What Happens If You Mix Vaseline and Coconut Oil?

Vaseline petroleum jelly mixed with coconut oil for skincare

Introduction: a curious kitchen-and-bathroom mashup

It’s one of those tidy little experiments people try when they’re hunting for easy skincare hacks: reach for the Vaseline, scoop in a spoonful of coconut oil, stir, and wonder what magic will follow.

Short answer: nothing explosive. You get a softer, more spreadable salve that blends the occlusive strength of petroleum jelly with the slip and scent of coconut oil. But there’s a bit more to the story—useful pros, small pitfalls, and some pleasantly surprising household uses.

What are we mixing?

Vaseline (petroleum jelly)

Vaseline is a trade name for petroleum jelly, a semi-solid mix of hydrocarbons refined from petroleum. It’s an occlusive: it sits on top of skin and seals in moisture rather than adding hydration.

People use it for chapped lips, minor scrapes, and to protect delicate skin. It’s chemically inert for most practical purposes—meaning it won’t react dramatically with common kitchen ingredients.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a plant-derived fat made mostly of saturated fatty acids. It smells lovely to many people, melts at warm room temperatures (around 23–26°C / 74–78°F), and adds glide and some emollient properties to skincare mixes.

It also has a high comedogenic rating compared with some oils, which means it can clog pores on acne-prone skin for some people.

The chemistry (short and friendly)

When you mix Vaseline and coconut oil there’s no dramatic chemical reaction. Both are largely nonpolar substances, so they blend physically rather than react chemically.

The coconut oil behaves like a diluent: it softens the petroleum jelly and lowers its melting feel, creating a smoother, more spreadable ointment. That change is physical—think of stirring cream into butter—rather than chemical.

What you actually get: texture, feel, and performance

Mixing them changes three main things: texture, spreadability, and melting point.

  • Softer texture: Coconut oil softens Vaseline, making a salt-of-the-lips balm that spreads more easily than straight petroleum jelly.
  • Warmer mouthfeel: Since coconut oil melts at relatively low temperatures, the mixture will feel silkier as it warms on your skin.
  • Still occlusive: The blend remains occlusive—so it still locks in moisture—but it now combines occlusion with some emollient feel from the oil.

Practical uses for the mixture

This combo isn’t just theoretically pleasant. It’s genuinely handy around the house and in your bathroom cabinet.

Lip balm and cuticle softener

One of the most popular uses is a simple lip balm—soft, spreadable, and long-lasting. People also rub it into cuticles to soften rough edges.

Dry patches and winter hands

The occlusive nature of Vaseline combined with coconut oil’s emollience makes a great overnight treatment for cracked heels, dry elbows, and chapped hands.

Makeup remover and gentle cleanser

Because it dissolves oily makeup, the mix can be used to remove stubborn mascara or lipstick. It leaves an oily film that you’ll want to follow with a mild cleanser.

DIY salves and lip tints

Want to get crafty? People often add beeswax, essential oils (carefully), or small amounts of pigments to create personalized balms. You might remember a playful DIY that even mixed Vaseline, Coke, and coconut oil to craft a flavored lip balm—an example of how these ingredients mingle in creative ways.

How to mix them safely at home

Mixing is delightfully simple. Do it gently, avoid overheating, and keep quantities small until you know a ratio you like.

Basic stovetop method

  • Use a small heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method).
  • Combine roughly 2 parts Vaseline to 1 part coconut oil to start. Melt just until combined.
  • Stir, remove from heat, and pour into small containers. Let set at room temperature.

Ratio tips

Want firmer salve? Use more Vaseline (3:1). Prefer something creamier and easier to spread? Try equal parts. If you live somewhere warm and your mixture becomes too soft, increase the Vaseline fraction.

Pros and cons — a balanced look

The perks

  • Long-lasting moisture barrier—great for very dry skin and small repairs.
  • Simple ingredients and inexpensive.
  • Customizable: add scent, beeswax, or a little vitamin E.

The downsides

  • Comedogenic risk: coconut oil may clog pores for acne-prone skin, so test first on your jawline or wrist.
  • Greasy finish: some people dislike the heavy, oily feel and the residue on fabrics.
  • Petroleum concerns: while Vaseline is generally considered safe and non-reactive, some prefer plant-only alternatives for environmental or personal reasons.

Safety notes and when to avoid it

For most adults the combination is harmless, but there are some sensible cautions.

Patch test first

Always test a small patch—especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. Apply a dime-sized amount to an inner forearm and wait 24 hours for irritation or clogging signs.

Avoid on certain skin problems

Don’t use this mix on deep, open wounds, infected areas, or stitches. For serious dermatological concerns, check with your healthcare provider.

Babies and nasal use

Be cautious using coconut oil on infants’ faces because of inhalation risks and a baby’s sensitive skin. Petroleum jelly near nostrils can be used minimally for colds, but follow pediatric guidance.

Storage, shelf life, and practical tips

Store your homemade salve in a cool, dry place. Because both ingredients are fairly shelf-stable, you’re usually looking at many months to a year of usable life if you keep things clean and dry.

Clean tools, clean product

Use sanitized spatulas and small containers to avoid introducing bacteria. Scoop with a clean spoon rather than fingers if you plan to keep the balm long-term.

Fixing a too-soft batch

If it’s too soft, remelt and add more Vaseline or a small amount of beeswax. Too firm? Gently remelt and stir in a bit more coconut oil.

Which is better: straight Vaseline, straight coconut oil, or the combo?

There’s no universal answer—each has its sweet spot.

  • Straight Vaseline: best for a strong moisture barrier and for use on raw, chapped skin where you need protection.
  • Straight coconut oil: good for light emollience and scent, but it may clog pores and isn’t as protective.
  • The combo: a compromise that gives a pleasant texture while keeping decent occlusive power.

Environmental and ethical considerations

If you’re thinking beyond the bathroom, it’s worth noting that petroleum jelly is a byproduct of fossil fuels, while coconut oil is an agricultural product with its own sustainability footprint.

Some people prefer plant-only balms for environmental reasons. If that sounds like you, consider blends of vegetable butters (like shea) and plant oils with beeswax or plant-based waxes as alternatives.

Curious readers want to know (FAQ)

Will the mixture spoil?

Not quickly. Both ingredients are fairly stable. Keep moisture, water, and fingers out of the jar to avoid contamination—then you can expect many months of use.

Can I add essential oils or pigments?

Yes, in small amounts. Use cosmetic-grade essential oils, and remember that some oils are irritating to sensitive skin. Pigments and mica powders are fine for lip products if they’re cosmetic-grade and used sparingly.

Is it safe to use on hair?

It can be used as a pre-wash treatment for very dry hair ends. Remember that it’s greasy, so you’ll need a thorough shampoo to remove residues.

Where this fits among other curious mixes

If you enjoy kitchen-and-bathroom experiments, you might like reading about other Vaseline mashups. There’s a friendly take on mixing Vaseline and honey that walks through cosmetic perks and pitfalls, and another on Vaseline and banana that explores nourishing combos for skin.

And if you’re amused by inventive lip-balm recipes, there’s even a playful post about mixing Vaseline, Coke, and coconut oil to make a flavored balm—proof that a little curiosity can yield useful results.

Parting thoughts

Mixing Vaseline and coconut oil is a gentle, practical experiment that usually produces a pleasant, useful salve. It’s not transformative chemistry—more a texture and performance tweak—but that makes it reliably handy.

Try a small batch, patch test, and see whether you prefer the heavier protection of pure petroleum jelly, the lighter feel of coconut oil, or the cozy middle ground they make together.

Quick recipe to try

  • 2 tablespoons Vaseline
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon beeswax (for extra firmness) or a drop of cosmetic-grade essential oil for scent

Warm gently in a double boiler, stir until smooth, pour into a small tin, and cool. Enjoy sparingly—and store with clean tools.

More Vaseline Experiments

Curious what else happens when you mix Vaseline with everyday ingredients? Check out these experiments: