DIY Easy Vaseline Copycat Recipe
Tired of using store-bought petroleum jelly that’s loaded with synthetic ingredients? This DIY easy Vaseline copycat recipe offers a natural alternative that’s gentle on your skin and easy to make. It uses only 3 ingredients, plus optional essential oils for extra healing benefits and some aromatherapy scent.
I love using this on my lips as an overnight healing moisturizer. It’s also great on dry heels.
Whether you’re dealing with dry patches, cracked lips, or looking for a multi-purpose moisturizer, you’re going to love this simple moisturizer.
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Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not  information is not medical advice and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult your doctor before using essential oils.
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Why This Homemade Vaseline Is Worth Making
This DIY recipe is more than just a replacement for store-bought vaseline—it’s a better, healthier, and more versatile alternative. Here’s why you’ll love it:
All-Natural and Safe Ingredients
This homemade vaseline is crafted with pure, natural ingredients, making it gentle on your skin and free from petroleum or synthetic additives. It’s ideal for those who prefer clean beauty products or have sensitive skin that reacts to harsh chemicals. You’ll love how this simple recipe delivers the same benefits as commercial options while being kinder to your skin.
Deeply Moisturizing
The rich blend of coconut oil and olive oil provides deep hydration that lasts for hours. These oils help soften dry patches and create a smooth, nourished feel on your skin. It’s perfect for tackling dryness caused by winter weather, air conditioning, or frequent handwashing, leaving your skin feeling soft and healthy.
Customizable
One of the best parts of this recipe is how flexible it is. You can switch out the carrier oils to suit your skin’s needs or add a few drops of essential oils for a soothing scent.
For example, lavender oil can create a calming aroma, while peppermint oil adds a refreshing touch.
Prefer unscented? Simply skip the essential oils, and you’ll still have an effective and luxurious product.
Versatile Uses
This homemade vaseline isn’t limited to one purpose. Use it to soothe dry skin, heal cracked heels, or soften chapped lips. It’s also a fantastic cuticle balm, an effective natural makeup remover, or even a soothing treatment for minor scrapes and cuts. Its multipurpose nature makes it a great addition to any skincare routine.
Non-Greasy Finish
Unlike petroleum-based products that can leave a sticky or greasy residue, this homemade version absorbs into your skin beautifully. It leaves your skin feeling nourished and protected without that heavy, oily feeling, making it a joy to use daily.
Kid and Baby-Friendly
Thanks to its gentle, chemical-free formula, this DIY vaseline is safe for delicate skin, making it a fantastic choice for babies and kids. Whether you’re using it on diaper rash, dry patches, or minor skin irritations, this balm provides a natural, soothing touch for little ones.
With its natural ingredients, multiple uses, and customizable options, this DIY Homemade Vaseline is a skincare essential you’ll wonder how you ever lived without!
What You’ll Need to Make Your Homemade Vaseline
This recipe makes about 4 ounces of homemade vaseline. You’ll need:
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 1/8 cup beeswax
- ¼ cup olive oil (or another carrier oil of your choice such as avocado oil or almond)
- 20 drops essential oils (optional)
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is the hero of this recipe. It provides deep hydration while giving the vaseline its smooth and silky texture. I love how it absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving it soft and nourished without feeling heavy or greasy. Coconut oil is particularly effective for soothing dry patches, making it a great base for this moisturizing balm.
Beeswax
Beeswax is what gives the vaseline its semi-solid texture, making it easy to scoop and apply. It plays an important role by creating a protective barrier on your skin, which locks in moisture and helps shield against environmental irritants.
This barrier makes the balm long-lasting and perfect for tackling dryness caused by cold weather or frequent washing. The firm yet smooth consistency it adds to the product is one of my favorite features.
Olive Oil
Olive oil adds richness and hydration to the mix. Packed with antioxidants and essential fatty acids, it’s a fantastic choice for repairing and protecting dry or irritated skin. I love using olive oil for its nourishing properties, but this recipe is incredibly versatile.
You can substitute olive oil with other carrier oils like almond oil for a silky finish, jojoba oil for a lightweight feel, or grapeseed oil for a quick-absorbing option. Each oil offers unique benefits, so feel free to experiment based on your needs and preferences.
Essential Oils (Optional)
Essential oils allow you to customize your homemade Vaseline, adding fragrance and additional benefits.
See this article for the best essential oils to use on skin.
All the best essential oils for skin
Top 10 Essential Oils for Your Skin
See this article for suggestions on the best essential oils for your skin care.
However, essential oils are entirely optional. If you prefer a neutral, unscented version similar to traditional vaseline, you can skip this step, and it will still work beautifully.
Each component plays a vital role in moisturizing and protecting your skin while offering room for customization to suit your individual needs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Homemade Vaseline
Step 1: Melt the Ingredients
In a heat-safe glass jar, combine the coconut oil, olive oil, and beeswax. Slowly melt the mixture in the microwave, stirring thoroughly every 30 seconds to ensure everything blends evenly.
You can also choose to use a small double boiler over a pot of simmering water on the stove.
This one works really well . I use it frequently for many of my DIY projects. For the sake of the photos for this blog post, it was easier to use the glass measuring cup, but this double boiler is my favorite way to melt ingredients.
Step 2: Add Essential Oils (optional – can leave it unscented)
Once the mixture has melted completely, let it cool slightly. Add 20 drops of your favorite essential oils, if desired, and stir well to distribute them throughout.
Step 3: Pour and Set
Carefully pour the mixture into a clean, airtight container. Let it sit overnight at room temperature to harden before putting the lid on.
How to Use Your Homemade Vaseline
- Use clean fingers or a spatula to scoop out a small amount of the Vaseline.
- Gently massage it onto dry or rough areas of your skin, such as elbows, knees, or lips.
- Use it throughout the day whenever your skin needs extra moisture or protection.
And there you have it! This homemade Vaseline is a natural, nourishing solution you can feel good about using every day. Not only does it care for your skin, but it also gives you the satisfaction of crafting something personalized and chemical-free. Keep it on hand for whenever your skin needs a little extra love—you’ll wonder how you managed without it!
Homemade Vaseline DIY Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 1/8 cup beeswax
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 20 drops essential oils ex: Frankincense, Lavender, Tea Tree. Can leave out if desired.
Instructions
- Add olive oil, coconut oil, and beeswax to a double boiler on a pot of simmering water, or glass jar and melt slowly in the microwave until all melted. Be sure to mix thoroughly after every 30 second interval if using the microwave.
- Once melted, let it slightly cool down before adding in your essential oils, if you are using.
- Add to your container and let harden overnight before putting the lid on.
Notes
- Essential oils are optional. If you want it to be like regular vaseline, I wouldn’t use any essential oils.
- Any carrier oil will work. I used olive oil for this recipe.
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Dawn Goehring
Dawn Goehring is the founder of Desert Naturals. Combining her passion for holistic wellness, natural living and essential oils, she creates informative articles on essential oils, guides you through DIY natural bath & beauty products and homemade non-toxic cleaners, and self care.
Creating less waste with DIY projects is great. This vaseline recipe is a win for sustainability and no petroleum!
You mentioned adding essential oils, but is there a particular reason why some are better for skin than others?
made it last weekend, was easy and fun, works good too
It works really well! Will definitely be making again.
homemade stuff always saves bucks. kudos for the recipe!
Absolutely love the idea of controlling what goes onto my skin. Thanks for providing such a safe and healthy alternative, Dawn.
how long does this homemade vaseline last do you know? not sure if it gonna go bad quick or what.
Making my own skincare products is my jam. Tried this and it’s fabulous!
Tried it and my son loves it! He’s super picky his lips were so dry because he wouldn’t use anything else. I used a bit of peppermint essential oil to this and he has been using it. Thank you Thank you!
love the idea of making my own vaseline, especially with kids around. safe and sounds super easy. thanks Dawn Goehring for sharing!