Here's a confession; we're among those who always have a jar containing Vicks VapoRub with us wherever we go. Whether in our cars, at home, or even out and about running errands, we can't do without this ointment. Besides being a pain reliever, there are numerous other uses of Vicks that many aren't aware of - like an eyebrow growth serum or a DIY candle ingredient! Let's take a look.
A Moisture Sealant That Gives a Glowy Look
Most aestheticians and dermatologists won’t tell you this because it may make them redundant, but the secret to glowy, healthy and younger-looking skin lies in moisturizing. When the skin is hydrated, it looks better, without the need to use expensive cosmetic products that promise perfection yet still fail to deliver.
After cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin, apply Vicks VapoRub to your face as your top layer. This will help seal the moisture on your skin all day long, making it look radiant for hours on end.
Need Some Quick Tears?
Are you on a movie set, and the director is asking for a teary scene, but no matter how deep you dig, the tears aren’t just coming? Or you are at a café, and you’ve missed the happy hour in just a few minutes and want just a few tears to convince the waiter to serve you those cocktails. Worry no more because we got you.
Take your Vicks Ointment, dab a generous amount on your cheeks, and get ready for your Oscar-worthy teary scene. Just remember, on the cheeks and not on the eyelids. Otherwise, you won’t get to enjoy that happy hour cocktail.
Protection From Fungal Infections
One of the many uses of VapoRub is to provide cooling mist to wounds. This is what most Asians think when they apply the balm to a cut. They believe in the ‘magical’ powers of the ointment as it accelerates healing, fights fungal infections, and keeps unwanted bacteria at bay.
When you apply the balm, it will sting for a while, but then you can enjoy the cool sensation surrounding the cut and numbing the pain. We aren’t sure whether or not it can heal the wound quickly, but we're certain that the balm will distract you from the pain.
Making Your Shoes Shine Again
Don’t you miss the brilliant sheen of your shoes when you first purchased them? No matter how well you maintain them, with each use, they lose that shine little by little. You can buy yourself a shoe shiner or save some pennies by grabbing that Vicks VapoRub bottle in your home that never seems to run out.
With a piece of soft fabric, you have to spread the Vicks throughout the shoe for a glossy look. If you want, you can use a toothbrush too, which will not only give back your shoe its lost glory but also remove the stuck grime and dirt.
The Key to Making Rusty Locks Usable Again
You know how you change the locks of your house, forget to change a family member's key, and then they come home, are locked outside, so they stay at a neighbor's until you return? Not the best feeling for either of you, right?
Instead of throwing away a rusty lock that everyone has the keys to, try this instead; coat your key with a bit of Vicks and then gently insert it into the keyhole. This should lubricate the gears of your lock, making it as good as new.
An Inexpensive Solution for Stretch Marks
As natural as stretch marks are, most women don’t like the sight of these streaks on their skin. While you may not be able to make these lines disappear entirely, we have a tip for you that could help make the stretch marks less visible; Vicks VapoRub.
Apply a coat of this ointment to your skin and watch as the magic happens. The eucalyptus oil and cedar leaf oil in Vicks make for great moisturizers, improving the appearance of the skin. What more could one ask for when they have an inexpensive and easily accessible solution like this?
It Helps With Sun-Burn
At this point, it won’t be wrong to say that Vicks is the jack of all trades. Apart from doing many wonders, it can also heal sunburn in an effective way. It happens quite frequently that we make a plan to hit the beach with our friends.
We pack all the essentials to save ourselves from the Sun, yet still, our measures are not enough. The harsh rays of the Sun still penetrate through the umbrella and the thick coat of sunscreen and damage our skin by giving us sunburn. To get rid of the pain, one can easily apply Vicks on the affected area as it will help greatly.
Fighting Dandruff With Balm
You can’t explain away dandruff and hair flakes every time someone points it out. You will eventually scratch your scalp enough times to make people frown in your direction, wondering why you are being so weird.
To protect yourself from awkward social situations with a scalp full of dandruff, you need a solution that sticks. Use the Vicks VapoRub to lessen dandruff by lubricating your scalp. The balm will act as a cooling mist for a while, but it will also lock the moisture preventing flakes from making your scalp scratchy.
Substitute for Antifungal Treatment
Did you know that almost three million Americans are affected by nail fungus yearly? This infection can be quite aesthetically displeasing as it causes your nails to thicken, weaken and eventually break off. Unfortunately, picking at it won’t help a thing. Instead, it worsens the situation because discoloration sets in.
We have a simple home remedy for you if you find yourself in this predicament. Before the infected nail starts giving off an off-putting smell, rub a small amount of the Vaporub. Proven effective in a study conducted in 2011, this trick works like magic.
Control the Itch With Vicks
People who have gone through itching issues know how hard it is to manage the urge. Try as you may; no amount of diversion can help soothe the condition beyond a point. The need to scratch the affected area with your fingernails is too compelling to resist, but we all know using sharp things will only aggravate the situation.
As we know, one of the main reasons for itching is dryness. So what do we do to control the itch? Apply some Vicks to give it some moisture, and the menthol offers the inflamed skin some much-needed soothing relief even though it may sting a little. The VapoRub acts like a coolant, which is what the skin needs.
A Sole-Ful Encounter With Vicks
Do you think wearing Size 8 pumps is worth the pain and cracked heels when you are a definite Size 9? Of course, it is! At least, that’s what most women think, but the pain is not worth it if you will be waddling around your office or social event waiting to take the shoes off.
Our advice would be to let aesthetics go and embrace comfortable footwear to prevent future strains. After all, you need your feet working fine for the rest of your life! If you’ve made the mistake of wearing a size smaller, apply Vicks to the damaged area and wear socks to let it heal. Once your feet are back to normal, wear your own shoe size.
Getting Rid of Acne
Are you battling acne, and you’ve tried almost every ointment and cream to no avail? Well, here comes an affordable solution to your problem. Remember the Vicks you bought for your achy muscles? It will come through for your skin with just a few dabs on your face.
After cleansing and gently exfoliating your face, rinse, then pat it dry with a soft towel. Next, apply a thin layer of Vicks ointment all over your skin to lock in the moisture. Just do this consistently, and your friends will be gushing over your flawless, smooth skin in no time.
For Those Stubborn Bruises
Bruises are easy to acquire, especially if you are clumsy and keep hitting the bedpost or coffee table, but they can be pretty hard to get rid of. Sometimes we try hiding them with make-up, but after a while, that gets tiring.
If you notice the bruise getting tender, apply an ice pack over it, and the following day dab a generous amount of Vicks Vaporub over it, and in no time, the bruise will be gone. The ointment offers a cooling effect that speeds up blood reabsorption which promotes quick healing.
It Works As a Deodorant
It has happened many times that we are in a rush to go to that important early morning meeting and even in a hurry, we have managed to dress ourselves up appropriately. However, after a few minutes of hitting the road, we realize that we forgot one very important thing, and that is deodorant.
At that moment, the look on our faces is priceless. We are worried to the core because no one wants to step into a meeting smelling funny. So, what to do? Well if we happen to have Vicks in our bag, we are safe. Yes, Vicks works wonders as a deodorant and can save us in any such situation.
Keeping Your Pets in Check
Dogs are territorial and love to mark off their turf with their scents. They do this by first sniffing around to determine areas that haven't been touched by other pets. Then, they lay their waste on that spot and claim it as their territory. This comes naturally to them but doesn't look good on the wooden floor and certainly not inside the house.
To stop them from smearing the floor with waste, make the first move and rub the entire floor with Vicks. That way, the pet won't be able to sniff around because his sense of smell has been interrupted.
Our Solution to Migraine
Our Solution to Migraine
So, this is where Vicks VapoRub steps in to save the day. Yes, Vicks can heal migraine and other types of headaches as well. All we need is a little amount of Vicks and rub them on our temples. Massage the area a little and we will feel instant relief from the pain.
An Overnight Flu Remedy for Busy People
It's never predictable when the flu will hit you hard, causing the two halves of your brain to fight over who gets to make your life more miserable. The congestion can be exhausting, making you wonder if there is any way to get rid of this ridiculous flu in a few days.
If nothing else seems plausible, try the overnight Vicks VapoRub remedy. No, you won’t be rubbing the sticky substance on your chest or forehead. You’ll cover your feet with it, from your toes to your heels and even the ankles if you wish. Once you are sure you’ll slip if you set foot on the floor, cover both feet with socks and a comforter. Go to bed for 8 hours of sleep, and you’ll wake up feeling less dreadful the next day. At least, that’s what some people claim!
A Decent Equestrian Solution
All your years of grooming and training go down the drain as soon your horse spots a female horse he likes. After all, the primal call is hard to ignore, especially for animals who do not have social obligations. As soon as the smell hits, your horse is ready to gallop away from you towards the smell that calls him closer.
You may think you can’t do anything in this situation, but Vicks can come in handy here. All you need to do is dab a small amount under your horse’s nose and let the smell block any other that may disorient your horse. The smell may prevent your ride from using its most essential sense, but if it knows the terrain well, you’ll be good to go.
Grow Your Natural Hair - Head and Eyebrows!
When many Black women look for Vicks VapoRub, we want to know why! We found lots of tips on Youtube boasting Vick’s amazing hair growth properties. Several users post videos with awesome tips & tricks on how to use Vicks Vapor Rub. In them, they show several unknown uses for Vicks, and one of the surprising ones is about how Vicks is actually a hair-strengthening and growth agent.
They mix Vicks VapoRub, castor oil, and coconut oil and then apply the mixture to their scalp and hair (or eyebrow). Most users say that the average time to see significant hair growth is between 30 to 60 days of constant use. BUT, doctors say that the ingredients may cause allergic or irritant skin reactions. So test it first, especially when dealing with eyebrows.
Insect Repellent for Camping Trips
You must’ve been excited the last time you went on a family trip and couldn’t wait to explore nature. Unfortunately, you were too busy scratching those insect bites to feel anything other than annoyance. Surely that experience has irritated you, and you must have sworn off camping. Well, you don’t have to do that just yet.
Bring a jar of VapoRub with you on your next camping trip, and let the menthol take care of all the bloodsuckers. Dab small amounts on your neck, behind the ears, inner elbows, wrists, and knees. The smell will repel the insects away and soothe your nerves. You can also rub it on the areas with mosquito bites to relieve itching.
Smooth Zippers and A Good-Looking Jacket
Since Vicks VapoRub can be used in making candles, it can also be used in lubricating the slider and other components of your zipper. No need to be afraid of pulling the zip off the track and exposing yourself to the elements. Using this ointment helps the zipper run smoothly, gives the leather jacket an impressive appearance, and boosts one's self-confidence.
In addition, the ointment can also be used in conditioning the leather of one's jacket. Gently applying a small quantity on the surface and shining accordingly will make the leather appear new and cool. Moreover, the lovely fragrance of the conditioner is also an added advantage.
It Gets Rid Of Stubborn Lipstick
Let’s be real, whenever we go shopping for makeup, we want every product to be long-lasting, especially lipstick. It is that one product which is everyone’s essential and can make us look fresh and pretty instant. This is why it’s important to have long-lasting lipstick so that we don’t have to redo it every hour.
However, the same lipstick can become a big pain in the neck when we come home at night and have to deal with this stubborn lipstick that won’t come off. So, in this case, we can use Vicks to remove it. Just put some on the lips and leave it for a while, and it will come off easily.
A Chest Pain Reliever
It doesn’t matter how strong a person you are; chest pains are no joke- they can throw you off your game within minutes. So the next time you experience such pains, apply Vicks VapoRub on your upper chest before covering up to lock in the menthol vapors.
These vapors will provide a cooling sensation as soon as they reach your nasal passages, decongesting your chest and easing your breathing. You should start feeling better by the following day after your first application.
Pain Relief for Sore Muscles
When you lead an active lifestyle, or otherwise, sore muscles are inevitable. Pain and cramps are part of life, and if you are in the habit of reaching for over-the-counter medicine to find relief, you might want to rethink your strategy. Why resort to methods with long-term adverse effects when you can achieve better results with harmless and more effective home remedies?
Simply knead the affected areas with a generous application of Vicks, and you will soon find relief for your sore muscles. It requires a good massage to improve blood circulation, and you will soon find it easier to move the area without pain.
A Date Night Idea
Nothing says ‘romantic’ and ‘caring’ like a candle made of a muscle relaxant. If you are feeling adventurous, here’s a simple method for a DIY candle that will give your date something to talk about over dinner.
All you need is a jar of VapoRub and a piece of cotton. You’ll take the cotton piece and make it into a makeshift wick before dousing it in the balm. Drill a hole in the jar’s lid to make sure the cotton wick will stick out properly when you are ready to light the makeshift candle.
Aids in Wide Range of Motion
We have discussed many benefits of using Vicks VapoRub apart from curing a cold. One such benefit of Vicks that many people do not know about is that it can help a person achieve maximum motion. Sometimes our joints can hurt when we engage in rigorous motion, and Vicks can help with that.
People who play regular cricket or baseball can get benefitted from it the most. They have to use a lot of power to throw the ball at long distances. This can sometimes cause pain in the elbow. This is why it is important for them to carry Vicks with them as a little rub on the joint can help in pain relief.
Using Vicks to Prevent Infections
Open, untreated wounds lead to future headaches. Sometimes, we are unaware of the irritants on the skin, resorting subconsciously to scratching thes for a long time before the damage is done. Once we reach that stage of repair, there is no option but to go to the doctor and use the prescribed antibiotics to stem the inflammation.
Why waste time, money, and energy when there is a quick-fix solution right home? Cleanse the open wound on the skin before applying Vicks over the affected area. The petroleum jelly in the VapoRub keeps the germs away from the skin's surface to prevent infection.
Slimming Cream to Burn Fat
Losing weight is challenging for many, but if we say there’s an effortless method to shed some pounds and look slimmer, will you be on board? Let’s look at the recipe first, then decide if it’s worth your time. You mix equal parts of Vicks VapoRub, rubbing alcohol, baking soda, and camphor powder in a bowl.
Once you have the mixture ready, apply it to the undersides of your limbs and coat your love handles with a thin layer. The cream will produce heat that will start the fat-burning process before you know it.
A Cure for a Flu
If you’ve had a flu before, which we’re almost certain you have, we need not tell you just how uncomfortable it is not to be able to breathe normally. The chest often feels congested, making breathing such a hassle. Fret no more, though; a Vicks VapoRub is all you need next time around to ease your pain.
Rub some of this ointment onto your chest and shoulder blades. You could also apply just a bit of the Vicks under your nose, but if that doesn’t work for you, simply sniff the bottle containing the ointment every so often throughout the day to decongest your nasal mucosa.
Soothing Balm for Ringworm Infection
Ringworm afflicts the skin and scalp and is a highly contagious fungal infection, which leaves the skin scaly, red, and itchy, and you wouldn't be at peace until the condition is resolved. Since it spreads quickly from one part of the body to another if you scratch, one must be careful to prevent that from happening.
Often, the rashes on a healthy body subside on their own, but the wait can be painful. There is one home remedy to make the irritation go away. Use Vicks generously on the areas of infected areas. You will soon find relief as it works like magic to alleviate the pain.
The Pain of Chapped Lips
Do you know what makes an almost fun evening sour? Your chapped lips. Imagine you are all made-up and ready for a date with your partner, only to realize your lips are too dry and chapped. Although the layer of makeup hides it well, you’ll get distracted often and subconsciously start licking or chewing the skin.
Those who can let their lips be won’t consider it a problem until they reach home, but those hoping for the night to take a different direction will need something to protect their sensitive lip skin. When you don’t have your chapstick or petroleum jelly to smear on your lips, you should use Vicks. It’ll lubricate the skin and make you forget the dryness with its cooling effect.
Breathe In and Breathe Out
If it didn’t remind us of body aches and flu, Vicks VapoRub could have been a popular incense for aromatherapy. Believe it or not, the smell of VapoRub is not repulsive. In fact, it’s more tolerable than many people realize.
People who are open to experimenting with new aromas for their air diffuser can add a spoonful of Vicks to the device. You’ll soon breathe in the relaxing aroma of menthol and feel your senses relax with each passing minute. Another hack for Vicks is to add a spoonful in warm water and let the vapors open up your sinuses.
Silencing the Squeaky Hinges
No one likes squeaky doors. The ominous squeaking after a sudden gust of wind is enough to make you feel your house is haunted. Oiling the hinges would work, but like in a classic horror fashion, you might have run out of grease. Well, the Vicks Vapo Rub can not only cure the headache you get from such doors but also the grating squeaking of the hinges.
All you have to do is apply a generous amount of the petroleum jelly on the hinges and move it to and fro for proper application. Now, you have a perfectly silent door that doesn’t try to tell you that there’s a ghost trying to communicate with you.
Helps in Soothing the Eczema
A flared eczema is hard to control, especially in the winter. It takes so much self-restraint not to itch yourself to the bone. If your eczema decides to act up suddenly and you don’t have your prescribed ointment handy, Vicks VapoRub can give you some respite from the intense itch.
With ingredients like menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil, Vicks acts as a soothing balm for the inflamed area. Menthol has cooling properties, and along with the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities of camphor and eucalyptus oil, a small application of the petroleum jelly on the affected skin can provide instant relief.
Improves Your Humidifier's Performance
Everyone loves having a humidifier in their room. It helps your lungs breathe clearly, soothes your sinuses, and minimizes the survival of viral infections like influenza. What you might not know is that Vicks VapoRub can boost your humidifier's functioning. The Vicks VapoSteam is an excellent alternative for this purpose too.
Some of the humidifier models come with the provision of adding an aromatherapy element in the tank. Adding this household cold remedy to the aromatherapy compartment will help in decongestion. One has to, however, regularly clean the humidifier and use distilled water to prevent bacterial growth.
Aids in Hair Growth
With increasing pollution and unhealthy eating habits, hair fall problems have become quite common among men and women. It’s hard to find an appropriate remedy for your scalp when almost everything contains chemicals, and a trip to a specialist is quite expensive.
If you are one of those who are struggling with this problem, then you can give Vicks VapoRub a try. Numerous sources say applying this ointment on your scalp helps in hair growth and oil production. While this method requires consistent efforts, one must not use it every day as it might clog your pores. After application, you must wash your hair thoroughly and massage your scalp to stimulate oil production and growth.
A Good Conditioner for the Furniture
Leather furniture adds to the beauty of the living room, but maintaining them can come at a cost. This is because most leather conditioners are expensive and can only cover half of the long seat. For this reason, one may sometimes be tempted to return to the more traditional monobloc chairs which can be cleaned easily, and placing some padding over them will make them more comfortable.
VapoRub, however, can help take care of that beautiful leather furniture in the house. First, its pungent smell will keep the cats away and stop them from scratching the leather surface. Second, at only $6.19, they cost way less than most conditioners and save someone the stress of purchasing an additional fur remover.
Managing Cold Sores and Fever Blisters
Most viral infections result in cold sores or fever blisters, and even though they are self-limiting, they can still resurface now and then, causing frequent reappearance of cold sores. As much as possible, try not to pop the blister, and to help you cope with the itch, gently apply a little amount of Vicks over the affected area.
There are several dangers to popping the sore. First, doing so impairs the smoothness of your skin and exposes you to secondary infections. Second, anyone close to you is at risk of contracting these viral infections which are sometimes communicable. So, to avoid any of these sad occurrences, refrain from scratching, moisturize regularly, and apply a cold towel.
Keeping the Ticks at Bay
Scientists have proven that ticks are attracted to carbon dioxide, and the more we breathe out due to any physical exercise, the more we are susceptible to their attacks. Ticks are also attracted to the smell of sweat oozing from our skins. Therefore, to keep these annoying parasites at bay, one can simply apply Vicks on any exposed skin surfaces.
Also, lavender, peppermint, rose geranium, orange, and lemon are good alternatives that can help scare ticks away from the body. These, however, may not always be available during a hike, but a bottle of Vicks can come in handy. You can bring some along for yourself and share with a few friends too.
A Great Way to Remove Warts
Warts are more worrying than painful, but you wouldn't want those little hard bumps on your skin spoiling your good looks. If only wishing them away could get rid of those ugly and contagious bumps. Instead of searching high and low for medications to deal with warts, here is a simple solution - Vicks.
Apply a bit of the VapoRub to the affected area, and cover it with a clean, damp cloth; leave it for two minutes. Repeat this method twice a day for a couple of weeks, and you will see the texture of the skin evening out. Did we tell you the alternative is minor surgery?
Fighting the Itchy Athlete’s Foot
We always admire our athletes trying to battle it out for championship titles. Not only are they under pressure from themselves but their opponents as well. They also sweat a lot while trying to bring the trophy home, and we all know that sweat is a good breeding site for bacteria and fungi.
To keep the itchy infection away, athletes have come up with a simple hack: the Vicks ointment. It not only keeps the condition from spreading but also soothes the ache. One less thing that the athletes have to stress about.