No, Vaseline does not help you tan, and using it in the sun is harmful. Instead of aiding in tanning, Vaseline can actually increase your risk of sunburn.
How Vaseline Affects Sun Exposure
Multiple sources confirm that Vaseline (petroleum jelly) does not act as a sunscreen; it does not block harmful UVA and UVB rays. In fact, it can worsen sun damage:
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Increased Sunburn Risk: Applying Vaseline before sun exposure intensifies the sun's rays on your skin, leading to a higher chance of sunburn. Tanning with petroleum jelly can cause damage to the skin, as it helps to attract and intensify the sun's rays on the skin, which increases the incidence of sunburn. The resulting redness and irritation are a reaction from your body's immune system.
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No Tanning Benefit: While Vaseline might make your skin appear slightly darker due to its slickness, this is temporary and not a true tan. As soon as you wipe it off, the effect disappears. No. It makes them slick, which occasionally makes them look a little darker, but as soon as you wipe it off, they look just like they did before.
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Not a Sunscreen Substitute: Vaseline is not a sunscreen and offers no protection against the harmful effects of UV radiation. Petroleum Jelly does not work as sunscreen. The only safe, natural ingredients approved and proven to completely block harmful UVA and UVB ...
Some sources mention using Vaseline to protect certain areas from self-tanner staining, not from the sun. This is a completely different application than sun tanning. Using Vaseline for this purpose does not promote tanning.
Therefore, avoid using Vaseline as a tanning aid. Always use a proper sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your skin from sun damage.
