- Aquaphor works as a powerful occlusive, sealing in moisture and repairing the skin barrier when layered over hydrating products.
- Beyond slugging, derms recommend using it for eyes, lips, brows, cuticles, hands, heels, tattoos, and even makeup removal.
- It’s generally safe for facial use, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone skin—patch test and avoid slugging in hot, humid conditions.
I have notoriously oily skin, so winter dryness always feels a little personal. Every year, right around the first day of bitter cold, my face flips on me. Suddenly, my skin is tight, flaky, irritated, and begging for moisture. Huh???? And this year, after our first big snow day in New York in a few years, it's worse than ever, leading me to do a complete overhaul of my skincare routine, and the biggest change has been slugging with Aquaphor—yes, the iconic drugstore ointment—across my entire face a few nights a week.
Slugging is great, but there are actually so many ways to use Aquaphor this winter to help quell some of that dryness and irritation. It's kinda the GOAT if you ask me (and yes, it's totally okay to use on your face, says dermatologist Nicole Ruth, MD). For context, Aquaphor is primarily made up of petrolatum (a blend of mineral oils and waxes), lanolin (a rich emollient derived from sheep’s wool), and glycerin (a humectant that draws moisture into your skin). Together, these ingredients “prevent water from evaporating from your face, which helps strengthen the skin barrier and keep skin moisturized and healthy,” explains dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD.
And when your barrier is functioning properly, everything else tends to fall into place: fewer breakouts, less redness and irritation, and even softer-looking fine lines over time. It’s exactly why skincare obsessives across Reddit swear Aquaphor can turn dry, reactive skin into something calm and comfortable again. Plus, if you deal with eczema patches or chronically parched skin, Dr. Ruth notes that using petrolatum on the face can be especially helpful for relieving dryness and that tight, uncomfortable feeling.
Other than slugging, though, how else can I use Aquaphor to save my skin this winter? I tapped three derms to break it all down and get into all the ways to make Aquaphor (or your preferred ointment) work for you this winter.
1 . As a deep moisturizing treatment (aka slugging)
Aquaphor is great all over your face because it creates an occlusive barrier on your skin to keep hydration in all night long. It acts like a skincare blanket, swaddling all the good-for-you ingredients from your serums, toners, and moisturizers close to your skin to make them more effective. But on its own, occlusives don’t actually do any of the moisturizing.
Instead, its power is unlocked when you layer it over your skincare products, a technique that's been talked about all over Reddit and TikTok called “slugging” (since your face will look as shiny as a slug’s slime trail. Yum!). "I think slugging is truly the best kept secret—I do it every single night," says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. "It really helps build a strong barrier, which makes the application of things like antioxidants, retinols, and peptides way smoother."
2. As an eye ointment
Aquaphor can help make your under eyes look smoother and more hydrated, which can potentially, over time, help reduce the appearance of dark circles (plump, moisturized under eyes are less likely to show through darkness and veins). But you'll definitely want to pair it with a brightening eye cream or a retinol eye cream for quicker, more effective results.
3. As an eyelash and brow conditioner
Although Aquaphor can't make your lashes or brows grow, it does make a fantastic moisturizer, says Dr. Gohara. It's a great way to help strengthen your lashes and brows so they look shinier and healthier over time, but won't trigger hair growth (fyi: nothing but prescription Latisse can!). Just make sure you're extra careful when applying Aquaphor (or anything, really) near your eyes—and if you notice any redness or irritation, immediately remove it with a wet washcloth and stop using it around your eyeballs.
4. To soothe and hydrate skin after a tattoo
Every tattoo artist tells me that Aquaphor and Vaseline are on standby for them constantly. It's the best product to coat a healing tattoo with: It's fragrance-free, suitable for sensitive skin, helps lightly hydrate and lock in moisture, and soothes irritated skin (like a crusty, itchy tattoo you're dying to scratch but can't).
5. As a makeup remover
I've used Aquaphor in a pinch many times to take off stubborn waterproof mascara. The rich ointment works like an oil cleanser to gently remove makeup. My go-to tip? Keep a tub by your makeup vanity with a few cotton swabs so you can dip and remove mistakes (like liquid eyeliner) quickly.
6. As a lip balm/mask
Multiple Cosmo editors have a tube (or giant tub... looking at you, editor-in-chief Willa Bennett) at their desks to dab on their lips all year 'round. Sure, there are plenty of lip balms on the market that we love. But if you want a nourishing pick that doesn't feel goopy or sticky, you can't go wrong with Aquaphor. Take things a step further, though, and pack on a heavy layer to wear as an overnight lip mask.
7. To protect skin during hair dye or self-tanner application
My tub of Aquaphor is on standby every single time I put on self-tanner (or do an at-home hair gloss). It helps prevent products from staining your skin. With self-tanner, I apply a layer to my wrists, knees, elbows, and ankles to reduce streaks and splotches. For hair dye, dab some ointment along your hairline, ears, nails, and cuticles to prevent stains.
8. As a cuticle oil
Basically all cuticle oils work the same: They soften skin and prevent dryness by locking in moisture. This prevent hangnails and makes your manicures look more polished. Aquaphor is a great substitute in a pinch, as it helps nourish your skin, creating a protective barrier around your nails.
9. To heal cracked heels and hands
Slugging should also extend to your hands and feet, btw. Slather it on before bed, then throw on socks or cotton gloves for an overnight repair treatment.
10. To seal in fragrance
Okay, it's not for your skin, per se. But! One of our editors' biggest tips for making perfume last longer is dabbing on Aquaphor or Vaseline on your pulse points before you spritz on your fragrance. It gives the perfume something to cling to (remember: perfumes are filled with scent oils, and oils love oils).
FAQs:
Does Aquaphor clog pores on the face?
Generally speaking, Aquaphor will not clog pores on your face. It's considered non-comedogenic and doesn't contain any true breakout-inducing ingredients. But the reality is that anything can cause breakouts, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Which is why both Dr. Gohara and Dr. Ruth say Aquaphor (and "slugging" in general—more on that later) might be a bit too occlusive for some folks. Plus, Dr. Nazarian warns that “slugging” during humid and hot seasons could block your pores from sweating properly, since the formula is so thick. “When sweat and oil can’t escape through your pores as they should, you might start to see an acne-like sweat rash, or itchy red bumps on the skin,” says Dr. Nazarian.
Of course, it’s unlikely you’ll be slathering a heavy layer of Aquaphor on your face then going for a jog in the middle of July (most people tend to slug at night when it’s actually most effective), but if you’re extra prone to sweating while you sleep or you have incredibly oily skin, you may want to skip this hack. As you know, everyone’s skin is different, and what works for your super-dry face might not work for your roommate’s oily T-zone. So just keep in mind: "Before lathering on a layer of petrolatum, see your dermatologist for a full evaluation of your skin," says Dr. Ruth.
Should I use Aquaphor or Vaseline on my face?
When it comes to Aquaphor and Vaseline, one isn't necessarily "better" than the other, but the main difference is that Aquaphor contains other moisturizing, sealing, and soothing ingredients (see: lanolin, panthenol, glycerin, bisabolol, and mineral oil), while Vaseline is pure petroleum jelly. If you’re allergic to lanolin or mineral oil (it’s not common, but those with eczema or dermatitis are potentially more likely to have a reaction), try slugging with Vaseline instead. But if you really want a thick, rich, won’t-slip-off-your-face moisturizer to really soothe your skin issues, you might wanna stick with lanolin-filled Aquaphor instead.
The final verdict:
Okay, so Aquaphor definitely shouldn’t replace your moisturizer (because, you know, it isn’t a moisturizer), but it can help your skin better heal itself by locking in water and upping the effects of your usual skincare products, which, says Dr. Nazarian, “can make your skin softer and dewier over time.”
When it comes down to it, slugging certainly doesn’t work for everyone, and it’s always best to run anything new by your dermatologist before you try it. But if you (and your skin) are in the clear, try slathering on some Aquaphor every few nights and see if it’s the key you’ve been missing. Just be prepared to sacrifice your pillowcase in this pursuit of dewy skin (all’s fair in skin and war, right?).
Meet the experts:
- Nicole Ruth, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Weiser Skin and Orentreich Medical Group, both in New York, NY.
- Rachel Nazarian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology.
- Mona Gohara, MD, is an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, and a board-certified dermatologist at the Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut in multiple locations in CT.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from moisturizers for acne-prone skin to eye creams for dark circles. She’s an authority in all skincare categories, but is an expert when it comes to putting Aquaphor on your face, since she's been doing it for years (under the guidance of dermatologists and aestheticians, of course).
Ruby Buddemeyer was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan for nearly three years and has five years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and celebrity news across print and digital, including the best cleansing oils and dermaplaning. She worked with dermatologists and cosmetic chemists while researching for this story.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, Fashionista, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram.
