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Growing up in the temperate region of Nigeria (Jos, Plateau state) I knew petroleum jelly was always handy. It gave comfort and relief to my skin in harsh and cold weather. It was inexpensive and a little container of it could last months and months. The trademark name Vaseline has become synonymous with petroleum jelly, but they are not necessarily one and the same. After the lighter and more volatile components of petroleum have been boiled off, the residue obtained is petrolatum. It is an odourless, tasteless, greasy substance, and when purified can be obtained as a clear to faintly yellow liquid, known as mineral oil or a yellowish or decolourized semisolid, known as petroleum jelly or, commonly, by the trademark name Vaseline. So, you see? Vaseline is actually a brand name of this wonder substance called petroleum jelly. Besides soothing rough, dry, chapped skin and lips, do you know that you can do much more with petroleum jelly? Here are some tips that will help you save time and money. Prevent diaper rash and shampoo tears (for babies). It’s so heart breaking to hear a baby experience the pain of diaper rash. Help is just a few moments away. Petroleum jelly sets up a protective coat on the skin so the rash can heal. No more shampoo tears: rub a fair amount of petroleum jelly into your baby’s eyebrows. It acts as a protective shield against shampoo running down into his/her eyes. Moisturize your lips, and more If I am asked, when it comes to make up less is more. If you don’t want to pay a lot for an expensive lip balm, makeup remover, or even facial moisturizer, then your answer is a tube of petroleum jelly. It can soothe lips; take off foundation, eye shadow, mascara, and more. It will even act as a great moisturizer on your face. No more messy manicures and wild eyebrow hairs During home manicures, it’s hard to keep the nail polish from running over on your cuticles. Petroleum jelly can help your manicures look more professional. Dab some along the base of your nails and the sides. If polish seeps off the nail during the manicure, all you do is wipe off the petroleum jelly and the sloppy nail polish is gone. If you have runaway eyebrows — the ones where the hairs won’t lie flat but curl up instead, control the wildness with some petroleum jelly. Dab into your brows. They’ll calm down and go with the flow. Helps remove chewing gum from wood Bubble gum could be very annoying if they get stuck on the wrong parts of the house. Whenever you discover bubble gum stuck under the dining room table or behind the headboard of a bed, worry about it no further. Apply some petroleum jelly on the offending wad, rub it in until the gum starts to disintegrate, then remove. Shine patent-leather shoes You’ve got a great pair of patent-leather shoes and an exquisite bag to match. The lustre stays longer if you polish the items with petroleum jelly. Lengthen the life of perfume

vaseline — Vaseline, the most popular brand of petroleum jelly. Photo:stash.com

You’ve picked out a great scent to wear on your night out, but it’s got to last. Worry not. Swab a bit of petroleum jelly on your pulse points. Then spray on the perfume. You won’t have to worry about your perfume turning in early. Helps take out lipstick stains You having a cook-out or a lovely dinner party, tables all set with your favourite cloth napkins, but your female friends left their mark all over them. Now dotted with lipstick stains, those napkins may be headed for the trash. But try this first. Before you wash them, blot petroleum jelly on the stain. Launder as usual and hopefully you will say good-bye to the stains. Soften chapped hands Are you tired of constantly applying hand lotion to your depleted, chapped hands? You can get more work done, try this tip. Apply a liberal amount of petroleum jelly to your hands just before you go to bed. By morning, they’ll be soft and smooth. Eject wax from candlesticks Apply petroleum jelly to the insides of candle holders before you put the candles in. The wax will pop out for easy cleaning.