The Key Difference and When to Use

When you reach for your skincare balm of choice, are you going for Aquaphor or Vaseline? These products are wildly popular—even among those who aren’t skincare enthusiasts—and are frequently used to protect and soothe irritated, dry skin or lips. But while they both moisturize and protect, there are some distinct differences between these products in terms of formula, feel, and more.

We asked board-certified dermatologists Purvisha Patel, MD, and Richard Bottiglione, MD, to break down the differences between Aquaphor and Vaseline and when (and how) to use each. Keep reading to find out what they had to say.

What Is Aquaphor?

Aquaphor is a skincare ointment containing petroleum jelly alongside ingredients like lanolin, glycerin, bisabolol, and panthenol. These ingredients make the product highly moisturizing and effective for soothing, protecting, and healing dry, chapped lips, and dry, irritated, or cracked skin. It creates a protective barrier, helping to lock in moisture on the skin.

Compared with Vaseline, “Aquaphor has a lighter spreadable texture and absorbs into the skin easier,” says Patel. “Vaseline is thicker and more occlusive and barrier-like.”

Vaseline tends to be greasier, whereas Aquaphor’s formulation is more water-soluble (due to the inclusion of glycerin), so it tends to feel a bit lighter on the skin, adds Bottiglione.

What Is Vaseline?

There’s a good chance you’ve had a tub of Vaseline in your medicine cabinet your whole life—and for good reason. Vaseline is a trusted and beloved skincare staple made of 100% petroleum jelly. It’s commonly used to treat dry, irritated, and chapped skin. It helps seal in moisture and also creates a protective barrier that shields your skin from water and other environmental elements as it heals. “It’s pure petroleum jelly, which is an occlusive, so it traps in water,” Patel explains.

When to Use Each

Deciding whether to use Aquaphor or Vaseline often comes down to personal preference. Bottiglione says you can use either on any irritated area: “It really depends on… whether you [prefer an] oily feel or more of an in-between,” he says.

Neither product has an active ingredient: Both function as protective ointments. Some people prefer the texture of Aquaphor because it’s a bit less greasy than Vaseline, but others like Vaseline’s greasier feel and how well it works to help dry skin, he points out. “If you prefer the additional ingredients in the Aquaphor then it’s a personal preference,” he adds.

That said, a few situations that might inspire you to choose one over the other. Here’s some more information:

Vaseline

Vaseline can be useful for people who are dealing with dry, sensitive skin, as well as those with dry, cracked lips, Patel says. It also protects the skin from getting wet and adds a nice barrier that can help prevent chafing. “It is used more as an occlusive agent to protect skin, prevent chafing, and act as a barrier for minor cuts,” Patel says.

Aquaphor

According to Patel, Aquaphor can be useful for healing dry, cracked skin and soothing minor cuts and burns. It’s also effective as a moisturizer for rough, dry skin, and can offer relief for cracked and dry lips.

The Final Takeaway

Vaseline and Aquaphor are protective ointments that can come in handy when you’re looking to treat dry, cracked skin and lips, prevent chafing, and soothe irritated skin. But the formulations are a bit different: Vaseline is pure petroleum jelly while Aquaphor contains petroleum jelly plus some other ingredients like lanolin, glycerin, bisabolol, mineral oil, and panthenol. In terms of feel, Vaseline is a bit heavier and greasier, whereas Aquaphor is a bit lighter and easier to spread. Dermatologists say deciding which one to use often comes down to personal preference.

One thing to keep in mind is that you’ll want to use caution with these products if your skin is prone to breakouts. “Both are good for all skin types, but both can also increase breakouts in acne-prone skin,” Patel says.