Does Vaseline Really Help With Nail Growth? Here's The Deal

From applying cuticle oil daily, to ingesting biotin, there is no shortage of advice out there for how to naturally strengthen and lengthen your nails. Now, thanks to social media, petroleum jelly, also known as Vaseline, has entered the nail growth conversation. Most people are likely familiar with the household ingredient in skincare. Petroleum jelly acts as an occlusive on the skin, which means it creates a protective barrier and seals in moisture. It reduces water loss and shields skin from irritants, making it a useful product in our ongoing fight against dry skin and brittle nails. Because of this, many swear by it's ability to create optimal growth for nails. 

However, as much as we appreciate Vaseline, let's be clear: it can't do everything for your nails; including make them grow. But that doesn't mean that Vaseline should be booted from our hand and nail care routines. The affordable jelly works wonders on dry nails, dehydrated cuticles, and parched hands in general. If your nails are peeling, Vaseline can offer a solution. The same goes for brittle, breakable nails. So while Vaseline doesn't impact the growth of nails themselves, it does keep nails moisturized and strong, which prevents breakage. 

Even though Vaseline can't make your nails grow any faster than they naturally do, it can help protect and preserve the nail growth you already have. Daily activities cause wear and tear on nails, dehydrating them. "Dry and brittle nails are the result of too little moisture. They're most commonly caused by the repeated washing and drying of fingernails," nail technician Molly Romah told Coveteur, adding that dry climates and winter months can contribute to this too. Detergents and soaps also strip nails of their moisture. Unsurprisingly, dry and brittle nails are much more likely to break and chip, thwarting even our most devoted efforts at keeping nails long. 

This is where Vaseline comes in, and its affordability is a huge plus. Manicurist Vivian Nguyen told Well+Good that the inexpensive and simple product was her favorite for nail care. "Vaseline, or any petroleum jelly really, is what I use to keep my nails and the skin on my hands healthy," Nguyen explained. "It's the best." Nguyen said that she applies Vaseline to her cuticles and nails to keep them hydrated and healthy. 

Vaseline works wonders on nails, but since it's a thick substance, it can he heavy. So when's the ideal time to use it? Your best bet for an optimal application is to apply Vaseline to nails, cuticles, and hands at night before bed. Finish by putting on gloves or a clean pair of socks. Not only will this lock in moisture, it will also keep your household surfaces and bedding safe.

Board-certified dermatologist Dana Stern told Real Simple that Vaseline is the secret weapon of nail slugging. You've likely heard of slugging on your face, but you can apply the same wonderful benefits on your hands. Apply a moisturizer, like a cuticle oil, to your cuticles. Then seal in the product with an occlusive, such as Vaseline, to lock in and protect the hydrator. "Applying this occlusive layer seals in the cuticle oil so that it will penetrate deeper and provides a protective barrier to help prevent moisture loss," Dr. Stern told the outlet. Whether you're nail slugging or simply applying a layer of Vaseline to your cuticles and nails, you can do it as often as you want. If your nails are exceptionally dry, feel free to put Vaseline on them every night. If this feels too frequent, once or twice a week will show major results in your nail health.