10 Genius Uses for Vicks VapoRub That Make Life Painless

Are your shoes rough on your feet? Vicks can help if dry skin and cracked heels are a problem for you. Just rub some Vicks on the bottoms of your feet before you go to sleep and, if desired, sleep with a pair of socks on. In the morning, you’ll be greeted with fresh, silky, smooth feet.

Vicks can help ease a stubborn headache because of its anti-inflammatory agents. To use Vicks for headaches, take a small amount onto your finger and massage it into the forehead, and/or on the temples. Alternatively, simply inhaling the smell of the Vicks can also relieve a headache.

Vicks is also a powerful remedy for bruises. Gently massage a small amount of Vicks directly onto the bruise once or twice daily until it is faded.

Vicks' anti-inflammatory properties save the day once more if you’ve got a breakout that needs to be dealt with — and fast. To use Vicks for acne, dab a small amount onto the affected area once or twice daily. You should see the blemish start to dry out and heal quickly. 

If you sit at a desk for long hours or are on your feet all day, chances are you’ve dealt with some muscular discomfort. The menthol and eucalyptus in Vicks, when combined with heat, make a wonderful remedy for wound-up muscles. To use Vicks for your muscles, massage some of the ointment onto the affected area. Then, rest a heating pad or warm compress on the area, and allow the pain to melt away. Ah, sweet relief.

Toenail and foot fungus is no fun, we know. But luckily, you can kill that stubborn fungus with Vicks since its ingredients contain antifungal properties. To use Vicks for toenail fungus, wash and clean your feet thoroughly. Then, apply the Vicks to the affected areas, being sure to get the gel into any creases or cracks in your toenails. Then, wrap the area in an adhesive bandage to prevent it from rubbing off. For best results, do this daily for a minimum of 10 days.

In the drier winter months, sometimes your regular body lotion just isn’t going to cut it when it comes to keeping your skin moisturized. Luckily, the Vicks formula is penetrating enough to moisturize the roughest of dry winter skin. To use Vicks as a moisturizer, simply massage small amounts into the skin before or after a shower. Remember, a little goes a long way!

Bug bites be gone! Some of the ingredients in Vicks act as a natural insect repellent. Simply slather some on your exposed skin before going out, and kiss pesky bug bites goodbye.

Since our pet’s sense if smell is so much stronger than ours, imagine what it feels like to them to take a whiff of some Vicks? Vicks should never be applied directly to a dog or cat’s skin because it can be poisonous, but you can use Vicks to train your companion to use the bathroom where you’d like him to, or to stop chewing on your furniture. To use Vicks for pet training, rub a very small amount of the ointment onto any areas or belongings you want them to avoid.

The combination of menthol, thick oils, and other anti-inflammatory ingredients is perfect for reducing the appearance of stubborn stretch marks. To use Vicks for stretch marks, simply rub Vicks directly onto your stretch marks one to two times daily. Some even say that rubbing Vicks onto your stretch marks, wrapping the area (such as your stomach or thigh area) in plastic wrap, and leaving the wrap on overnight makes the marks go away even faster!