When to Use Vaseline vs. Aquaphor

Whether or not you are trying up celeb secrets and techniques for glowy pores and skin or looking for reduction from winter dryness, you are more likely to run into two merchandise time and again: Vaseline and Aquaphor. And for good cause: The 2 skincare staples have a strong ingredient in widespread—petrolatum (often known as petroleum jelly). However regardless that Vaseline and Aquaphor have each been virtually synonymous with pores and skin therapeutic for many years, they don’t seem to be really interchangeable.

So, when do you have to use one over the opposite? We requested board-certified dermatologists Dr. Tia Paul, founding father of Balanced Pores and skin Dermatology and Aesthetics in Newport Seashore, California, and Dr. Kavya Desai of U.S. Dermatology Companions Fairfax in Virginia to give us the lowdown forward.

What’s Vaseline?

Vaseline is pure petrolatum, a semisolid jelly-like substance created from the processing of petroleum oil. There aren’t any different substances in Vaseline, however don’t worry—petrolatum, aka petroleum jelly, is a powerhouse all by itself. Petroleum jelly is occlusive, which means it can create a water resistant barrier on the pores and skin to lock in moisture.

Advantages and makes use of of Vaseline

As a result of Vaseline is nothing however pure petroleum jelly, it is a go-to if you want its occlusive powers.

• Preserving moisture locked in when the outermost layer of pores and skin is therapeutic from minor scrapes, burns, and different accidents.
• Stopping pores and skin infections in surgical websites after surgical procedure by retaining pores and skin moist.
• Defending pores and skin from environmental irritants, like chilly winter temperatures and wind.
• Utilized after a bathe on barely damp pores and skin to gradual the evaporation of hydration.
• Layered on high of face and physique lotions to maintain hydration sealed in (often known as “slugging“)
• Stopping pores and skin staining throughout hair coloring by appearing as a barrier between pores and skin and dye

When to make use of Vaseline as a substitute of Aquaphor

“Though they’ll typically be used interchangeably, Vaseline is typically most well-liked in wound care,” Dr. Desai says. “In wound care, defending the surgical web site from the surface surroundings could be extraordinarily vital. The occlusive results of pure petroleum jelly may help create a robust barrier between the underlying pores and skin and outdoors surroundings (micro organism and different organisms) to stop postoperative surgical web site an infection,” she explains. Analysis has additionally discovered postoperative wound redness and swelling decreased with plain petrolatum in contrast with Aquaphor.

Associated Tales

Dr. Desai and Dr. Paul additionally like Vaseline for basic moisturizing—simply hold your pores and skin kind in thoughts. “Folks with oily or acne-prone pores and skin might need to keep away from Vaseline as it may possibly clog pores,” says Dr. Paul.

What’s Aquaphor?

Aquaphor is a semi-occlusive formulation with 41% petroleum jelly and panthenol, glycerin, and lanolin alcohol. Like Vaseline, the petroleum jelly in Aquaphor retains moisture within the pores and skin—however as a result of it isn’t pure petroleum jelly, it additionally permits for the stream of oxygen. Aquaphor’s different substances do some heavy lifting too—lanolin is a pure moisturizer derived from sheep’s wool, glycerin hydrates the pores and skin earlier than petroleum jelly locks within the hydration, and panthenol, a type of vitamin B5 that holds in moisture and smooths and softens pores and skin.

Advantages and makes use of of Aquaphor

Aquaphor has a few of Vaseline’s occlusive advantages so it may also be used for therapeutic from minor scrapes, burns, and different accidents, post-surgical wound care, post-shower hydration, defending pores and skin from chilly temperatures and wind, and skincare slugging. However the decrease share of petroleum jelly and the extra substances additionally make Aquaphor a superb choice for some extra makes use of:

• Moisturizing and defending dry pores and skin
• Hydrating pores and skin and restoring the pores and skin barrier in individuals with eczema, a persistent situation that weakens the pores and skin’s barrier operate and causes dry, itchy, and infected pores and skin
• Bettering pores and skin circumstances in infants
• Treating keratosis pilaris, a persistent situation that blocks hair follicles and causes dry, tough patches and tiny bumps on the pores and skin

When to make use of Aquaphor as a substitute of Vaseline

Since Aquaphor is 41% petroleum jelly, which makes up 100% of Vaseline, you get a whole lot of the identical pores and skin barrier advantages. In case you’re questioning whether or not Aquaphor may be the higher choice for you versus Vaseline, look to the extra substances present in Aquaphor. “These components assist with deeper moisture by enhancing hydration and bettering pores and skin barrier operate,” Dr. Paul says.

Glycerin makes a giant distinction you probably have eczema or dry pores and skin. “People with eczema (often known as atopic dermatitis) have elevated transepidermal water loss attributable to decreased pores and skin barrier operate,” Dr. Desai explains. Whereas the petroleum jelly in each Vaseline and Aquaphor can forestall additional water loss and assist restore pores and skin barrier operate, Aquaphor additionally comprises glycerin, a humectant. “Humectants have the additional advantage of serving to to hydrate pores and skin that has skilled transepidermal water loss,” she says. “This makes Aquaphor an awesome choice for sufferers with eczema or dry pores and skin.”

In keeping with Dr. Paul, Aquaphor may also be higher for very dry, cracked pores and skin and therapeutic minor pores and skin irritation. “It gives extra hydration and barrier safety past what Vaseline provides,” she says. In different phrases, escape the Aquaphor when your pores and skin has further wants past fundamental moisturizing.

One other bonus? Aquaphor can really feel much less greasy on pores and skin if that is one thing that icks you out. “Because of Aquaphor containing a decrease share of petroleum jelly, some individuals really feel that it’s much less greasy and heavy on the pores and skin than Vaseline,” Dr. Desai says.

Dangers of Vaseline and Aquaphor

Whether or not you attain for Vaseline or Aquaphor, Dr. Paul cautions in opposition to overdoing it. “Overuse of Vaseline or Aquaphor, particularly for “slugging,” can result in pimples or clogged pores,” she says. Dr. Desai additionally says to maintain the remainder of your skincare routine in thoughts. “When used on high of retinoid or retinol merchandise at evening, chances are you’ll discover elevated efficiency of the retinoids, inflicting the pores and skin to get extra irritated and dry.”

And although you need to use each for wound care, neither Vaseline nor Aquaphor is an alternative to a go to to the physician. “Each can entice micro organism if used on damaged or contaminated pores and skin,” Dr. Paul warns. When you’ve got a deep or open wound, an damage from an animal chew, or a extreme burn, it’s best to have your pores and skin evaluated by a medical skilled earlier than utilizing both, Dr. Desai provides.“If there’s an an infection current, it will be significant that the an infection is addressed earlier than occlusive moisturizers are used.”

In relation to Aquaphor particularly, there’s one extra (uncommon) danger to bear in mind due to the lanolin. “There are some individuals who do have a pores and skin allergy to lanolin. This implies that they develop crimson, itchy bumps (or typically blisters) within the areas of pores and skin uncovered to lanolin,” Dr. Desai says. “In case you expertise this response, it’s endorsed to keep away from Aquaphor. A lanolin allergy is fairly unusual, so most individuals will not have any issues with it.”

The underside line on Vaseline vs. Aquaphor

Each Vaseline and Aquaphor are nice skincare staples, and you’ll seemingly discover loads of makes use of for each. Hold each helpful, and you will be all set whether or not you want a superpowered occlusive that acts as a pores and skin barrier seal or a semi-occlusive that may concurrently hydrate and moisturize.