. "I apply it at night when my skin is particularly dry due to the cold winter air, and I can instantly feel the difference. The company evidently does thorough research on its ingredients, so I feel confident in using this product," she states.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane

Ultra Moisturizing Facial Cream with Squalane

• Kiehl's
• Sephora
• Nordstrom

Dry, Normal, Combination

This moisturizer contains squalane and Glacial Glycoprotein, which help keep your skin feeling moisturized all day long. Dr. [demonstrated by a dermatologist] noted that there is a study that supports its effectiveness in repairing the skin's natural barrier.

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

Protini Polypeptide Cream

• Ulta
• Amazon
• Sephora

Dry, Normal, Combination, Oily

She says she's been using this moisturizer for a year and loves how it doesn't make her skin, which is already oily, even oilier after she applies it.

Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream

The Dewy Skin Cream

• Sephora
• Amazon
• Tatcha

Dry, Normal

While this might be a bit of an indulgence, Garlin says this moisturizer has been a "lifesaver" for her dry skin. The manufacturer claims that the ingredients can help lock in moisture for extended periods of hydration.

She has dry skin that gets even drier during the winter, causing it to flake. She uses it mostly at night and has noticed significant hydration almost right away, and since using this product, her skin no longer flakes.

Meet our expert

• He is a board-certified dermatologist with his office in Boston, MA.

How we chose

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