All The Different Possible Uses For Vicks VapoRub You Didn’t Know About

Published on July 21, 2021
Anyone experiencing a stuffy nose or congestion knows that using Vicks VapoRub is a great solution. The menthol topical ointment is a soothing cough suppressant that is a great alternative to oral cough medicines. What you might not know is that it has many more purposes beyond cough relief. Read on to find out just how versatile this little tub of ointment truly is.

Relieve An Earache

If you want relief from an earache, simply take a bit of VapoRub using a cotton swab or ball and rub it around your ear. You can reapply as needed in order to alleviate the discomfort.

Relieve An Earache

Relieve An Earache

Relieve Joint Pain

Family medicine specialist Pauline Jose shared that VapoRub “works as an analgesic as it works on the nerve endings.” This means that it can help relieve the ache of joint pain. The camphor and menthol in the ointment are what provide the relief. While this does provide pain relief, it is only a temporary solution, and you should always consult with a doctor for persistent joint pain.

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Relieve Joint Pain

Relieve Joint Pain

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Remove Eye Makeup

Eye makeup can be an absolutely nightmare to remove, and a lot of products that are specifically made for makeup removal can get quite pricey. You can use a small amount of VapoRub on a cotton pad in order to easily remove eye makeup. Make sure you are careful not to get any into your eye, and if you do, rinse it out with water.

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Remove Eye Makeup

Remove Eye Makeup

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Aromatherapy In A Humidifier

If you have a humidifier that has an aromatherapy compartment, then you can use VapoRub to help prevent your home from getting too dry with it. Simply place a bit of the ointment into the compartment, and enjoy the humidified air around your home.

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Aromatherapy In A Humidifier

Aromatherapy In A Humidifier

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Relieve Itchy Skin

Another great use for VapoRub is if you find yourself with itchy skin, especially if you’ve come in contact with poison ivy or other plants that cause irritation. Apply a bit of the product on the affected area and you’ll see the reduction in redness and itchy sensation that happens thanks to the camphor and menthol in the ointment. Take some with you if you’re going camping!

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Relieve Itchy Skin

Relieve Itchy Skin

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Remove A Splinter

Every once in a while, we find ourselves in a situation where we have a splinter in our feet. While often you can remove them with tweezers, sometimes they really get lodged in. You can use VapoRub to help. Apply some on the area and after a while, the moisture will help draw out the splinter.

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Remove A Splinter

Remove A Splinter

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Cover Up Bad Smells

Sometimes there’s just no avoiding unpleasant odors and smells around the house. In order to help cover up some of these smells, you can take a bit of VapoRub and place it under your nose until the source of the smell has been dealt with.

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Cover Up Bad Smells

Cover Up Bad Smells

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Relieve Cooking Burns

Many times when we are cooking, a moment of carelessness will leave us with a burn from the oven or stovetop. If this happens to you, immediately put the affected area under cold water and then apply a bit of VapoRub on the affected skin. Keep applying twice a day until the burn has healed.

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Relieve Cooking Burns

Relieve Cooking Burns

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Use As A Moisturizer

If you find yourself in a pinch and you’ve run out of moisturizer, you can use VapoRub. It’s known for helping out dry skin, and is especially helpful during the dry winter months.

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Use As A Moisturizer

Use As A Moisturizer

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Test It Out First

Make sure you test it out on a small patch of skin first to make sure it doesn’t irritate your face’s skin. Additionally, for some people, a thick and greasy ointment will not be beneficial to the skin if they are prone to acne.

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Test It Out First

Test It Out First

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Get Rid Of Dry Scalp

If you find yourself dealing with a dry, flaky scalp, you’ll be happy to hear that VapoRub can help out. Before you go to bed, apply a thin layer of the ointment on your scalp, especially the driest spots. When you wake up in the morning, wash it out and repeat as necessary.

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Get Rid Of Dry Scalp

Get Rid Of Dry Scalp

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Help Heal Bruise

Bruises typically take about two weeks to fully heal. However, if you want to help speed up the healing process a hit, you can apply a bit of VapoRub on the area. It will help reduce inflammation and help expedite the bruise’s healing process.

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Help Heal Bruise

Help Heal Bruise

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Soothe Chapped Lips

If you’re prone to getting chapped lips, you might have tried out a myriad of chapsticks and balms and found that many of them are not so effective. VapoRub is a great solution, as the menthol it contains will also help soothe split and painful dry lips. Use a small amount to heal your dry lips.

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Soothe Chapped Lips

Soothe Chapped Lips

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Use As Antiseptic

If you’re prone to getting small scratches and scrapes, VapoRub can be a great antiseptic to ensure you keep your wounds clean from infections. Make sure you clean the cut throughly with soap and water or alcohol, and then apply VapoRub with a cotton ball onto the affected area.

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Use As Antiseptic

Use As Antiseptic

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No More Nail Fungus

If you have dry and brittle nails, you need to be especially careful to avoid getting nail fungus. However, if you find that you have nail fungus, you can use VapoRub to help you out. Apply it onto the affected area. Don’t be worried if it gets darker, that means the fungus is dying out. Keep this method up for two to three weeks to make sure the fungus fully dies out.

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No More Nail Fungus

No More Nail Fungus

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Relieve Muscle Pain

If you are experiencing muscle soreness or pain, you can use VapoRub as a therapeutic muscle balm. All you need to do is rub some of the ointment onto the sore muscle and let it work its magic.

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Relieve Muscle Pain

Relieve Muscle Pain

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Sunburn Relief

Anyone who has experienced a sunburn knows that it often comes with pain, pulsation, and an uncomfortably warm sensation. You can apply VapoRub to your sunburn in order to soothe the pain and cool the skin immediately. It works quite similarly to aloe vera. Make sure you always apply sunscreen when you’re out in the sun!

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Sunburn Relief

Sunburn Relief

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Remove Lipstick

Many times, after applying lipstick, it can be quite difficult to remove completely. Even if a majority of the color comes off, there is always an annoying bit of residue that remains. Try applying a thin layer of VapoRub on the lips, wait a few minutes, and then wipe the residue off easily. This will also keep your lips moisturized.

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Remove Lipstick

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Acne Medication

While this solution might not work for everyone, it is definitely worth a shot in case it does end up working for you. Try by spot testing first. Apply a bit of VapoRub onto the affected area, and see if it helps with reducing the blemishes. If so, apply it regularly!

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Acne Medication

Acne Medication

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Wart Relief

If you’ve ever dealt with a wart, you know just how frustrating it is to try to get rid of. You can try out VapoRub to see if it can help expedite the healing process. Apply some of the ointment on the wart and then cover it up with a bandage. If this doesn’t help, consult with a doctor.

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Wart Relief

Wart Relief

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Insect Repellant

VapoRub is a great solution for insect repellent if you don’t want to buy another separate product. Many pests cannot stand the smell of the menthol and will stay away from you. Dab a bit of the ointment on your legs, arms, neck, and ankles before heading out into the great outdoors.

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Insect Repellant

Insect Repellant

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Tighten And Brighten Skin

If you want to ensure that your skin stays taught, it’s important to keep it moisturized. You can ensure your skin gets the moisture it needs, especially in the areas with crevices and fine lines, by applying VapoRub to these areas at night.

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Tighten And Brighten Skin

Tighten And Brighten Skin

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Helps With Stretch Marks

If you want to help reduce stretch marks, you can apply some VapoRub onto the area. The ointment will help with the process of fading as it softens and moisturizes the skin.

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Helps With Stretch Marks

Helps With Stretch Marks

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DIY Bath Bomb

You can make your very own soothing bath bomb by combining two tablespoons of water, three tablespoons of VapoRub, and half a cup of cornstarch. Mix everything together into a smooth paste. Form the paste into balls and allow them to harden overnight. Then simply pop one into your bath and enjoy the soothing effects.

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Helps With Decongestion

DIY Bath Bomb

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Potential New Method

Many people swear by this method although it has not been confirmed by doctors. People say that instead of rubbing VapoRub onto their chests for congestion relief, they apply it to the bottom of their feet before slipping socks on. They say that this helps them find congestion relief. It’s worth a shot!

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Potential New Method

Potential New Method

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Helps With Rosacea & Eczema

Rosacea and eczema are two skin conditions that are known for causing dryness, irritation, and discomfort. VapoRub can help with the inflammation since it contains camphor and eucalyptus which both aid in anti-inflammation and will help with easing discomfort. As usual, it’s a good idea to test a small patch of skin first to see how your skin reacts.

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Helps With Rosacea & Eczema

Helps With Rosacea & Eczema

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Relieve Dry Feet

Many people experience the serious discomfort that is dry feet. There’s nothing worse than cracked skin on feet, especially if you are in a an area with low humidity. You can keep your feet moisturized and flake-free by applying VapoRub onto the skin. We recommend rubbing it into your feet, putting some socks on, and then getting into bed. You’ll thank us later.

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Relieve Dry Feet

Relieve Dry Feet

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Migraine Relief

Many people rely on applying VapoRub onto their temples and massaging it into the skin in order to combat migraine pain. The ointment can help salve the pain due to the menthol that it contains, which can help ease the tension.

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Migraine Relief

Migraine Relief

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Aloe Is Also Fantastic

Of course, Vicks VapoRub is an incredible ointment that helps with many ailments. However, did you know that aloe vera is an incredible natural salve to many of life’s annoying and frustrating ailments? Here are some incredible uses for aloe that go beyond relieving sunburns.

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Aloe Is Also Fantastic

Aloe Is Also Fantastic

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Natural Shaving Cream

If you prefer to use a natural alternative to canned shaving cream, aloe vera is the solution. It is gentle, so it’s perfect for those with sensitive skin, and it will moisturize the skin as you shave. It’s also perfect for small nicks, as it has natural antiseptic properties.

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Natural Shaving Cream

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Exfoliate Skin

It’s important to exfoliate your skin in order to get rid of dead skin cells and keep your pores clean of dirt, oil, and grime. Aloe is known for its cleansing properties that makes it a perfect natural and gentle product to use for exfoliation.

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Exfoliate Skin

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Nourishing Hair Mask

You can use three teaspoons of fresh aloe gel mixed with two teaspoons of yogurt, one teaspoon of honey, and one teaspoon of olive oil in order to create a natural nourishing hair mask. Apply it onto your hair and scalp and let it sit for 30 minutes before washing it out.

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Nourishing Hair Mask

Nourishing Hair Mask

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Eyebrow Gel

If you’re out of clear eyebrow gel or want to use a natural alternative, you can easily swap out the cosmetic version with aloe vera gel. Swipe on a bit using a cotton swab or mascara wand and watch your eyebrows stay in place all day.

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Eyebrow Gel

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Improves Digestive Health

Aloe vera is known for aiding in digestion since it contains several enzymes that aid in the breakdown of sugars and fats. It can also help decrease stomach irritation. You can reap these benefits by drinking natural (unsweetened!) aloe vera juice.

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Improves Digestive Health

Improves Digestive Health

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Heartburn Relief

Aloe vera juice can also be a great natural way to relieve heartburn discomfort. Aloe vera juice contains compounds that help control acid secretion in the stomach and can even help fight gastric ulcers.

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Aloe Juice

Aloe Juice

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Mouthwash Alternative

You can create your very own natural mouthwash that will help keep your mouth clean and fresh. Mix together 1/2 cup aloe vera juice, 1/2 cup distilled water, 1.5 teaspoon baking soda, and 3 drops of any essential oil you choose.

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Mouthwash Alternative

Mouthwash Alternative

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Lower Blood Sugar

You can help lower your blood sugar by ingesting two tablespoons of aloe vera juice every day. A study showed that blood sugar levels decreased when patients tried this out, so there’s a possibility that aloe will become a huge player in helping with diabetes treatment.

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Lower Blood Sugar

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Natural Laxative

Aloe vera is a great option as a natural laxative. A study showed that aloe vera gel from houseplants helped relieve constipation, but according to the Mayo Clinic, this should be done sparingly. Definitely do not do this if you have Crohn’s disease, and always consult with a doctor before trying anything new out.

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Natural Laxative

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Fight Dandruff

There have been some studies that have shown that aloe vera might help seborrheic dermatitis, which is the condition that causes dandruff. The study showed that patients that treated their scalps with aloe vera showed a reduction in itchiness, scaliness, and area that was impacted by the dandruff.

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Fight Dandruff

Fight Dandruff

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Treat Skin Abrasions

Aloe vera has long been lauded for its medicinal properties, especially when it comes to skin wound care. Aloe can be used to help treat skin abrasions, but always made sure you consult with a dermatologist first, especially if your wound is serious.

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Treat Skin Abrasions

Treat Skin Abrasions

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