This No-Mess Body Balm Has Prevented My Blisters All Summer

Welcome to Game Changers, a weekly series in which we reveal the holy- grail beauty products we’re loving now—the ones that saved our hair, cleared our skin, and, in some way, changed our lives.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always suffered from blisters during the summer. The hotter months bring out energy in me that leads to a lot more running, time spent barefoot, and going on long walks with flat sandals that are made for looks rather than comfort. Previously, I’d always solved my blister problem by slapping a Band-Aid over them and waiting it out—until I tried the Vaseline All-Over Body Balm.

Like the OG Vaseline, this balm uses the same skin-loving petroleum jelly that’s helped everyone and their grandparents tackle chapped lips and dry skin for decades. The difference is that with the balm, you don’t get the same mess as you do when scooping the original formula out of the container. Because of that, it’s the perfect solution for those times when your swollen feet are pressing against your strappy sandals or you’re breaking in a new pair of running shoes. Plus, the container’s small size means it fits in every bag and most pockets.

Shop it! $5.99, target.com

Adding a moisturizing, balmy layer between the skin of my feet and my shoes helps to minimize the friction that leads to blisters, and keeps my skin soft, too. Before heading out for the day, I’ll apply this product to the areas where friction would typically occur, and at night I like to apply it to my heels to help prevent dry, cracked skin.

Apart from using the Vaseline All-Over Body Balm to prevent my blisters, I use it for other purposes, too. For example, I like to rub it on the inner corners of my thighs to prevent chafing, and I often find myself applying it to my knuckles and elbows since those areas tend to get drier. TBH, this stick unexpectedly has become my go-to product for the summer, and I’m sure I’ll be keeping it close for the rest of the year, too.