Vicks VapoRub Questions & Answers
Where can I buy the old Vicks the new one stinks.... literally
Recently purchased vicks vapor rub (way pricey) and found that it is very weak and does not do what it did in the past. Is there any way to get the real thing?
Same here , I have not used for decades , bought some to help with a cold and knew immediately they had changed the formula . The product is now rubbish and was very unpleasant when used as an inhalent. Won't be buying again !!
My friend rubbed Vick’s on my neck saying it was good for muscles. The next day I went in a jacuzzi and now my neck is so red like it has a chemical burn! I asked a pharmacist and she said the menthol in the Vick’s along with heat could cause this????
I just found out about this. Apparenlty in 1983 the US Food and drug administration decided that Vicks had too much Camphor (11%) so now it contains 4.8%. That's why it doesn't smell the same and obviously doesn't do the same job as it used to.
It is not like people eat the stuff. It is to help people breathe!
Some ppl do eat it.
like me <3
Why was the original "Vicks" formula changed...This stuff I just bought smells like dead/dying funeral flowers. Will never buy again. Worthless noneffective goop.
Only the company has the answer...obviously
The vicks smells horrid it does not help my chest when i rub it on like it used to. And yes its so expensive now. Compared to the old vicks it does not even smell like vicks
Why did you change the formula? Its garbage now! Its more like vaseline and had no scent.
Only the company has the answer
Up the ante! Small saucepan, measuring cup and bowl. Also ice cream stick, eucalyptus oil and camphor oil (from e-bay). Put bowl and Vicks or cheaper Coles equivalent still in container without lid on bowl in sauce pan (take some out before to give you volume. Put small amount water in sauce pan and bring to boil. Simmer gently & wait for rub to slowly melt (~10 min). Turn off gas. Wear glasses. Then add say 10 ml of eucalyptus oil, mix and then say 8 ml of camphor oil and mix. Allow to cool or put in fridge to solidify again. It is a much better product than what is sold!
Unable to contact anyone on the Vicks Vaporub website. They don't really want you to contact them, it just looks that way. No real link to contact them. I am so disappointed. Paid over $7 for a tiny jar of what I thought was the Vicks of the past. Wow, it isn't even close and I've wasted my money. If anyone knows of a product that smells like the old Vicks, let us know? Vicks is ruined now.
Target brand is pretty close to old Vicks formula.
Jones Formula 23 is wonderful! I have used it for years. All natural. One 4 ounce container last me about a year and I use it all the time. The only difference is you need to keep applying, whereas the Vicks gel lasted longer. I guarantee you will be pleased with this product!
I thought I’d lost my sense of smell. The Vick’s rub smells nothing like it used to. Will it ever return to the original formula?
I contacted the makers of vick and was told it was the same recipe but they added nutmeg i dont need to bake with it i need it to unblock my nose even tv advert should be banned as false advertising as it doesent do as its stated
I have an old empty Vicks bottle that smells much stronger than the full one does. I want my old Vicks back !!
Has anyone from Proctor and Gamble paid any attention to these comments? If so please advise if and when your product will be manufactured to original formula?
Theres no eucolyptus in the new vicks i noticed
My Vick vapour rub as hardly any smell at all not at all like the old recipe, l might as well of bought a jar of petroleum jelly as by this. What they say on the box is a complete lie as far as lm concern false advertising. I'm sure there are people out there who would agree. Why as it been changed can anyone answer that?
I also hate the new smell (I think it smells like cinnamon and other spices more than menthol, etc.) and I won't use it because of that, so I can't comment on the effectiveness. I don't know the answer to the question but I wonder if it has anything to do with this report that I found,
external link
Impaired Breathing
In January 2009, B.K. Rubin and researchers reported the first known cases of breathing problems occurring after Vicks Vapor Rub use, particularly in children. In the initial patient and in ongoing follow-up studies in animals and reports in patients, Vicks appeared to increase mucus production, increase fluids in the lungs and make airways less clear, causing worsened breathing in patients. In particular, application of Vicks Vapor Rub ointment into the nasal passages can result in respiratory distress and lung problems, such as pneumonia; however, Rubin suggests that even application of Vicks away from the chest and nasal areas is not warranted. As of April 2010, additional published information is necessary to identify people most at risk, although young children with smaller airways are likely at high risk.
Totally agree, Vicks has losts its smell and that is how it used to work, the smell would clear your airways, now it's useless.
The makers of vicks vaporub likely changed the country to manufacture the gel in and the ingredients are likely not as good
---- shame on all the companies who changed their formulas on a once good product turned into trash
I just use Fishermans friend lozenges with menthol nowdays when I have a cold or a flu
Another option is to buy and use the Woolworths brand rub for colds and flus
I too had a most disappointing experience with the new formula. I read in a review that the Woolworth generic brand is as good as the old Vicks formula. Unfortunately for there's no Woolworth nearby, so I'll have to find some other generic product as I'm not buying Vicks ever again.
I agree as I have used "Help @ Hand 100g jar"from Woolworths containing Menthol and Eucalyptus although not as good as the original Vicks is is way better than the rubbish sold by Vicks now. I also will not buy Vicks ever again.
You an buy Vicks at any supermarket or chemist. But I truly would not bother as it no longer works. Better to go to Woolworths Supermarket and get the Woolworths brand.
Looks like this question has already been answered so no need for any further imput
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