Vaseline

Vaseline is a gentle, fragrance-free protectant that locks moisture into dry patches and lips, which is why many people use it on the face. Because it sits on top of the skin and is occlusive, it may not suit very oily or acne-prone skin, so patch test if you are unsure.

Pure petroleum jelly is very stable and lasts a long time, but check the pack for any date and stop using it if the smell, colour or texture changes. Keep it in a cool, dry place with the lid on.

Vaseline does not make eyelashes grow, but it can condition and moisturise them so they look glossier and feel less brittle. Apply only a tiny amount and keep it out of your eyes.

It is best avoided as a sexual lubricant: being oil-based, it can damage latex condoms and make them more likely to fail, and it may upset the natural balance and increase the risk of infection. Use a purpose-made water-based lubricant instead.

Yes, Vaseline is a brand of petroleum jelly (also known as white soft paraffin), refined to be a skin-safe protectant. It is the product the name is best known for.

Petroleum jelly is combustible, so keep the product, and skin you have applied it to, away from naked flames, cigarettes and high heat. Take particular care if you use oxygen at home.

Use the small tab or lip on the lid to prise it open, or press and twist; if the lid is stiff, running warm water over the rim can loosen it. Try not to bend the lid so it seals again afterwards.