Similar yet different. That’s a simple but fair way to describe Aquaphor and Vaseline, two iconic beauty products loved by everyone from skincare experts to your favorite influencer to your mom. Dermatologists often recommend one or the other—or both—for dry, cracked skin, chapped lips, areas in need of barrier protection, and wound healing.
“Both Aquaphor and Vaseline are occlusives,” explains dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. “That means they work by creating a protective layer on the surface of your skin that locks in moisture and helps your skin barrier function more effectively. Occlusives are foundational when you are trying to heal dry, cracked skin or protect sensitized skin from further irritation.” Dr. Garshick says.
Though they may look and feel similar, there are a few key differences between Aquaphor and Vaseline. To get all the details, I went straight to the experts to compare and contrast the two.
About Aquaphor:
Originally developed as an ointment base in 1925, Aquaphor was introduced to hospitals and medical professionals around 1936 and to consumers in tubes in 1982. Since its debut, the multi-purpose, water-free ointment’s popularity hasn’t waned for soothing and protecting extremely dry, cracked, or irritated skin by forming a protective barrier to help skin lock in moisture.
“Aquaphor is an occlusive healing ointment made mostly of petroleum plus added ingredients like mineral oil for spreadability, ceresin to improve the product feel, and lanolin alcohol to hydrate,” explains dermatologist Cheryl Karcher, MD. “When combined together, these ingredients help soothe and support skin repair.” The added humectants help draw moisture to the skin, while the petrolatum seals that hydration in.
About Vaseline:
Vaseline dates all the way back to 1859 when it was discovered as a petroleum byproduct in Pennsylvania oil fields, and workers used it to heal burnt or wounded skin. Chemist Robert Chesebrough refined it into a lighter gel and began manufacturing it in 1872. Made of 100 percent pure petroleum jelly (aka white petrolatum), Vaseline is a semi-solid, jelly-like blend of mineral oils and waxes that locks in moisture.
“Vaseline Jelly Original is basically 100 percent petroleum jelly,” Dr. Garshick says. “It’s an occlusive that creates a protective barrier on the skin that prevents water loss rather than adding moisture itself.”
How are Aquaphor and Vaseline similar?
Anyone who has dipped a finger into either jar knows how alike the two feel. “Both are occlusive ointments that seal in hydration, protect the skin barrier, and help wounds heal,” Dr. Karcher says. “They are fragrance-free, gentle, and widely recommended by dermatologists.”
Both products are also great multitaskers. “We use them for healing, minor cuts, burns, post-procedure skin, preventing chafing, protecting lips, and restoring a compromised skin barrier,” Dr. Karcher says. “They prevent transepidermal water loss and soften rough, flaky areas by trapping hydration in the skin. Petroleum creates a protective seal that keeps wounds moist, reduces water loss, and allows skin to repair more efficiently.”
They’re both also the go-tos for slugging. “Slugging is about sealing in every drop of hydration you’ve already put on your skin,” Dr. Garshick says. “Whether you’ve layered on a ceramide-rich cream or a hyaluronic acid serum, finishing with a thin layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor creates that occlusive barrier that stops evaporation overnight. That’s the fundamental principle behind why slugging works.”
What are the differences between Aquaphor and Vaseline?
The difference comes down to what’s in the formula besides petrolatum. “Vaseline is simply petroleum jelly, so it mainly seals in whatever hydration your skin already has,” Dr. Garshick says. “Aquaphor, on the other hand, combines petrolatum with humectants and emollients like glycerin, panthenol, and lanolin, which can help draw in moisture and soften skin at the same time.”
So, how do you know which is best to use? “Vaseline’s pure petrolatum barrier is especially good for protecting healing skin on areas like cracked heels, hands in winter, or chapped lips,” Dr. Garshick says. “Aquaphor’s added humectants make it excellent when skin is very dry or flaky and needs both hydration and to help seal moisture in.”
Dr. Karcher prefers Vaseline for extremely sensitive skin, patients with eczema, and post-procedure care because it’s simple and unlikely to cause reactions. “I often suggest Aquaphor for everyday use on the lips, cuticles, hands, and other dry areas because it spreads more easily and feels a bit more comfortable,” she adds.
Is Aquaphor or Vaseline better for sensitive skin?
“For very sensitive skin, I often recommend Vaseline, because it’s just petroleum jelly with no lanolin or other added ingredients,” Dr. Garshick says, explaining that some people can be sensitive or even allergic to lanolin or other added ingredients in products like Aquaphor, so Vaseline can be a simpler choice for those cases.
Final verdict:
Though they are very similar, Vaseline is thicker and greasier, while Aquaphor is lighter and spreads more easily. Generally speaking, Vaseline wins for creating a heavy protective barrier, and Aquaphor is best for healing and adding moisture. Ultimately, it can come down to personal preference, since both are accessibly priced, effective, and great basics for protecting and moisturizing skin.
“Both products can benefit a wide range of skin types and can be especially good for those with dry, flaky skin,” Dr. Garshick says. “Some people prefer Aquaphor for the additional humectants and emollients, while those who prefer a simple barrier that works even on very sensitive or healing skin, Vaseline is a very reliable choice. I personally like both and find myself reaching for whatever is most convenient in the moment. Vaseline is often my go-to for my lips and post-procedure if my skin is recovering, as it provides a simple occlusive layer that protects the skin, while Aquaphor I often rely on for my hands, to reduce dryness and cracking, as it helps to keep the hands feeling soft and smooth.”
Meet the experts:
- Marisa Garshick, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York and New Jersey and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine.
- Cheryl Karcher, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at Center Aesthetics and Dermatology in New York, NY.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Celia Shatzman (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based journalist who has covered beauty for two decades and has turned to both Vaseline and Aquaphor to slather on chapped lips and heal wounds.
Celia Shatzman (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor who has penned stories on topics ranging from beauty to fashion, travel, celebrities, health, entertainment, finance and more. A graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, she is a beauty and style contributor at Forbes and her work has appeared in New York, Cosmopolitan, WWD, ELLE, Conde Nast Traveler, Afar, Travel + Leisure, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Byrdie, Refinery29 and NYLON, among others.
