When Should You Use Vaseline vs. Aquaphor?

Whether you’re looking for celebrity secrets to glowing skin or looking for relief from winter dryness, you’ll likely come across two products time and time again: Vaseline and Aquaphor. And not without reason: the two skin care products contain a powerful ingredient common: Petrolatum (aka Vaseline). But even though Vaseline and Aquaphor do both Although they have been virtually synonymous with skin healing for decades, they are not Actually interchangeable.

So, when should you use one over the other? We asked board-certified dermatologists Dr. Tia Paulfounder of Balanced Skin Dermatology and Aesthetics in Newport Beach, California, and Dr. Kavya Desai from American dermatology partners Fairfax in Virginia Unpleasant give us the overview before us.

What is Vaseline?

Vaseline is pure petrolatum, a semi-solid jelly-like substance that is formed during the processing of petroleum. There are no other ingredients in Vaseline, but don’t worry: Vaseline, also called petroleum jelly, is a powerhouse in its own right. Petroleum jelly is occlusive, which it means can create a water-resistant barrier on the skin to retain moisture.

Benefits and uses of Vaseline

Because Vaseline is nothing more than pure Vaseline, it is recommended if you need its occlusive effect.

• Keeping moisture locked in as the outer layer of skin heals from minor scrapes, burns and other injuries.
• Preventing skin infections at surgical sites after surgery by keeping the skin moist.
• Protects the skin against environmental irritants, such as cold winter temperatures and wind.
• Applied after showering on slightly damp skin to slow the evaporation of hydration.
• Layered on top of facial and body lotions to keep the hydration in (also known as “snails“)
• Prevents skin discoloration during hair coloring by acting as a barrier between skin and dye

When to use Vaseline instead of Aquaphor?

“Although they can be used often together, Vaseline is sometimes preferred in wound care,” says Dr. Desai. “In wound care, protecting the surgical site from the outside world can be extremely important. The occlusive effects of pure petroleum jelly can help create a strong barrier between the underlying skin and the outside environment (bacteria and other organisms) to prevent postoperative wound infection,” she explains. Research also found that postoperative wound redness and swelling decreased with regular petroleum jelly compared to Aquafor.

Dr. Desai and Dr. Paul also like Vaseline for general hydration –just now take your skin type into account. “People with oily or acne-prone skin may want to avoid Vaseline, as it can clog pores,” says Dr. Paul.

What is Aquafor?

Aquaphor is a semi-occlusive formulation with 41% petrolatum and panthenol, glycerin and lanolin alcohol. Just like Vaseline, the Vaseline in Aquaphor retains moisture in the skin, but because it is not pure Vaseline, it also ensures the supply of oxygen. Aquaphor’s other ingredients do some heavy lifting at—lanolin is a natural moisturizer derived from sheep’s wool, glycerin hydrates the skin before petroleum jelly locks in hydration, and panthenol, a form of vitamin B5 that retains moisture and smooths and softens the skin.

Benefits and uses of Aquaphor

Aquaphor has some of the occlusive benefits of Vaseline So it can also be used for healing of minor abrasions, burns and other injuries, postoperative wound care, hydration after showering, protection of the skin against cold temperatures and wind, and skin care slags. But the lower percentage of Vaseline and the additional ingredients also make Aquaphor a good option for a number of additional applications:

• Hydrates and protects dry skin
• Moisturizing skin and repairing the skin barrier in people with eczema, a chronic condition that weakens the skin’s barrier function and causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin
• Improvement of skin conditions infants
• To deal with keratosis pilarisa chronic condition that blocks hair follicles and causes dry, rough patches and small bumps on the skin

When do you use Aquaphor instead of Vaseline?

Since Aquaphor is 41% Vaselinewhich is 100% petroleum jelly, you get many of the same skin barrier benefits. If you’re wondering if Aquaphor might be the better option for you than Vaseline, take a look at the additional ingredients in Aquaphor. “These additives aid in deeper moisture by improving hydration and improving skin barrier function,” says Dr. Paul.

Glycerin makes a big difference if you have eczema or dry skin. “Individuals with eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) have increased transepidermal water loss due to impaired skin barrier function,” explains Dr. Desai out. While the petroleum jelly in both Vaseline and Aquaphor can prevent further water loss and help restore skin barrier function, Aquaphor also contains glycerin, a humectant. “Humectants have the added benefit of helping hydrate skin that has experienced transepidermal water loss,” she says. “This is what makes Aquaphor a great option for patients with eczema or dry skin.”

According to Dr. Paul, Aquaphor may also be better for extremely dry, cracked skin and healing minor skin irritation. “It provides extra hydration and barrier protection beyond what Vaseline provides,” she says. In other words, break out the Aquaphor when your skin has extra needs simple moisturizing.

Another bonus? Aquaphor may feel less greasy skin as that’s something That icks you out. “Because Aquaphor contains a lower percentage of petroleum jelly, some people feel that it is less greasy and heavy on the skin than petroleum jelly,” says Dr. Desai.

Risks of Vaseline and Aquaphor

Whether you use Vaseline or Aquaphor, Dr. Paul warns against overdoing it. “Overuse of petroleum jelly or aquaphor, especially for slugging, can lead to acne or clogged pores,” she says. Dr. Desai also says to keep the rest of your skincare routine in mind. “If you use on top of retinoid or retinol products at night, you may notice an increased potency of the retinoids, making the skin more irritated and drier.”

And while you can use both for wound care, Vaseline and Aquaphor are not a substitute for a visit to the doctor. “Both can trap bacteria if used on damaged or infected skin,” warns Dr. Paul. If you have a deep or open wound, an injury from an animal bite, or a severe burn, you should have your skin assessed by a medical professional before using either, adds Dr. Desai to it.“If there is an infection present, that is important that the infection is tackled before using occlusive moisturizers.”

When it comes to Aquaphor specifically, there is an additional (rare) risk to take into account because of the lanolin. “There are people who have a skin allergy to lanolin. This means they develop red, itchy bumps (or sometimes blisters) on the areas of the skin exposed to lanolin,” says Dr. Desai. “If you experience this reaction, it is recommended that you avoid Aquaphor. That is a lanolin allergy very unusualSo most people won’t have a problem with it.”

The end result of Vaseline versus Aquaphor

Both Vaseline and Aquaphor are great skin care products, and you’ll likely find plenty of uses for both. Keep both on hand, and you’re all set, whether you need a super-powerful occlusive that acts as a skin barrier seal or a semi-occlusive that can hydrate and hydrate at the same time.