Aquaphor is the MVP of my head-to-toe skin care — here are all the ways to use it
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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:
Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment
This massive tub of Aquaphor has a permanent spot on my nightstand for a reason: It lasts for ages, and I can easily slather it everywhere (face, hands, feet, etc.) before bed, knowing I’ll be all set till morning. It effortlessly softens rough patches, quells redness and irritation, and leaves my skin looking soft and dewy by the time I wake up. Sometimes I’ll even layer it on top of Eau Thermale Avène’s Thermal Spring Water Spray to help boost its soothing properties, which is a simple yet wildly effective trick that works wonders at making skin irritations disappear. Speaking of which, I also use it on cuts, scrapes, razor burn and chafed skin, and it never — I mean never — lets me down.
Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick
This handy multiuse beauty stick is much newer to me than the OG ointment, but I absolutely adore it for when I’m on the go and need a dose of skin nourishment. Being in convenient swivel-stick form makes it super easy to apply, plus there’s zero mess. It’s also far less heavy than the ointment, so it’s especially ideal for daytime when I’m not trying to look like a glazed donut. Some of my favorite spots to use it include my lips, cuticles and knuckles, as well as slicked through my strands as a makeshift hair gel to keep them in place.
Unlike the ointment, it only contains 30% petrolatum, along with other MVP ingredients like avocado oil, beeswax, shea butter and vitamin E. Additionally, it has panthenol, glycerin and bisabolol, just like the original formula.
Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray
I love using this innovative spray ointment on my body on days when I’m feeling extra dry but don’t want to feel sticky. It goes on super light, sinks in quickly and only leaves a light sheen behind instead of making my skin look greasy. I typically apply it post-shower on top of regular moisturizer (something like Cetaphil’s Moisturizing Cream) to seal in hydration and protect against water loss. It’s also a great formula for traveling — and for anyone who wants to reap the benefits of Aquaphor without the greasiness.
Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick + Sunscreen
Aquaphor with SPF in it? Say less. The original Lip Repair was my staple lip balm for years, but once the brand introduced a version with sunscreen in it, I bought it and never looked back. As for what I love about it: It doesn’t smell or taste like sunscreen, it keeps cracks and flakes at bay, it softens my lip lines and it leaves my pout lookin’ a little plumper to boot. In addition to chemical filters, which provide broad-spectrum SPF protection, it also contains heroes like castor seed oil, shea butter and beeswax, along with a powerhouse blend of jojoba, sunflower seed and vitamin E oils. Not only does it expertly eradicate dry lip symptoms but it protects against UV damage, which the thin skin of our lips is especially vulnerable to. Bury me with the stuff please.
Aquaphor 1% Hydrocortisone Itch Relief Ointment
While I don’t use this guy all the time, I love having it on hand for when I’m feeling — you guessed it — itchy. It contains all the same comforting ingredients as the OG ointment, along with 1% hydrocortisone to help kick stubborn itch to the curb. It stops me from scratching more or less instantly (and in turn, disrupting my barrier and making the situation worse) and also works great on bug bites, hives and basically any type of allergic skin reaction. I rest my case.
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