Yes, many people use Vaseline on the outside of the vulva, and for some it works well. Petroleum jelly is cheap, and dermatologists suggest it for dry skin. There are a few limits worth knowing before you reach for the jar, and most of them are about where it goes and what else you're using.
This article covers petroleum jelly first, then the two other things people often try: zinc diaper creams and plain oils. Coconut oil has its own article, is coconut oil safe for vulvar skin, so we only touch on it here.
In this article
- What petroleum jelly does on skin
- When Vaseline on the vulva is a fine choice
- The downsides, plainly
- Never inside the vagina
- Diaper and zinc creams
- Plain oils
- Petroleum jelly, zinc cream, oil or a balm, side by side
- Where a vulva balm fits
- Frequently asked questions
What petroleum jelly does on skin
Petroleum jelly is what's called an occlusive. It sits on top of the skin and slows the water inside from escaping. DermNet, the dermatology reference, describes occlusive agents as products that provide a layer of oil on the surface of the skin, and it lists petroleum jelly as one of them.
That's the whole job, and it's a useful one. Dry skin often feels rough or tight because it's losing water faster than it can hold it, and a seal on top slows that down. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests people consider applying petroleum jelly to dry skin, and says ointments are more effective and less irritating than lotions. It also recommends putting it on while the skin is still damp.
Petroleum jelly has one ingredient and no fragrance, so there's very little in it for skin to react to. That's a real advantage on skin that reacts easily.
When Vaseline on the vulva is a fine choice
Petroleum jelly makes sense on the outer skin of the vulva in a few situations.
Occasional dryness or rubbing. If the skin feels dry after a long walk, a day in tight clothes or a cold week, a thin layer on the outer skin can help it feel comfortable again.
As a simple seal. When the outer skin feels sore from rubbing, a thin protective layer keeps sweat and friction off it for a while.
When you want almost nothing on your skin. If your skin has reacted to fragrance or plant extracts before, a single-ingredient product is easy to test and easy to rule out.
On a budget. It costs very little, and a jar goes a long way.
Use a small amount on clean, dry or slightly damp skin, on the outside only, and test it on your inner forearm first if your skin is reactive.
The downsides, plainly
None of these make petroleum jelly a bad product. They're the reasons some people stop using it.
It's heavy. DermNet notes that some people find ointments too greasy, especially on visible areas. The vulva spends most of the day warm and covered, and a full seal on that skin is more than some people want. It also tends to transfer to underwear.
It can bother hair follicles. The same DermNet page says occlusive emollients can cause or aggravate folliculitis, the small red bumps around hair follicles. If you shave or wax the bikini area and you're prone to bumps, that's worth keeping in mind.
It doesn't rinse off with water. A layer of oil on top of the skin is the point, and it's also why it lingers. Gentle washing works better than scrubbing, which roughs up the skin.
It weakens latex condoms. This is the one that matters most. The CDC's condom guide says not to use oil-based products like baby oil, lotion, petroleum jelly, or cooking oil with condoms, because they can make the condom break. If petroleum jelly is on the vulva before sex with a latex condom, it can reach the condom. For sex, use a water-based lubricant such as Honey, which works with latex condoms.
It isn't a lubricant. It's thick and hard to wash away afterwards, which is the opposite of what you want from a lube.
Never inside the vagina
Petroleum jelly is for the outer skin only. Inside, the vagina keeps its own balance, and putting products there can upset it.
A study of 141 women in Los Angeles looked at what they put inside the vagina and compared it with lab tests. Women who reported using petroleum jelly inside the vagina in the past month were 2.2 times more likely to test positive for bacterial vaginosis, a common imbalance of vaginal bacteria. The study can't prove the jelly caused it, because some women may have been using it for symptoms they already had, but it's a good reason to keep it outside.
If the dryness you feel is inside the vagina, during sex or all day, that's a different problem from dry outer skin. It's worth talking to a doctor or pharmacist about, because hormones are often involved and there are products made for the inside. Our article on vulvar dryness in perimenopause explains the difference.
Diaper and zinc creams
Diaper creams are the other thing people grab, often because there's a tube left over from a baby. Most are thick white pastes based on zinc oxide, often mixed with petroleum jelly. DermNet's advice for diaper rash is to apply a protective emollient ointment containing petrolatum and zinc oxide, and that's exactly what these products are designed for: keeping wetness off a baby's skin.
On adult vulvar skin they can be useful as a short-term barrier, for example when the skin is sore from rubbing. They're also very thick and leave a white film that's hard to wash off without scrubbing. Many contain fragrance or other added ingredients, so read the label. Like petroleum jelly, they're oil-based and don't belong near a latex condom.
Plain oils
Plain plant oils such as almond, jojoba or olive oil are lighter than petroleum jelly and melt into the skin rather than sitting on top. A single oil is easy to test, and many people like how it feels.
The catches are similar. Any oil can bother someone's skin, so a patch test still applies, and oils are runny enough to end up where you didn't put them. Like every oil-based product, they weaken latex condoms. Coconut oil comes with a couple of extra points, which we cover in our coconut oil article.
Petroleum jelly, zinc cream, oil or a balm, side by side
| Petroleum jelly | Zinc diaper cream | Plain plant oil | A vulva balm (Lips) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | One ingredient, an occlusive seal | Zinc oxide paste, often with petroleum jelly | One plant oil | Plant oils, candelilla wax, cocoa butter, calendula, vitamin E, about 1% essential oils |
| How it feels | Thick, greasy, stays on top | Very thick, leaves a white film | Thin, can run | Melts in, a light layer |
| Fragrance | Usually none | Varies, check the label | Depends on the oil | None |
| Made for | Dry skin anywhere | A baby's diaper area | General use | The vulva and surrounding skin |
| Inside the vagina | No | No | No | No, external use only |
| With latex condoms | No | No | No | Not right before sex; keep it as daily care |
| Best for | Occasional dryness, a simple barrier, a tight budget | Short-term protection on sore skin | Occasional dryness, an easy test | Regular use under clothes |
Where a vulva balm fits
We make a vulva balm, so take this section with that in mind. Lips is made for the vulva and the skin around it. It has no petroleum, no fragrance and no hormones.
The base is sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, candelilla wax (a plant wax), cocoa butter, calendula macerate, castor oil and vitamin E, with five essential oils that together make up about 1% of the formula. Candelilla wax forms a light, breathable layer that holds moisture in, so you get some of the seal without the heavy, greasy feel. You use a pea-sized amount, massaged in until it melts. Our guide to what a vulva balm is explains who it suits and who doesn't need one.
It costs more than a tub of petroleum jelly: Lips is $36 CAD, or $27 USD, for a 1 oz jar, made in Montréal, with free shipping on its own in Canada and the US. We break that price down in what a vulva balm costs.
If you use latex condoms, the Lips page says it absorbs quickly but asks you not to apply it right before sex, and to keep it as a daily care product rather than a pre-sex product if you use condoms regularly. It also has a longer ingredient list, which means more to test if your skin is reactive. Sweet almond oil comes from a nut, so ask your doctor first if you have a nut allergy.
If the outer skin is cracked or broken, if you have strong itch that keeps you up at night, if the skin is turning white or shiny, or if there's new discharge or a change in smell, see a doctor before you put anything on it. None of these products is the right first step there.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to put Vaseline on your vulva?
On the outer skin, petroleum jelly is a simple seal that dermatologists suggest for dry skin, and many people use it without trouble. Keep it outside, use a small amount, and test it on your forearm first if your skin reacts easily. Don't use it inside the vagina or with latex condoms.
Can Vaseline cause a yeast infection or BV?
We found no good evidence of that for the outer skin. Inside the vagina is different: one study found women who used petroleum jelly internally were 2.2 times more likely to test positive for bacterial vaginosis. The study can't prove cause, but it's a good reason to keep it outside. See a doctor for any new discharge or smell.
Can I use Vaseline as a lube?
It's not a good choice. It's thick and hard to wash away, and the CDC warns against using petroleum jelly with condoms because oil-based products can make them break. A water-based lubricant works with latex condoms, and a silicone one lasts longer during sex.
Can I use Vaseline on my bikini line after shaving?
You can, on unbroken skin, but it isn't always the best pick. DermNet notes that heavy occlusive products can aggravate folliculitis, the small bumps around hair follicles, and shaved skin is prone to those. If you get bumps after shaving, a lighter product may suit you better. Skip it on nicks or cuts.
Can I use diaper cream on my vulva?
On the outer skin, for a short time, a zinc diaper cream can work as a barrier when skin is sore from rubbing. It's very thick and leaves a white film that's hard to wash off. Many contain fragrance or other extras, so check the label, and never use it inside the vagina.
What can I use instead of Vaseline on my vulva?
A plain plant oil, a fragrance-free ointment or a balm made for the vulva are the usual options. Plant oils are lighter, and a balm like Lips uses plant oils and a plant wax to hold moisture in without the greasy feel. All of them are external only and oil-based.
Sources
- Occlusive agents, greasiness and folliculitis: DermNet, Emollients and moisturisers
- Petroleum jelly for dry skin: American Academy of Dermatology, 5 ways to use petroleum jelly for skin care
- Oil-based products and condoms: CDC, How to use an external condom
- Intravaginal petroleum jelly and bacterial vaginosis: Brown and others, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2013, PubMed 23635677
- Petrolatum and zinc oxide ointment for diaper rash: DermNet, Napkin dermatitis
About this article
Written by the Peach & Cream team, based in Montréal. Published October 15, 2026. Last updated October 15, 2026. Lips product facts come from its product page and label; health information comes from the sources listed above. This article is general information, not medical advice. Lips does not treat or prevent any condition.