When to Use Vaseline vs. Aquaphor

Whether or not you are wanting up superstar secrets and techniques for glowy pores and skin or searching for reduction from winter dryness, you are more likely to run into two merchandise many times: Vaseline and Aquaphor. And for good purpose: The 2 skincare staples have a strong ingredient in widespread—petrolatum (also called petroleum jelly). However despite the fact that Vaseline and Aquaphor have each been virtually synonymous with pores and skin therapeutic for many years, they are not really interchangeable.

So, when must you 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 components 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.

• Protecting 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 sluggish the evaporation of hydration.
• Layered on high of face and physique lotions to maintain hydration sealed in (also called “slugging“)
• Stopping pores and skin staining throughout hair coloring by performing as a barrier between pores and skin and dye

When to make use of Vaseline as a substitute of Aquaphor

“Though they will usually be used interchangeably, Vaseline is usually most well-liked in wound care,” Dr. Desai says. “In wound care, defending the surgical web site from the skin atmosphere might be extraordinarily essential. The occlusive results of pure petroleum jelly will help create a robust barrier between the underlying pores and skin and out of doors atmosphere (micro organism and different organisms) to forestall 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 maintain your pores and skin sort in thoughts. “Individuals with oily or acne-prone pores and skin might wish to keep away from Vaseline as it may well 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 circulation of oxygen. Aquaphor’s different components 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 will 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 proportion of petroleum jelly and the extra components additionally make Aquaphor a great 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 folks with eczema, a continual situation that weakens the pores and skin’s barrier operate and causes dry, itchy, and infected pores and skin
• Enhancing pores and skin situations in infants
• Treating keratosis pilaris, a continual 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 quite a lot of the identical pores and skin barrier advantages. If you happen to’re questioning whether or not Aquaphor may be the higher choice for you versus Vaseline, look to the extra components present in Aquaphor. “These components assist with deeper moisture by enhancing hydration and enhancing pores and skin barrier operate,” Dr. Paul says.

Glycerin makes a giant distinction when you’ve got eczema or dry pores and skin. “People with eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) have elevated transepidermal water loss because of decreased pores and skin barrier operate,” Dr. Desai explains. Whereas the petroleum jelly in each Vaseline and Aquaphor can stop additional water loss and assist restore pores and skin barrier operate, Aquaphor additionally comprises glycerin, a humectant. “Humectants have the additional benefit of serving to to hydrate pores and skin that has skilled transepidermal water loss,” she says. “This makes Aquaphor an amazing choice for sufferers with eczema or dry pores and skin.”

Based on Dr. Paul, Aquaphor will also be higher for terribly dry, cracked pores and skin and therapeutic minor pores and skin irritation. “It supplies 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. “Attributable to Aquaphor containing a decrease proportion of petroleum jelly, some folks 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 zits 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, you could discover elevated efficiency of the retinoids, inflicting the pores and skin to get extra irritated and dry.”

And although you should utilize 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 have a deep or open wound, an harm from an animal chew, or a extreme burn, you must have your pores and skin evaluated by a medical skilled earlier than utilizing both, Dr. Desai provides.“If there may be an an infection current, it is necessary that the an infection is addressed earlier than occlusive moisturizers are used.”

Relating to Aquaphor particularly, there’s one extra (uncommon) danger to remember due to the lanolin. “There are some individuals who do have a pores and skin allergy to lanolin. This signifies that they develop purple, itchy bumps (or typically blisters) within the areas of pores and skin uncovered to lanolin,” Dr. Desai says. “If you happen to expertise this response, it is suggested 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 doubtless discover loads of makes use of for each. Hold each useful, 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.