Aquaphor and Vaseline, the heal all ointments. When applied topically, these fragrance free and gentle ointments offer a number of uses, but which one should you reach for the next time you get a tattoo, or need some extra moisture on your lips or dry cracked hands? We are here to break down the difference between Aquaphor and Vaseline and guide you through which to purchase and to set in your medicine cabinet.
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Why We Chose Aquaphor and Vaseline
Vaseline is the original healing jelly, founded in 1870 by Robert Chesebrough, this stuff has been around for 140 years! Vaseline has the claims to back up their 100% pure petrolatum product. Vaseline claims to be the #1 dermatologist recommended ointment/jelly to treat dry, stressed, or sensitive skin.
Aquaphor was developed by Herman A. Metz in 1925, and since then Aquaphor’s unique blend of petrolatum, panthenol, and glycerine claims to offer what Vaseline can’t… oxygen flow to promote healing. Aquaphor claims to be the #1 dermatologist recommended ointment for dry/cracked skin, chapped lips, cracked cuticles, and dry feet/heels.
Both of these products claim to be the #1 ointment in very similar treatment areas and are the top two multi-purpose ointments on the market. We wanted to put these products to the test and to see which is the best ointment.
- 1 essential solution for many skin care needs: Use as a lip moisturizer, hand cream, foot cream for dry cracked feet, minor wound care and much more
- Different from a lotion or cream, this ointment nourishes skin while creating a protective barrier that allows for the flow of oxygen to create an ideal healing environment.Sulfate free
- Extreme weather conditions and frequent exposure to water, hand soap, and hand sanitizer can cause dry cracked hands and cuticles. Use Aquaphor healing ointment over night as a hand cream for dry hands to restore moisture to enhance healing
- Item Package Weight: 0.273kg
- Item Package Length: 7.4cm
- Item Package Width: 10.1cm
Pricing
When comparing the pricing between Aquaphor vs Vaseline, there is a somewhat large price difference. For about the same size container (13 oz.), Aquaphor will cost about $14 and Vaseline will cost about $5. Pricing will vary depending on where you shop. The reason for this appears to be the difference in ingredients that are used in each product. So is Aquaphor worth the higher cost? That’s what we’re here to tell you.
How We Tested
Ingredients
Aquaphor: 41% Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Ceresin, Lanolin Alcohol, Panthenol, Glycerin, and Bisabolol
Vaseline: 100% Pure White Petrolatum (triple purified formula)
The first question you may be wondering is what the heck is petrolatum? Petrolatum is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons that comes from petroleum. Petroleum is a naturally occurring liquid that exists in our earth’s surface and is mined for a number of reasons, including but not limited to: gasoline, asphalt and chemical reagents used to manufacture plastic and pharmaceuticals, as well as Aquaphor and Vaseline!
Aquaphor has a few more ingredients in its ointment, Mineral oil is derived from Petroleum and provides a hydrating layer when it is at a cosmetic grade. It is known not to clog pores and is added to many cosmetic products. Ceresin is similar to bee’s wax in that it’s often added to cosmetics to harden them. Lanolin Alcohol is a safe fatty alcohol that is commonly used to prevent moisture loss. Panthenol is also known as vitamin B-5 which helps build a barrier to prevent water loss and protect against irritants. Glycerin acts as a sponge by attracting water, making it an incredibly great moisturiser. Lastly, Bisabolol soothes skin inflammation with proven anti-inflammatory properties.
After discussing these ingredients, you can see that while these products are used the same, Aquaphor has a lot more to offer in regards to elements of their product. Aquaphor offers versatility, yet with a longer ingredient list, there is an opportunity for irritants or allergic reactions. With that being said, Vaseline only contains petrolatum which quite simply acts as a barrier on the skin… that is it. It does not moisturise itself, instead it retains the moisture when applied topically to the skin with the moisture that already exists, while Aquaphor contains ingredients to promote moisturized skin.
Consistency and Texture
Comparing the consistency and texture of both the healing ointments, we wanted to see if one was thicker, which makes it easier to apply to skin. Through a few blind tests, our participants concluded that they couldn’t tell a difference in consistency and texture between Aquaphor and Vaseline.
Effectiveness
To test effectiveness we applied Vaseline to our right hand and the right sole of our foot for seven nights, and Aquaphor on the left hand and foot. These formulas have a greasy and emollient texture. For that reason, we wore socks and gloves after application overnight. At the end of the seven days, our feet and hands were extremely hydrated and soft.
The result, both Aquaphor and Vaseline delivered results as promised, with an indistinguishable difference from left vs the right. Upon application, the products look and feel almost identical, with Aquaphor having a slightly smoother application, likely due to the added ingredients. For this reason, we favored Aquaphor, since it laid over the surface of the skin evenly and felt a bit more like lotion while the Vaseline remained sticky.
In addition, we used Vaseline and Aquaphor on our lips for five days each, with a two day break in between. Aquaphor had a noticeable creamer texture when warmed up on the lips in comparison to Vaseline. This may be a result of the added mineral oil ingredient we see in Aquaphor vs Vaseline. As for longevity, both formulas stayed on our lips well, staying rather sticky until needing reapplication.
Both formulas were extremely effective in moisturizing, in a harsh free, and simple manner. Although these products are may seem basic, they provide exceptional moisturizing properties, perform well and do exactly what they claim.
The Best Ointment
We tend to reach for healing ointments when we are in need of a quick fix for that scrape on your knee, those chapped lips, or even super dry skin. Dermatologists agree that antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin are known to cause irritant or contact dermatitis, and the best fix is that plain restoring balm such as Aquaphor or Vaseline.
Aquaphor offers more versatility, and is recommended by dermatologists as a healing ointment with better benefits than Vaseline. For this reason, we’ve decided that Aquaphor is the best ointment you can buy despite its higher price point. But if you are worried about irritants or allergic reactions to some of the additional ingredients in Aquaphor, Vaseline is a good alternative.
- 1 essential solution for many skin care needs: Use as a lip moisturizer, hand cream, foot cream for dry cracked feet, minor wound care and much more
- Different from a lotion or cream, this ointment nourishes skin while creating a protective barrier that allows for the flow of oxygen to create an ideal healing environment.Sulfate free
- Extreme weather conditions and frequent exposure to water, hand soap, and hand sanitizer can cause dry cracked hands and cuticles. Use Aquaphor healing ointment over night as a hand cream for dry hands to restore moisture to enhance healing
Ways to Use Both Aquaphor and Vaseline
Moisturize Dry Skin
These products can be applied topically to dry, cracked, or irritated skin or lips to lock in moisture. Apply a thin layer of ointment to affected areas, and repeat as needed.
Also, both Aquaphor and Vaseline can be used in replacement to lotion by rubbing on dry areas of the body, such as the feet or hands; we recommend covering with gloves or socks to reduce transferring of the product.
Promote Rapid Healing
These ointments can be applied to minor cuts or over recent stitches and covered with a bandage to promote rapid healing.
Replacement for Chapstick
Chapsticks are commonly swapped out for these balms due to the balms’ longevity.
The various uses for these two products are endless, and they can be incorporated into a daily routine or hang out in your medicine cabinet until needed.
Final Thoughts
Although we think Aquaphor should have a permanent home in your medicine cabinet, it is wise to conduct a patch test on a thin skinned area (inside of the elbow or wrist) to make sure none of the ingredients are irritating to you specifically.
Aquaphor offers more versatility with various benefits, and while Vaseline is a wonderful product, it has been around for quite a while. We like to think of Aquaphor as the newer and improved Vaseline.
- 1 essential solution for many skin care needs: Use as a lip moisturizer, hand cream, foot cream for dry cracked feet, minor wound care and much more
- Different from a lotion or cream, this ointment nourishes skin while creating a protective barrier that allows for the flow of oxygen to create an ideal healing environment.Sulfate free
- Extreme weather conditions and frequent exposure to water, hand soap, and hand sanitizer can cause dry cracked hands and cuticles. Use Aquaphor healing ointment over night as a hand cream for dry hands to restore moisture to enhance healing