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10 Uses for Vicks VapoRub and What Science Says About Them

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Repelling mosquitoes

A 2020 reviewTrusted Source found that many people in Colombia use Vicks VapoRub to help repel mosquitoes or soothe mosquito bits.

A 2013 reviewTrusted Source found that the camphor oil found in Vicks VapoRub can repel certain species of mosquitoes. Similarly, a 2012 studyTrusted Source suggests products containing menthol may also be effective against mosquitoes.

However, more research is needed to support the use of Vicks VapoRub in repelling mosquitoes.

DEET and picaridin are still the most powerful mosquito repellents.

Treating acne spots

Beauty bloggers have promoted using Vicks VapoRub as an overnight acne treatment.

Research suggests some ingredients in Vicks VapoRub may help heal blemishes, but other ingredients may actually worsen acne.

For example, dermatologists have recommended camphor essential oil as an acne treatment.

However, petroleum jelly, another ingredient in Vicks VapoRub, may cause breakouts. The AAD recommends against using products with petroleum jelly on acne-prone skin.

Learn more about 14 home remedies for acne.

Relieving headaches

A 2015 reviewTrusted Source found that gels and ointments containing menthol may help relieve headaches when applied to the base of the skull.

However, the amount of menthol in the tested products was much higher (6% and 10%) than that in Vicks VapoRub (2.6%).

So far, no studies support using Vicks VapoRub for treating headaches.

Warnings and cautions

Health officials and the product’s manufacturer say you shouldn’t use Vicks VapoRub:

  • on children under 2 years old
  • on open wounds
  • under tight bandages

Other safety warnings include the following:

  • Store Vicks VapoRub safely out of reach of children.
  • Don’t heat Vicks VapoRub before you use it, as it can cause burns.
  • Never eat or swallow Vicks VapoRub. The ingredients are toxic when ingested.
  • There have been cases when Vicks VapoRub caused the skin under the nose to lighten.
  • There have been rare casesTrusted Source when long-term or excessive use of Vicks VapoRub caused a rare form of pneumonia called exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP)Trusted Source.
  • If your cough or muscle soreness lasts longer than a week, talk with a doctor.
  • continued on next page

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