As far as deserted-island products go, Aquaphor is my be-all and end-all. Forget about foundation, mascara or any fancy-shmancy serums for that matter. I can confidently say without hesitation that the humble, multipurpose healing ointment is my holy grail and easily the number-one most-used product in my skin care collection. It’s also the product I’ve been using the longest. Case in point: My mom started slathering it on my skin when I was a baby because I was born with a rare chronic condition called Netherton syndrome, which causes symptoms like intense dryness, rough patches and rashes.
In a sea of lotions and creams, Aquaphor was the only product that could effectively calm my compromised skin and speed up healing when it was in a worse-for-wear state (see: red, raw and irritated). Now, at 30 years old, I’m still completely loyal to the petrolatum-based ointment. So much so that I keep a jumbo-sized jar on my nightstand, a travel-sized tube in every bag I own and the lip balm in all my coat pockets. Heck, I even keep one in my car in case I have a dry-skin emergency.
Considering my immense love for the stuff, I thought why not write a little ode to my must-have skin care essential? Ahead, learn about my all-time favorite formulas and how I use them to help my hypersensitive skin, plus a few “off-label” ways I like to use Aquaphor in my beauty routine.
What is Aquaphor?
In addition to 41% petrolatum, Aquaphor contains other skin-nourishing ingredients like panthenol (vitamin B5), glycerin, lanolin and bisabolol. Sure, the ultra-rich, greasy formula might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a serious godsend for severely dry-skinned girlies like me. The occlusive ointment is perfect for slugging and protecting the skin from the environment.
Can Aquaphor be used on your face?
Before I dive into my go-to formulas, let’s discuss how Aquaphor actually works and why it’s beneficial for your face and skin. As board-certified dermatologist Dr. Adam Friedman explains, “Barrier products that are ointment-based create an ideal skin-healing environment by both occluding the skin and maintaining moisture where it’s needed.” In other words, ointments like Aquaphor act as a protective barrier that shields the skin from external irritants while sealing in moisture to help reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). It keeps the good stuff (hydration) in and the bad guys (bacteria and so on) out, thus creating an optimal environment for skin to repair itself.
Fun fact: Friedman says that using an ointment-based moisturizer like Aquaphor on a wound has shown to be equivalent to applying a Band-Aid.
Ways to use Aquaphor
Aquaphor is one of those super-handy multiuse products that can be applied for an array of moisturizing purposes, from nourishing dry cuticles to softening rough elbows or knees. It can be applied directly to dry skin or on damp skin to lock in moisture. I personally like to apply a thin layer of the soothing ointment as the last step in my skin care routine to seal everything in and help enhance the penetration of my serums and other treatments. Some of my other favorite ways to use Aquaphor include:
- Applied on top of a soothing facial spray as a makeshift calming mask.
- To help break down stubborn makeup, such as waterproof mascara.
- Mixed with salt or sugar to create a highly effective lip exfoliator.
- As a hand and cuticle moisturizer.
- Applied anywhere I have redness or irritation to help calm the skin.
- Slicked through my brows to help keep them in place.
- Applied underneath or on top of lipstick to keep my lips hydrated and smooth.
- Applied on the tops of cheekbones for a natural-looking highlight.
Now, for my favorite Aquaphor products:
