Aquaphor vs. Vaseline: Which Is Better for Your Dry, Flaky Skin?
Courtesy of Unilever, Beiersdorf
If you’re dealing with dry, flaking skin that’s desperate for relief, you may be wondering whether you should turn to Aquaphor or Vaseline. At first glance, these moisturizers might seem like the same thing with different labels—they’re both ultra-thick, soothing, and perfect for when a basic body lotion or lip balm falls short. But actually, there are a few key distinctions to keep in mind, and knowing each product’s unique benefits can help you level up your skin care routine.
To start with the similarities, Aquaphor and Vaseline share the same main ingredient: Petrolatum. This occlusive moisturizer gives them their signature rich, kinda greasy texture that’s great for a lot of things—like relieving cracked skin (including chapped lips), treating diaper rash, preventing chafing between your thighs or feet, and keeping minor cuts and scrapes hydrated to help them heal, Adeline Kikam, DO, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skinclusive Dermatology in Houston, tells SELF.
That said, each ointment has unique quirks that may make it better suited for certain situations, which is why choosing between them really boils down to what you’re looking for. To help you figure out whether Aquaphor or Vaseline is best for your needs, we asked dermatologists to compare and contrast the two skin care OGs.
What are the differences between Aquaphor and Vaseline?
1. Both are occlusive, but Aquaphor contains emollients and humectants too.
Vaseline is made of 100% petrolatum (a.k.a. petroleum jelly), an occlusive that helps skin retain existing moisture by sealing water in, Mina Amin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, tells SELF. Aquaphor Healing Ointment, on the other hand, only has 41% petrolatum: It also contains humectants (namely, glycerin and panthenol) to draw water into your skin, and emollients (lanolin alcohol, ceresin, and mineral oil), which fill in the cracks between your skin cells for a softening, smoothening effect.
Basically, this means that the petrolatum in both products will prevent water loss (and your skin and lips from drying out), Dr. Amin explains. However, Aquaphor’s additional ingredients provide a couple of extra benefits that Vaseline can’t deliver: Adding moisture and making your skin feel silky soft and smooth.
2. You’re more likely to get an allergic reaction with Aquaphor.
If you have sensitive skin, you may want to use Vaseline—just to be safe. That’s because Aquaphor contains lanolin, which is great for soothing and hydrating severely dry spots, Dr. Kikam says. However, it’s also a common allergen, especially for folks with eczema-prone or otherwise easily irritated skin, both derms agree. (In fact, lanolin was crowned Contact Allergen of the Year in 2023 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society.) Technically you can be allergic to pure petrolatum too, but Dr. Kikam notes that these reactions are really rare.
3. Generally, Vaseline is safer to use on open wounds.
Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly on a cut, scrape, or even a popped pimple will create a heavy-duty barrier to lock in moisture and protect the damaged skin as it heals, Dr. Kikam explains.
But given the lanolin concerns we mentioned above, both derms recommend opting for Vaseline on open wounds specifically (“since there’s a low risk of irritation with pure petrolatum,” Dr. Kikam says). To be clear, not everyone will have a bad reaction to Aquaphor; it’s just probably a smart move to play it safe. (One small study found that only 9% of participants using Vaseline on their surgical wounds experienced redness and swelling, whereas 33% had these issues with Aquaphor.)
4. Vaseline is also a bit thicker and greasier.
Even though Aquaphor and Vaseline have a very similar, balmlike consistency, there are actually some subtle differences. Again, Vaseline is made solely of petrolatum, which “has a large molecular size—meaning it can’t be easily absorbed into the skin,” Dr. Kikam says. That explains why Vaseline feels a little heavier, greasier, and thicker (like it’s sitting on the surface of your skin)—which can be game-changing for people with flaking or peeling patches in need of serious, long-lasting moisture, she says.
Aquaphor, on the other hand, is more lightweight and absorbs and spreads easily, according to Dr. Kikam (since it contains ingredients other than petrolatum that can penetrate your skin). So if you need something to hydrate your whole face and body (not just a few dry spots) that won’t turn you into a shiny slimeball, Aquaphor may be the better fit.
So which is better for dry skin?
There’s no universally “correct” answer, according to Dr. Kikam and Dr. Amin: It really just depends on your individual skin type and concerns, since both products can effectively moisturize dry or cracked areas in need of extra TLC (like your cuticles, heels, or elbows). You can also use them on your face, but proceed with caution if you have oily and acne-prone skin, both derms warn: Slathering either of these thick ointments onto your cheeks, forehead, or wherever (a.k.a. slugging) can trap natural oils in your pores, which may trigger even more breakouts.
If you want to get technical, though, “Aquaphor is the better moisturizer since it has humectants and emollients in addition to being occlusive,” Dr. Amin explains. Again, this trio works in tandem to actively pull water into your skin and seal that moisture in for hours on end, unlike Vaseline (which can only do the latter).
But there’s a catch for some people: While Aquaphor should, in theory, be more hydrating, it might actually have the opposite effect for anyone with an inflammatory condition like eczema or otherwise sensitive skin, Dr. Kikam says. As we mentioned above, some of Aquaphor’s ingredients (namely, lanolin) may trigger irritation or an allergic reaction, which can cause side effects like itchiness and even more dryness. (If these risks freak you out, both derms recommend patch testing by applying a thin, nickel-sized layer on the inside of your forearm and monitoring for rash-like symptoms—or playing it safe with Vaseline.)
Ultimately, no choice is objectively “better” than the other, the derms we spoke with agree, since it depends on your particular needs and sensitivities. And in fact, “a lot of people can use both without having any issues,” Dr. Kikam says. So now that you know the differences between Aquaphor and Vaseline, just pick the one that works best for your skin—and that you’ll actually want to slather on.
Related:
How to Hydrate Your Painfully Dry Skin When You’re Just Starting Retinol
What Exactly Is Your Skin Barrier and Do You Actually Have to ‘Repair’ It?
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Originally Appeared on SELF
