Vicks VapoRub has long been recommended as a multipurpose over-the-counter medication. Some suggest it can be used to treat acne as well as other skin issues. Vicks is supposed to diminish pimples on your face overnight. This is a common theory, especially on beauty websites and forums. But is this a safe and efficient practice?
The Ingredients in Vicks VapoRub
Vicks VapoRub is made up of a combination of active and inactive substances, such as:
Active Ingredients
A topical analgesic with possible anti-inflammatory qualities is camphor.
Menthol: This herb may have a cooling effect and help lessen discomfort and swelling.
Eucalyptus oil: Can be unpleasant as well as having some anti-aging properties.
Petroleum jelly: An occlusive substance that can worsen acne by clogging pores.
Inactive Ingredients
The inactive ingredients in Vicks VapoRub include:
- Cedarleaf oil
- Nutmeg oil
- Petrolatum
- Thymol
- Turpentine oil
Applications with some scientific support
The following Vicks VapoRub applications have some scientific support:
- Relieving cough and congestion: Vicks VapoRub isn’t a decongestant, but its menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil can produce a cooling feeling and activate brain receptors that give you the impression that you’re breathing more clearly. Studies have demonstrated that by reducing cough and congestion, taking Vicks VapoRub as directed will enhance the quality of your sleep.
- Toenail fungus treatment: 18 patients in research who used Vicks VapoRub for their toenail fungus exhibited improvement after 48 weeks, with five of them experiencing a mycological and clinical cure.
- Vicks VapoRub contains substances that may help relax tense muscles and create a calming, cooling sensation to relieve pain in the muscles and joints. These compounds include camphor, menthol, and others.
- Insect repellent: Vicks VapoRub’s potent aroma is a natural insect repellent, keeping flies, mosquitoes, and other insects at bay.
- Reducing bruising and swelling: Vicks VapoRub’s anti-inflammatory components may help minimize bruising and hasten the healing of bruises.
Although additional potential benefits, like healing acne, decreasing belly fat, and relieving dry skin, are mentioned in the search results, it doesn’t seem like there is any scientific evidence to support these claims.
Other applications that users claim to find useful
Other applications for Vicks VapoRub that users claim to find effective include:
Stretch marks fading
There is no proof that any topical treatment or lotion may effectively lessen stretch marks, according to researchers (Trusted Source). However, some users claim that Vicks VapoRub works well for fading stretch marks.
Teaching pets manners (e.g., to prevent them from clawing or urinating on furniture):
If you apply a tiny bit of the product to the desired place, your pet may stay away, but make sure they can’t lick or chew the ointment off of the surface.
Restoring the rough heels
Petroleum jelly is advised as a moisturizer by the American Academy of Dermatology Association because it prevents moisture from evaporating, especially when applied to damp skin. That could be the reason why Vicks VapoRub has been beneficial for some people in treating rough skin on their heels and feet.
Keeping mosquitoes away
Certain mosquito species can be repelled by the camphor oil in Vicks VapoRub, according to a review of earlier studies. Additionally, this oil has been applied as a pesticide to control specific kinds of beetles.
Taking care of acne lesions
Some components in Vicks VapoRub may make acne worse, but research suggests that several of them are useful for fixing blemishes.
Reducing headache pain by applying cold, comforting pressure to the forehead
A few brief investigations Research from Reliable Source indicates that applying menthol-containing gels and ointments to the base of the skull may help relieve headaches. Vicks VapoRub contains 2.6 percent menthol, whereas the tested products had substantially greater menthol contents (6 percent and 10 percent).
VapoRub for Sagging Skin
The search results suggest concentrating on tried-and-true techniques for enhancing skin elasticity rather than depending solely on Vicks VapoRub. These include using targeted skincare products, exfoliating frequently, shielding skin from sun damage, leading a healthy lifestyle, and seeking the advice of a dermatologist for specific recommendations.
For instance, camphor essential oil has been suggested by dermatologists as a cure for acne. However, petroleum jelly, another ingredient in Vicks VapoRub, might result in outbreaks. The search results do point out that some of these applications—such as treating acne with Vicks VapoRub or training pets—might not be advised or shown to be successful. Some components in Vicks VapoRub may irritate sensitive skin or pose a risk to animals.
For more health tips, read: Art and Science of Tattoo Blowouts
Side effects of Vaporub
The following are the main details about the possible negative effects of taking Vicks VapoRub:
Serious Allergy Responses: Vicks VapoRub can result in serious allergic responses, such as hives, breathing difficulties, dizziness, and irregular heartbeats, as the search results caution. If you experience any of these severe allergy symptoms, you should get emergency medical attention right away.
Skin Irritation: The skin where Vicks VapoRub is administered may become red, irritated, or experience burning. It’s unclear how frequently these negative effects of skin irritation occur.
Eye Irritation: Breathing in the vapors from Vicks VapoRub may irritate your eyes.
Burns at Application Site: Although the frequency is not specified, there is a chance that burns will occur at the application site.
Effects on the Respiratory System: Vicks VapoRub should not be given to children younger than two years old since it may impair their breathing. Vicks VapoRub should only be used sparingly on the chest and back of children older than two years old.
The search results highlight the need to stop using the product and get medical help if any negative responses happen, even if side effects are often minor and infrequent. It’s important to carefully follow the usage directions, especially for young children.
VapoRub Skincare Protocol
VapoRub “slugs” other substances into the skin because it is an occlusive ointment. Because Vicks Vaporub contains so many oils, it is typically used at night for facial routines due to its greasy nature. I do not suggest using it because it will aggravate most skin types. Finding out your Baumann Skin Type is the first step in creating a decent skin care regimen. I will provide you with lists of items from over 60 brands that are appropriate for your skin type after you complete the survey.
Does Vicks VapoRub pose a risk? How to react in case Vicks goes in your nose, ear, or eye
Here are the key points regarding the potential dangers of Vicks VapoRub and what to do if it gets in the eyes, ears, or nose:
Severe allergic reactions may manifest as breathing difficulties, lightheadedness, hives, or irregular heartbeats.
Because of the camphor concentration, accidental intake, particularly by youngsters, can result in nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and even death. Vicks VapoRub used on the face or the area surrounding the eyes may cause blisters, swollen eyelids, and irreversible corneal (outer layer of the eye) damage. Even when Vicks VapoRub is heated with water, it can erupt, causing severe burns and surgically necessary eye injuries. Lipoid pneumonia is an uncommon kind of pneumonia that can result from using Vicks VapoRub excessively or for an extended period under the nose.
What should be done if Vicks goes in your nose, ears, or eyes?
Eyes: Use room-temperature tap water to rinse the affected eye immediately. In case of persistent discomfort, seek medical attention.
Ears: If Vicks gets in the ear, rinse it off with room-temperature tap water. Never attempt to take it out on your own.
Nose: If Vicks VapoRub is being used in or under the nose often, stop using it and see a doctor.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is it okay to apply Vicks VapoRub on a child’s skin?
Children younger than two years old shouldn’t use Vicks VapoRub because it may cause respiratory difficulties in them. When applying it to youngsters older than two, make sure to carefully follow the usage directions and apply it only lightly to the chest and back.
Does Vicks work on nails with fungus?
A study discovered According to the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, Vicks VapoRub was used to cure onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nails, in eighteen individuals. At 48 weeks, five of the 18 people had a mycological and clinical cure, ten had partial clearance, and three showed no change. Of the subjects, fifteen exhibited a good response to the treatment. After the trial, 18 individuals gave their satisfaction with the nail appearance a satisfactory rating.
Can you put Vicks VapoRub in your nose without risk?
Be aware that Vick’s VapoRub should never come into contact with your eyes and should only be used externally. It is not recommended to consume it, inhale it through your nose, or apply it to open wounds.
When using Vicks VapoRub with COVID-19, is it okay?
Menthol-containing products are not advised for COVID-19 patients. Menthol can cause your brain’s receptors to fire, giving you the impression that you’re breathing more clearly than you are and making you misjudge how bad your symptoms are. Delaying required medical treatment could be the outcome of this.
Bottom line
Dermatologists strongly advise against using Vicks VapoRub on the face overnight, especially for acne-prone skin. Its thick, oily texture can clog pores and worsen acne, while menthol and camphor may irritate sensitive skin. Instead, opt for dermatologist-recommended acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinoids, or tea tree oil for safer and more effective results.
