Despite the name, baby oil is not just for infants. If this statement is hard to believe, it won’t be by the time you finish this article! There are many ways baby oil can make your life smoother – both literally and figuratively. In fact, it can probably even save the world.
Okay, we may be exaggerating slightly with the whole “save the world” thing. But when you discover the skin-softening, leather-shining, and bug-repelling properties of baby oil, you’ll understand why we’re such fans.
Let's take a look at this comprehensive list of the many uses of baby oil!
Wax remover
If you regularly wax your body, you know the feeling of having to contend with the icky wax residue left on the skin. It can be difficult to remove, especially if the wax dries up and clings to your hair. You might even feel you have to live with the waxy residue for the rest of your life.
Fortunately, there is a solution to this sticky problem. All you really need to do is pour a bit of baby oil on a small swab of cotton and wipe the waxy area with it. The purpose of the baby oil is to make the waxy residue soft enough to loosen up. Eventually, it can easily be wiped away. Amazingly, this works as well with ear wax as it does with body wax!
Face mask maker
Although it’s great that a lot of commercial face masks have hit the market in recent years, some of them can cost quite a bit of money. So, if you’re strapped for cash (or looking for a new DIY project), consider making your own.
All you need are three ingredients: egg white, tea tree oil, and baby oil. Mix them together and gently apply the mixture to your face. For something that moisturizes more, switch to mayonnaise and baby oil. Then, let it soak into your skin for 20 minutes.
Makeup remover
There are dozens of ways to remove makeup. You can use makeup remover wipes or place a few drops of micellar water on a cotton swab. But you can also use a cheaper alternative – baby oil! There’s no need to fork out tons of money on fancy products. A simple and affordable bottle of baby oil will do the trick.
Make sure to keep a bottle handy in your bathroom cabinet. The best thing about baby oil? It’s gentle on the skin but powerful enough to remove thick makeup layers. It can even take away waterproof makeup. Plus, it causes no skin irritation. What’s not to love?
Shower gel extender
Regular users of shower gel know how much they get through in a month. They also know how many bottles they have to buy because the product runs out fast. Who knew shower gels could drain such a large portion of your finances? Fortunately, you need not succumb to the financial burden brought on by having to buy tons of shower gel.
Instead, simply top up your shower gel with baby oil. This will make it more moisturizing and luxurious, and the product’s quality or effectiveness will not be compromised. Adding baby oil makes your skin feel softer and more refreshed due to the oil’s natural moisturizing quality.
Smooth shredding operator
Believe it or not, baby oil can assist companies to shred unwanted documents. Who knew baby oil can actually be a key ingredient in keeping top-secret files away from prying eyes? Since shredders require regular maintenance, they need to be oiled consistently to make them function well.
All one has to do is take a cotton swab, pour some baby oil on it, and use the oil-swabbed cotton to wipe the blades. Immediately, you will notice an improvement in the machine’s paper shredding power. It’s a hack every office worker needs to know.
Split-end sorter outer
Some people seem to be born with perfect hair that never splits. Others are stuck with split hairs. If the latter describes you, then consider putting a bit of oil in your hair. The exact amount depends on your hair texture, so it’s important to go slow.
Instead of running out to the store to buy a new costly product, check around the house for some baby oil. Then, dab a little bit of the stuff on your hands and gently apply it to your split ends.
Chewing gum remover
You may or may not be a regular gum chewer, but it is inevitable that you will encounter some form of it at least once in your life, whether you like it or not. Merely standing, sitting, or walking can make you fall victim to the dreaded sticky gum left by a notorious gum chewer. You may end up having to remove gum from your shoes, shirt, jeans, or hair. If you fail to remove it immediately, expect to be haunted by the sticky residue forever.
Removing gum is a nightmare unless you know the following baby oil hack. All you need to do is soak the gum-covered area in baby oil. Leave it on for a few minutes, and then you should be able to simply roll it off.
Body heat maintenance
Come winter, you can wear numerous layers of clothing to feel warm. You can also stay home and avoid being exposed to the chilly weather outside. However, not many know that baby oil actually can help the body feel less of the chill.
Baby oil essentially keeps the pores of the skin tightly closed. Therefore, it doesn’t let the cold enter the skin, making you feel a bit warm and fuzzy. Plus, you get a bonus moisturizing effect to keep flaky winter skin at bay.
Necklace detangler
The process of detangling necklaces is frustrating, especially if you’ve been at it for hours, but no detangling is actually happening. Sliding the necklace’s various components from each other can be tricky because everything is so dainty and intricate.
Thanks to baby oil, the task is not an impossibility. It also takes away any of the frustrations involved in necklace detangling. There’s no need to throw your tangled necklace in the bin. Simply dab a few drops of baby oil on the chain, and you’ll be able to slick the tangled links apart.
Temporary tattoo remover
If you’ve ever had a temporary tattoo but then realized it wouldn’t really be appropriate for work or school, you probably know the difficulty of having it removed despite the claim that it is temporary.
You could even end up wounding your skin or irritating the area from scratching it too much. Avoid this predicament by simply applying a tiny amount of baby oil to a swab of cotton. Apply it to the temporary tattoo until you see it slowly transfer from your skin onto the swab.
Sticker remover
Stickers are harmless fun until you can’t get them off. What looks like a fun and benign animated sticker character on the wall can easily turn into a nightmare when it stays there long after you forget that animated character’s name and your kid goes off to college. Even if you manage to remove it, there may be some residue left.
Fortunately, this does not have to be the case. All you need to do is wipe baby oil on the sticky residue and then watch it come off with ease. If the sticker is a bit difficult to remove, rub the baby oil vigorously on the surface you want to clean. Any sticker residue will easily go away.
Stretch mark reducer
Although stretch marks may be embarrassing to some, they’re incredibly common to many. Most often, they arise during pregnancy, puberty, bodybuilding, or other activities that can tear the skin and leave a scar. Although there’s no single cure for getting completely rid of them, there are a few ways to reduce the scarring.
One is through baby oil. When you apply baby oil to your skin, it moisturizes and plumps it up, making the scarring and stretch marks less visible to the naked eye.
Massage improver
Massage is one of the best acts of self-care you can give yourself. It is a relaxing way to rid your body of stress. Having an oil massage makes the process a lot more relaxing as the barrier between the hands of the masseuse and your skin is removed. Consequently, the nerves feel more at ease, and the skin becomes more pliable.
Though some are more than ready to fork out tons of cash on the best aromatherapy massage oils, doing so is unnecessary as all you essentially need is baby oil. There’s no need to seek out an exotic oil when this simple product will do.
Squeak remover
It is common for a lot of houses to have a squeaky door, padlock, or floorboard. The common solution for such issues is the ever-reliable WD-40, as it lubricates all things squeaky. But if you don’t have this in your house, you can use another product that is just as effective.
Baby oil functions in the same manner as a WD-40, and it’s a lot cheaper. Simply pour a drop or two on the squeaky hinges or between the cracks of the floorboards, and listen as the squeaks go silent.
Paint remover
If you are into DIY and prefer to paint your own house instead of paying professionals, you definitely know that the process can be very messy. It is inevitable that you will get paint on yourself and on different areas of the house.
Though you could try to scrape the paint off, cleaning it up is not always that easy. Fortunately, you can use baby oil to make the crusty paint stuck on your clothes, skin walls, or floor soften until you can easily take it off without any hassle.
Skin moisturizer
Though baby oil gets its name from the fact that it's mainly meant for babies, this does not mean you can’t use it yourself. The gentleness of baby oil makes it ideal for all skin types. It is one of the best natural moisturizers because of its ability to lock in the skin’s existing moisture.
As a result, skin becomes soft to the touch and remains naturally hydrated. It is impossible to have dry skin when baby oil is regularly applied. A lot of people prefer to spend cash on costly moisturizers when a basic baby oil will more than suffice.
Cuticle softener
A lot of people take care of their nails and cuticles. Some feel the need to spend a lot on nail care. Though taking care of your cuticles is a must, it need not be expensive. It is easy for cuticles to harden and become rough. But you don’t need to go to the nail salon to have it fixed – all you need is baby oil.
Nail salons place oil on cuticles to make them soft. You can easily do that yourself at home. Simply drop some baby oil on your cuticles and massage it gently. Regularly doing this can soften your cuticles immensely. The best part? It’s super cheap!
Leather shiner
Whether you have a leather shoe collection or a leather couch, you probably know how sensitive leather is to scuffs and scratches. Worry not! You can easily clean any scratches from leather, and it won’t cost you a dime.
Simply whip out the baby oil you probably already have in your bathroom cabinet, and buff it into your leather items to keep them bright and shiny. Baby oil also helps keep dirt away from its surface as it functions as an invisible barrier against dust, scratches, and grime.
Wooden furniture shiner
Wooden furniture is an elegant item to have in the home. Unfortunately, keeping it scratch-free is difficult. Some people shell out a lot of money for its maintenance yet find it still prone to scratches after a few weeks.
The best you can do in such a situation is to not look at the scratched wooden furniture in order to keep your anxiety at bay. Thankfully, there’s a better solution. Wiping baby oil on wooden furniture can easily cover any scuffs and make it look as good as new.
Ring remover
Everyone has experienced trying on an old ring but suddenly finding it stuck on the finger and difficult to remove. It seems like the ring will never come off.
Some mistakenly believe they need to cut the ring off just to free their finger, especially when they’ve lost circulation in the area. Thankfully, the solution need not be so dramatic. All you have to do is lubricate the affected finger with baby oil and slowly pull the ring off.
Shower curtain cleaner
Bathroom shower curtains usually collect mildew and moisture, causing them to look worn. The edges are where dirt gets trapped making a once-white bathroom shower curtain dark and dirty.
Most people prefer to throw such bathroom curtains away and buy a new one. However, this is totally unnecessary. Spending tons of money buying tons of shower curtains is a no-no when you can simply wipe those curtains with baby oil. In general, baby oil is great for keeping bathroom items shiny and clean.
Earwax loosener
It is common for people to feel grossed out by earwax, but it’s a natural product of the human body that actually protects the eardrum. Unfortunately, some people make more earwax than others, and if it builds up, it can become bothersome.
Fortunately, baby oil can help save these individuals from the discomfort brought on by earwax. Oil aids in loosening up any wax in the ear. A small drop of baby oil in the ear canal can help any earwax melt away freely.
Bathing oil
A relaxing bath is the ultimate way to care for yourself. There is no better way to bathe luxuriously than to use the perfect bathing oil. Mere water and soap simply will not do.
Fortunately, you need not spend money on costly bath oils. Regular baby oils can give your skin the exact same feeling of softness and silkiness. Plus, baby oil is a natural skin moisturizer, so go ahead and splash a few drops in your bath to create a relaxing experience.
Adhesive bandage remover
A lot of people believe in the tough love philosophy and prefer to drastically remove a band-aid from the skin as quickly as possible. We all know how uncomfortable that process is. Doing so can also make the wound hurt or bleed even more. At times it could even leave you with a painful red mark on the area.
The best and most painless way to remove plasters is by applying baby oil and waiting a few minutes before peeling the dressing off. This ensures that the process of plaster removal will be totally pain-free.
Golf club polisher
Using golf clubs on a regular basis can cause smudging and dirt to accumulate. So, golfers are judged not only by how well they swing but by how shiny their golf clubs are. A clean golf club may not make you a better golfer, but it does compensate for those times when your swing could use some work.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to keep the sparkle in your clubs. You don’t need to invest in expensive polish. You simply need to whip out the baby oil. Buff your golf clubs and then watch them glean in the sunlight as you stroll the greens.
Cracked heel softener
Dry skin is so common that it affects millions of people all over the world. A good number of the population have cracked heels. Not only is this condition uncomfortable, but it is also a pain to look at. It can cause some women to feel very self-conscious.
One of the most effective ways to keep skin from getting dry is hydration. Baby oil can keep skin hydrated all day. Simply rub baby oil on the feet and the heels regularly. Expect the skin to become soft and retain its moisture eventually.
Steel appliance smudge remover
Steel appliances are common in most kitchens. Though they are very durable, they do smudge easily and need to be regularly maintained to keep them from looking dirty. Fingerprint smudges can ruin an otherwise clean stainless steel surface.
Fortunately, cleaning them is a cinch. One only needs to use a common item found in any home - baby oil. Placing a drop or two of baby oil on the smudge and wiping it away using a dry cloth can do wonders. Expect a bright and shiny stainless steel kitchen.
Close shave improver
Dry shaving has the tendency to rip the surface of the skin and leave it with uncomfortable red marks. What should you use if your shower gel or shaving foam runs out?
The best way to avoid cutting yourself shaving is by slathering the area you intend to shave with baby oil. Doing so creates a protective layer that allows hair to be removed from the skin without hurting yourself. This trick is so effective that you may end up replacing your old shaving cream!
Colored pencil blender
Those who are serious about arts and crafts appreciate the value of experimenting with colors. Stepping away from the comfortable confines of conventional lines and hues may be a necessity if you want to make something new. Blending colored pencils is one way to practice creativity.
However, watercolors can be expensive. Thankfully you need not be limited by your finances – you can simply use baby oil. Dip your paintbrush in it and start to blend and shade any colors you want.
Car dashboard cleaner
A car’s dashboard easily gets mucky and full of scratches and smudges. If you have the habit of cleaning your car religiously, you need a way to effortlessly maintain your dashboard’s purity.
If you can’t help but get into the nooks and crannies of your car to keep it neat and orderly, you need an effective cleaning agent to make this possible. All you need is a bottle of baby oil. Just drop a small quantity on the dash and wipe it away using a cloth. For very small spaces, use a q-tip dipped in baby oil to access those hard-to-reach areas.
Lotion reviver
Most everyone is tempted to use newly released lotions and expensive beauty creams for their skin. Some people buy more than they can actually use. This results in a ton of beauty products being left in bathroom cabinets unused.
No worries, though. Never mind that time has wreaked havoc on these beauty products because baby oil can help them return to their former glory. Simply pour a tiny amount inside the bottles and shake. This helps loosen up the hardened creams, making them usable once more.
Nail polish framer
If you don’t regularly have your nails done in a salon, you probably do it yourself. And when you do it yourself, it’s inevitable that you’ll end up with some color on your cuticles. It is, after all, quite difficult to maintain perfectly steady hands when doing your own nails.
Though you can simply clean up your mess with a nail polish remover, it is easier to prevent this from happening in the first place. You can do this with the use of baby oil. All you need to do is frame your nails using baby oil. Doing so produces a layer between the skin and the nail polish, preventing it from sticking.
Stuck zipper fixer
Most pants have zippers, and it is common for these zippers to get stuck. When this happens, it can be a nuisance, especially when you can’t afford to be late for work or a date just because you can’t make a simple zipper work.
Most hacks recommend using clips and pins to unstick a stuck zipper, but some people would rather throw the clothes away than spend time and energy on such fixes. Thankfully, you can easily fix a stuck zipper using baby oil. Simply place a few drops on the zipper’s teeth and watch it loosen up. Then, easily slide it back to its regular position.
Hand grease remover
If you usually work with automobiles or any type of machinery that uses grease, it is highly likely your hands get dirty a lot. Unfortunately, regular soap and water won’t work.
It is very difficult to fight off grease. But you need not worry as baby oil serves as a simple but effective solution. You can rub oil on your hands, swish it around, and then wash it off under running water. The grease will automatically attach itself to the oil and easily wash off once rinsed.
Mosquito repellant
If you reside in an area where mosquitoes buzz and circle around people’s heads regularly, you may have used all the bug repellents known to mankind. At times, these repellents are toxic and have a horrible scent.
How would you feel if you discovered that you need not tolerate these pesky repellants and can instead use a natural one that is safe and easy to apply? The baby oil in your bathroom cabinet can be used to drive mosquitoes away and save you money.
Lip softener
Everyone has dealt with chapped lips at one time or another. Sometimes, it can even lead to painful and uncomfortable lips. You need not tolerate this discomfort as there is an easy solution to this problem.
Besides regularly drinking water and keeping yourself hydrated, you can use baby oil to keep your lips moisturized. To soften dry lips, mix baby oil with sugar and lemon juice and apply it to the lips as a scrub. Doing so will slough off any dry skin and keep the lips looking fresh.
Keyhole lubricator
It is common for metal to rust and become stiff and squeaky due to regular use. The same applies to keyholes. This is why it becomes difficult to get keys to work in old keyholes.
When faced with a stuck lock, some prefer to replace the entire unit or purchase a costly lubricant. However, all these steps are unnecessary if you have baby oil. It functions as the perfect lubricant that will make challenging keyholes a breeze to open. For best effect, it is advisable to similarly lubricate the key.
Dust remover
Dust around the house is annoying. It is difficult to ignore and can be quite frustrating. Even if you have wiped all the dust away, it seems to come back before the day is through.
Removing dust is actually easy as long as you use an effective cleaning agent. By pouring a sufficient amount of baby oil on a dry cloth, dust can actually be picked up effortlessly. This will allow you to keep your house relatively dust-free for a longer period of time.
Eyebrow tamer
If you’ve ever taken a window-shopping stroll through a local pharmacy or department store, then you’re well aware of the numerous products meant to enhance your eyebrows. These range from gels and powders to pomades and serums. Also, of course, there’s baby oil.
Baby oil is a highly effective (and affordable) eyebrow tamer. All you need to do is dip an eyebrow brush into baby oil and then gently brush it on each brow. Alongside taming and shaping your brows, baby oil will also moisturize and hydrate them.
Mascara reviver
Many have had the experience of purchasing a mascara that starts out all glossy and thick and then quickly devolves into a crusty and dry ointment. Luckily, there’s a simple way to bring back its original glory – namely, baby oil!
All you have to do is open up your mascara, pour in a few droplets of baby oil, and shake it around. Soon your mascara will take on a liquid texture once more. Plus, it will have the added moisturizing benefits of baby oil.
Makeup brush cleaner
Cleaning your makeup brushes is incredibly important because they can be full of skin and product bacteria. Although there are plenty of brush cleaners available, like face masks, they can get expensive. So, why not make your own?
As you might have guessed, baby oil can come to the rescue. Rather than giving a light clean, baby oil allows for a deeper clean that can condition the brush tips as well. This will end up ensuring your brushes stay clean of any unwanted bacteria.
Under eyes refresher
The world of beauty products is vast beyond belief. Nearly any beauty blunder has a product made to fix it. The only problem is that these specialist products can end up breaking the bank. That’s why there’s baby oil.
Alongside softening lips and taming eyebrows, this miracle oil can make your under eyes less puffy. All you have to do is dab a small amount on your fingertips, massage it under your eyes, wipe away the excess, and bask in the glory of de-puffed eyes.
Frizzy hair tamer
As we saw above, a little bit of baby oil can go a long way to smoothing out those pesky split ends. That’s not the only thing it can do, however. This multi-use product can also tame frizzy hair.
For those with naturally curly hair, baby oil works best. Simply massage a few drops into your hands and work it into the frizzy bits. Alongside taming whatever is dried out and unruly, the oil will also leave a pleasant shine.
Body scrubber
In its natural state, baby oil is a multi-functional wonder product that can do everything from reviving lotions to cleaning dashboards. In addition to its natural uses, you can also mix baby oil with other ingredients to create a whole line of new products.
One of those products is a body scrub. All you have to do is gather together brown sugar, baby oil, and honey. Then, mix half a cup of sugar with two tablespoons of honey and one tablespoon of oil.
Itchy skin curer
Skin is the largest organ in the human body – and it’s also the itchiest. Everything from eczema to psoriasis can cause uncomfortable bouts of itchiness alongside sore, dry, and cracked skin. Many of these skin conditions come with prescribed medicines that can ease the pain and itchiness.
Baby oil can also help. As a hypoallergenic product, it won’t further inflame the skin. So, for some added itchiness relief, work some baby oil onto your skin and let it sit for 15 minutes.