Does Vaseline + Your Natural Hair=A Hot Mess or A Blessing in Disguised?

November 19, 2020
3 Comments
TLS Bosses

As a natural hair care enthusiast, I've stumbled upon several exciting and questionable natural hair trends on social media. The natural hair trend that caught my attention was when I saw people use Vaseline to define their curl patterns. When I first came across this natural hair trend, my initial reaction was that these people had lost their minds for putting Vaseline on their hair. The only memorable experience that I can remember using Vaseline is when my mom slapped it on my face before going to school as a child. But, to use it on my hair, I was flabbergasted by the idea. But, I was still too curious to ignore, and I was interested in seeing the results. So, I decided to watch YouTube videos, which led me to research whether Vaseline is suitable for natural hair? If it does help define your curl pattern?

Now, here's the tea. According to Healthline, Vaseline is a petroleum jelly, which is ultimately a mixture of mineral oils that forms a semisolid jelly-like substance. Petroleum jelly is beneficial in many ways because the leading ingredient petroleum helps to seal your skin with a water-protective barrier, helping your skin heal and retain moisture. I bet you are wondering, how does that information relate to your hair and your scalp? Here's the thing, the Vaseline technique is a hit or a miss meaning that it can positively or negatively affect your natural hair.

Advantages	Disadvantages
The protective layer it creates from the main ingredient can lock in moisture from moisturizing products.	Vaseline is not a moisturizer and washing it out can be a pain.
It can give people shiny hair for some days	It may be too heavy for thin or fine hair
Can help defines curl patterns	The main ingredient in the product, petroleum, which contains mineral oils that can clog the pore on your scalp and prevent your hair from breathing. Clogged pores are a big NO-NO for your natural hair because it prevents your natural hair from growing.
It can also protect your hair from split ends.	Minerals will compel any moisture trying to reach your strands, leading to drying out your hair and making it more prone to breaks and damages.
Vaseline works well as a styling gel to reduce frizz.	Petroleum jelly is extracted from crude oil. It is not a healthy mineral that contains any vitamins that are essential for your natural hair.

Despite all the benefits, I could not risk testing whether Vaseline works on my natural hair because I am overprotective of my hair, and I do not want to risk damaging it. But, if you are more spontaneous and curious to try it for yourself or to include petroleum in your hair routine, then, by all means, go ahead. Before you do, please, be mindful of the risk and DO YOUR RESEARCH. Note that it can benefit some, while it can be a negative experience for others.

Lastly, thank God for Black Youtubers' who share their natural hair content with us and do these kinds of trendy hair tricks so that we do not have to. We see, love, and appreciate you guys! Check out a talented beauty & lifestyle Youtuber, Queeny Kaay, who tried the Vaseline experiment on her 4C hair on her channel. Please feel free to subscribe to her channel for more relatable content.

Stay tuned for many more articles concerning natural hair and skincare.
Bye Bye for now!

Sources :

“Everything to Know About Mineral Oil, Vaseline and Hair Care” - BlackHair Kitchen

"Vaseline- Why Petroleum Based -Products Should Be Avoided" by Little Green Dot.

Comments

Posted On January 18, 2022 by Trini

I have a thick head full of natural super fine and fragile zig-zag pattern hair. Some spots are a little less zig-zag and do coil into tight spirals. Knots and rampant breakage prevented any growth retention. Anyway after months /years of fooling around with those creamy leave-in conditioners, I finally has sense enough to stop the madness. Went back to old weekly shampoo/moisturize/deep condition routine and braiding hair down with petroleum based products (Vaseline). Hair already growing out, shiny and healthy. The style I want to achieve pops off when I take braids down. Not looking back. Not wasting money no more. Granny had thick hair down her back and her daughters too (my mom and aunts) and she never used any fancy stuff marketed to us now promising hair miracles. Good enough for her. Good enough for me.
Posted On December 03, 2021 by niecy

Not everyone can use vaseline on their hair. Fortunately I can and it is absolutely wonderful. I use it only on my hair (olive oil on scalp) I am very liberal using vaseline on my hair for it soaks it up because my hair is very thick. Then I twist in about 4 large twists,take down next day and awesome curl definition. I also moisture my hair heavily with aloe vera and let dry before applying vaseline.
Posted On November 08, 2021 by Val

I’m an African American female with naturally curly/could hair. I’ve tried oils but they tend to dry and frizzy my hair. Using Vaseline or hair grease with a petroleum base makes my hair shine and less frizzy. I apply it to my hair after I wash it and it looks and feels better than oils. My hair is shiney and my coils are springy.