Who is the actress in the new Vaseline commercial?
By Carmichael Phillip
When a commercial for a major brand like Vaseline drops and you ask yourself “Who is that actress?”, it’s natural to want to dig in and find the name, the back-story, and the significance of her appearance. In this article, I’ll walk you through the answer, the actress, the campaign, and why it matters.
Answer: The Actress Is Regina King
The actress featured in the “new” Vaseline commercial (specifically the 2024 spot for Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Lotion, titled “Looking Radiant”) is Regina King. According to campaign listings and advertising trackers, Regina King appears as the spokesperson for Vaseline’s “Cocoa Radiant” line, guiding the narrative of the ad.
In the commercial, the storyline positions a woman applying the lotion, watching Regina King on a talk show, and then being inspired to step out confidently — King, via the TV screen, encourages her not to hide her glow (“Skin esteem is a beautiful thing”).
So, if you’ve seen a recent Vaseline commercial where a sophisticated, familiar-face actress appears and you wondered who that is — it’s Regina King.
Why Regina King Was Chosen for the Campaign
Vaseline ‘Your Skin Story: Grandma’ Featuring Regina King
There are several reasons why Regina King is a strong choice for Vaseline’s advertising strategy:
Credibility & Recognition: Regina King is an Academy Award–winning actress with a distinguished career in both film and television.
Her presence lends immediate gravitas and familiarity to the campaign.
Alignment with Brand Values: Vaseline’s messaging often revolves around inclusive beauty, skin health, self-esteem, and diverse representation. For example, one of their campaigns is titled “Equitable Skincare for All” referencing the tagline “one-of-a-kind skin.”
Regina King, as a public figure, aligns with those themes of empowerment, self-worth, and representation.
Visual & Emotional Narrative: In the ad “Looking Radiant,” the storyline uses Regina King to provide a moment of internal dialogue (“Don’t cover your glow”), which allows the viewer to internalize that message. The star’s presence therefore isn’t just decorative—she plays a role in the narrative arc of the ad.
Memorable for the Audience: Using a known and respected actress helps the ad stand out in the crowded skincare space. Seeing a familiar face can make viewers pause, remember the message, and associate it with the brand.
So the selection of Regina King reflects both creative and strategic thinking on Vaseline’s part.
What the Commercial Actually Shows and Its Significance
It’s worth diving into the actual commercial and understanding its message:
The product being featured is Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Lotion, part of the Vaseline Intensive Care line. The “Looking Radiant” ad is from 2024 and is meant to highlight how the lotion gives visible glow, confidence, and skin comfort.
The narrative: A woman applies the lotion while watching a TV talk show segment featuring Regina King. Her skin glows, she instinctively reaches for a cardigan (as if to cover herself), but Regina, via the TV screen, encourages her not to hide the glow. She leaves the cardigan and walks confidently outside. Throughout, there are visuals of posters/magazines showing the radiant skin.
Tagline & key message: “Skin esteem is a beautiful thing.” The ad plays on socio-cultural themes of embracing your skin, not concealing it, and feeling confident in your natural glow. This helps Vaseline elevate the message from mere “moisturizing” to “self-esteem through skin health.”
Significance: In the skincare market, many ads focus purely on technical benefits (e.g., “reduces dryness”, “strengthens barrier”). This ad adds the emotional layer — the confidence of showing your skin instead of hiding it. Thus, the actress’s role is not only to represent the product but to embody the idea of visible, unashamed skin.
Audience connection: Particularly in communities of color and for skin of deeper tones, “radiant skin” narratives have unique resonance. The campaign ties into Vaseline’s broader efforts around representation (see “See My Skin” initiative) which addresses how skincare is portrayed for people of color.
So the commercial is more than just “actress applies lotion” — it has a storyline, values, and a strong link between the star and the meaning of the campaign.
What You Should Know About Regina King’s Career & Why It Matters Here
Regina King career retrospective clip
To fully appreciate why Regina King’s casting is meaningful, here is a short overview of her career and how it connects:
Regina King was born January 15, 1971, in Los Angeles, California.
She has had a long career in TV and film: notable roles include her early work on the TV show 227, a breakout film appearance in Boyz n the Hood (1991), and later major roles in Ray (2004) and If Beale Street Could Talk (2018).
She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for If Beale Street Could Talk, cementing her status as a respected actor in Hollywood.
She has also branched into directing and producing, reinforcing her industry credibility.
With this level of recognition, when she appears in a commercial, it carries more weight than a typical endorsement. Her image suggests authenticity and quality.
For this Vaseline campaign, her role isn’t just a cameo — she is positioned as the face of a brand initiative that emphasises empowerment, visibility, and self-esteem. That elevates the campaign from purely transactional to aspirational.
In short: Regina King is not just a famous face, but one whose presence aligns thematically with what the brand is trying to say.
What to Look Out for (and Why It May Matter for You)
Now that you know the actress, here are some aspects you might want to keep in mind — especially if you’re noticing this commercial on TV, online, or via social media and are intrigued:
Campaign timing: The “Looking Radiant” spot is from late 2024 (published November 2024) according to tracking data.
If you saw a “brand new” commercial, this may align pretty closely with what you saw or about to see.
Regional vs global versions: The ad we referenced is the U.S. version (with Regina King). If you saw a version of the ad in another country or region, the actress might differ (brands often localise campaigns).
Product line: This particular ad promotes the “Cocoa Radiant” line, which is targeted especially at women with deeper skin tones and emphasises visible radiance and confidence. If your ad showed a different product (e.g., “Deep Moisture”, “Spray & Go”, “Lip Therapy”), the actress might be different.
Social media vs TV versions: Commercial cuts for Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok may sometimes feature influencer-style content rather than the main star. If you saw a shorter or altered version, it may still feature Regina King but might also include other talent.
Implication for you: If you like the ad and feel inspired by the messaging (“my skin is my story”, “I don’t cover my glow”), then knowing the face behind it can reinforce your connection to the campaign. It also might help you follow the brand’s other efforts (e.g., social campaigns or initiatives around skin confidence).
So if you’re seeing a new-look Vaseline commercial and thinking “Hey — I recognise that lady!”, the answer is: likely Regina King, at least in the U.S. “Looking Radiant” spot.
Final Thoughts
To recap: The actress you asked about — “Who is the actress in the new Vaseline commercial?” — is Regina King. She appears in Vaseline’s 2024 “Looking Radiant” campaign for the Cocoa Radiant line and the ad uses her as a voice of empowerment and confidence for the viewer. Her involvement adds depth and relevance to the campaign beyond standard skincare marketing.
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