the original patent drawing for Petroleum Jelly purification

A Breakthrough Discovery

In 1859, Robert Augustus Chesebrough, a young chemist, journeyed to Titusville, Pennsylvania, where he made a remarkable discovery. He encountered a natural, mineral-rich waxy substance with visible skin-repairing properties, sparking the idea for what would become Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly.

Inspired by this finding, Chesebrough meticulously experimented and refined the substance in his Brooklyn lab, driven by a vision to create a solution that could effectively heal and protect the skin. This dedication led to his patenting of a unique purification method in 1865, establishing the triple purification process that remains a hallmark of the Vaseline® brand's quality and efficacy.

Vintage bottles of Vaseline

The VASELINE® Brand Is Born

The year 1870 marked the official birth of the Vaseline® brand, as Robert Chesebrough began distributing his pure petroleum jelly. This innovative product quickly became one of North America's first branded consumer goods, laying the groundwork for Vaseline® history.

To introduce his "miracle" product, Chesebrough opened a factory in Brooklyn, New York, and personally toured the state in a horse-drawn carriage, demonstrating its benefits. His efforts quickly paid off: by 1874, only two years after its launch, an astounding one tin of Vaseline® Jelly was sold every minute across the United States, totaling over 1,400 tins daily.

A vintage ad from 1880s of Vaseline's Petroleum Jelly

Trusted by All

By the 1880s, the versatility and safety of pure Vaseline® petroleum jelly made it a household staple across North America. From soothing diaper rash for infants to providing relief for dry, chapped skin of workers in harsh conditions, Vaseline® became a trusted solution for diverse skin needs.
A box of Vaseline products from 1900s

A Wartime Staple

During World War I, Vaseline® petroleum jelly emerged as an essential item for American soldiers in Europe. Valued for its ability to soothe sore feet and protect skin in harsh trench conditions, its demand was so high that soldiers frequently requested more from their families back home, solidifying its role in Vaseline® history.
A vintage ad from 1920s of Vaseline's Petroleum Jelly

“Handiest Thing In The House”

Throughout the 1920s, Vaseline® solidified its reputation as 'The Handiest Thing In The House.' Its dual utility for both first aid and cosmetic purposes made it a truly ubiquitous and indispensable household brand, reflecting its growing importance in daily life.
an example of Vaseline's sterile antiseptic dressing fabricated in 1930s

Supporting The Frontline

In 1937, as World War II intensified, soldiers faced severe burn injuries. Recognizing the healing properties of petroleum jelly, the Chesebrough Manufacturing Company was commissioned by the Surgeon General to develop and produce a sterile antiseptic dressing, providing crucial support to the frontline.
A vintage ad from 1950s of Vaseline's Petroleum Jelly

"The Wonder Jelly"

By the 1950s, Vaseline® had earned widespread acclaim, with Reader's Digest famously dubbing it 'The Wonder Jelly.' This recognition underscored its remarkable versatility and trusted healing capabilities, further cementing its place in households.
A vintage ad from 1970s of Vaseline's Lotions

Vaseline® Lotion Is Launched

The late 1960s marked a new chapter in Vaseline® history with the launch of Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Lotion in the USA. Introduced in 1968, this innovative product offered dual benefits for dry skin relief and as an effective after-sun moisturizer, expanding the brand's skincare solutions.

This launch ushered in a new era, highlighted by the iconic Vaseline® Intensive Care™ "Working Hands of America" campaign. The campaign celebrated individuals from diverse professions, symbolizing unity and the universal need for healthy, cared-for skin, reinforcing Vaseline®'s commitment to skin health for all.

A vintage ad from 1980s of Vaseline's hand cream and lip balm

Vaseline for Lips and Hands

Building on the immense success of its body lotions, Vaseline® continued to innovate throughout the 1980s and 90s. The brand expanded its trusted skincare offerings with the introduction of Vaseline® Lip Therapy® and Vaseline® Hand & Nail Formula, providing targeted care for lips and hands.
Woman using Vaseline Healing Jelly

Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

In 2011, Vaseline® took a significant step towards sustainability by transitioning the plastic material in our Vaseline® Healing Jelly jars from polystyrene (#6 Plastic) to polypropylene (#5 Plastic). This change was a deliberate effort to enhance the recyclability of our packaging, contributing to a more environmentally conscious approach.

a woman applying Vaseline Jelly on a kid

Bringing Skin Healing Where It’s Needed The Most

Driven by a commitment to provide accessible skin healthcare globally, the Vaseline® brand initiated the Vaseline® Healing Project in partnership with Direct Relief in 2015. Through this impactful program, we have consistently delivered critical skin health care to communities worldwide facing acute needs or recovering from natural disasters, embodying our mission of healing for all.
Old bottles and New Bottles

Less Plastic per Lotion Bottle

In a continued effort towards sustainability, Vaseline® reengineered its lotion packaging in 2018 to significantly reduce plastic usage. This initiative successfully prevented the use of plastic equivalent to 2.3 million Vaseline® 20.3oz bottles (130 metric tons of plastic) in the US between 2018 and 2022, showcasing our dedication to environmental responsibility.

two kids smiling

Skin Health For All

By 2019, Vaseline® proudly achieved its initial goal of providing skin healing support to over five million people globally through The Vaseline® Healing Project (VHP). This milestone underscores our unwavering commitment to making skin health accessible to communities around the world.

Hand holding Vaseline bottle

Advancing Sustainability: Increased Recycled Plastic & Recyclable Jars

In 2022, Vaseline® relaunched its Intensive Care Lotions with enhanced packaging, improved formulas, and bottles crafted from 50% recycled plastic. Additionally, our iconic jelly jars achieved widely recyclable status. Discover more about Vaseline’s comprehensive approach to plastic sustainability.

This significant update in 2022 saw our lotion bottles in the US and Canada incorporate 50% recycled plastic content, a substantial improvement from the previous 0-25%. By prioritizing recycled plastic, we actively reduce our reliance on virgin plastic and foster demand for future plastic recycling initiatives.

Furthermore, in July 2022, How2Recycle reclassified Vaseline® Healing Jelly jars made of polypropylene (#5 Plastic) to "widely recyclable." We are diligently updating our back-of-pack labels to reflect this positive change. Learn more about How2Recycle’s updated classification for #5 plastic.

Vaseline Recyclable Pump Advanced Repair 32oz

Launch of Recyclable Pumps

In 2024, Vaseline® introduced a significant sustainability advancement by replacing the pumps on its Intensive Care Lotion bottles with innovative recyclable pumps. This thoughtful design allows consumers to conveniently recycle the entire bottle and pump together, simplifying the recycling process.

Traditional lotion pumps often contain an internal metal spring within a plastic casing, posing a challenge for recycling. Vaseline®'s new recyclable pump ingeniously replaces this metal spring with one made entirely of #5 plastic. This innovation enables the disposal of the bottle and pump as a single unit directly into the recycling bin, aligning with local recycling policies. Discover more about our pioneering recyclable pump technology.

A runner resting. She is hearing sports clothes
The Enduring Healing Power of Vaseline®

Our Enduring Commitment to Skin Health and Well-being

From its inception, the Vaseline® brand has been dedicated to empowering individuals with healthier skin. Our current product range is the culmination of extensive skin research and a clear, evolving mission: to create accessible, effective everyday skincare solutions, to provide vital skin health access and education to underserved communities, and to support everyone, everywhere, in maintaining healthy skin to confidently meet life's challenges.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR BRAND Our Enduring Commitment to Skin Health and Well-being

Ingredients