The Key Distinction and When to Use

If you attain in your skincare balm of selection, are you going for Aquaphor or Vaseline? These merchandise are wildly fashionable—even amongst those that aren’t skincare fans—and are often used to guard and soothe irritated, dry pores and skin or lips. However whereas they each moisturize and shield, there are some distinct variations between these merchandise by way of formulation, really feel, and extra.

We requested board-certified dermatologists Purvisha Patel, MD, and Richard Bottiglione, MD, to interrupt down the variations between Aquaphor and Vaseline and when (and the way) to make use of every. Maintain studying to search out out what they needed to say.

What Is Aquaphor?

Aquaphor is a skincare ointment containing petroleum jelly alongside substances like lanolin, glycerin, bisabolol, and panthenol. These substances make the product extremely moisturizing and efficient for soothing, defending, and therapeutic dry, chapped lips, and dry, irritated, or cracked pores and skin. It creates a protecting barrier, serving to to lock in moisture on the pores and skin.

In contrast with Vaseline, “Aquaphor has a lighter spreadable texture and absorbs into the pores and skin simpler,” says Patel. “Vaseline is thicker and extra occlusive and barrier-like.”

Vaseline tends to be greasier, whereas Aquaphor’s formulation is extra water-soluble (because of the inclusion of glycerin), so it tends to really feel a bit lighter on the pores and skin, provides Bottiglione.

What Is Vaseline?

There is a good probability you’ve got had a bath of Vaseline in your drugs cupboard your complete life—and for good motive. Vaseline is a trusted and beloved skincare staple made from 100% petroleum jelly. It is generally used to deal with dry, irritated, and chapped pores and skin. It helps seal in moisture and likewise creates a protecting barrier that shields your pores and skin from water and different environmental parts because it heals. “It is pure petroleum jelly, which is an occlusive, so it traps in water,” Patel explains.

When to Use Every

Deciding whether or not to make use of Aquaphor or Vaseline usually comes down to non-public desire. Bottiglione says you should utilize both on any irritated space: “It actually relies on… whether or not you [prefer an] oily really feel or extra of an in-between,” he says.

Neither product has an energetic ingredient: Each perform as protecting ointments. Some individuals want the feel of Aquaphor as a result of it is a bit much less greasy than Vaseline, however others like Vaseline’s greasier really feel and the way nicely it really works to assist dry pores and skin, he factors out. “Should you want the extra substances within the Aquaphor then it is a private desire,” he provides.

That mentioned, a number of conditions that may encourage you to decide on one over the opposite. This is some extra data:

Vaseline

Vaseline could be helpful for people who find themselves coping with dry, delicate pores and skin, in addition to these with dry, cracked lips, Patel says. It additionally protects the pores and skin from getting moist and provides a pleasant barrier that may assist forestall chafing. “It’s used extra as an occlusive agent to guard pores and skin, forestall chafing, and act as a barrier for minor cuts,” Patel says.

Aquaphor

In line with Patel, Aquaphor could be helpful for therapeutic dry, cracked pores and skin and soothing minor cuts and burns. It is also efficient as a moisturizer for tough, dry pores and skin, and might provide aid for cracked and dry lips.

The Ultimate Takeaway

Vaseline and Aquaphor are protecting ointments that may come in useful once you’re seeking to deal with dry, cracked pores and skin and lips, forestall chafing, and soothe irritated pores and skin. However the formulations are a bit completely different: Vaseline is pure petroleum jelly whereas Aquaphor incorporates petroleum jelly plus another substances like lanolin, glycerin, bisabolol, mineral oil, and panthenol. When it comes to really feel, Vaseline is a bit heavier and greasier, whereas Aquaphor is a bit lighter and simpler to unfold. Dermatologists say deciding which one to make use of usually comes down to non-public desire.

One factor to remember is that you’re going to need to use warning with these merchandise in case your pores and skin is liable to breakouts. “Each are good for all pores and skin varieties, however each may also improve breakouts in acne-prone pores and skin,” Patel says.