Sponsored by Aquaphor™
Why This Classic Skin-Care Ointment Remains Such A Fan Favorite
By Bianca Lambert
With a cabinet full of serums, face masks, and miscellaneous maybe-I-should-try-these products, you always want to reach for a tried-and-true when your skin is having a moment. And when that product is Aquaphor Healing Ointment, you get the added benefit of nostalgia, since the legacy drugstore brand has likely been a part of your life since you were young.
Developed in 1925, Aquaphor debuted in the health-care industry and was sold in five-pound containers to doctors, pharmacists, and hospitals. Decades later, in 1982, the ointment became available over the counter — and it's still widely recommended by medical professionals today. “Aquaphor has been around for years,” says Dr. Janiene Luke, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor and residency program director at the Loma Linda University Department of Dermatology in California. “The products are gentle enough to use [on] infants and children but are versatile enough for many uses in adults for common problems, like dry hands and lips.”
Aquaphor's multipurpose ointment can be used head to toe on everything from rough elbows to diaper rash. Best of all, the 95-year-old mainstay is available on drugstore shelves and has evolved into compact packaging that can live in your makeup bag or carry-on. This way, you can ensure you're always ready for anything cold weather, constant hand washing, or dry skin conditions can dish out. We reach for this dermatologist-recommended multitasker several times a day. Here are just some of our favorite ways to use it.
Nourish Dry Lips
Think of Aquaphor Healing Ointment like a blanket for your lips — one that can combat the often uncomfortable chapping common in winter. If you also find yourself with visible dead skin on your pout (like many of us do from time to time), mix a little of the ointment with brown sugar and honey for a quick DIY lip scrub. Once rinsed, follow-up with a coating of the Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick, and say hello to a healthy, smooth smile.
Soothe Skin Irritation
The award-winning ointment is ideal for sensitive types with dry, flaky, compromised skin. The gentle skin-protectant is non-comedogenic and free of fragrances, preservatives, and dyes. Additionally, Dr. Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, says ingredients like glycerin and lanolin alcohol (an emollient derived from lanolin) make Aquaphor Healing Ointment an ideal moisturizer. “Because of its high-fat content, [it] prevents the evaporation of water from the skin [and] keeps skin moisturized and helps it heal.”
Heal Minor Cuts And Post-Procedure Skin
Unlike many other products, Aquaphor Healing Ointment is semi-occlusive, which means it protects skin from moisture loss while also allowing oxygen in. This makes it a top recommendation for its ability to enhance healing. "I often have patients use Aquaphor [Healing Ointment] after I perform laser-resurfacing procedures on the face, because it provides a barrier between the skin that is healing and the environment, which allows the new skin underneath to regenerate in a timely manner," says Luke. She also recommends Aquaphor Healing Ointment for patients with mild cuts and scrapes, such as after a minor skin biopsy, to keep the area moist while healing.
Remedy Cracked Skin
2020 is the year of handwashing… and dry hands. As the winter months creep up, feet, elbows, knees, and cuticles will also need extra attention. For your hands and feet, overnight treatments are the key. Before bed, massage in Aquaphor Healing Ointment, and then slip on 100% cotton gloves and socks. After just one night, you’ll notice a marked improvement in skin cracks.
As A Simple Beauty Hack
Many celebs (including Rachel Zoe) and makeup artists have revealed that they rely on Aquaphor Healing Ointment for myriad beauty uses. One top industry secret is to use it as a highlighter to accentuate the face's high points. It gives you the same lit-from-within glow with the added benefit of gentle hydration. It can also be used as a split end sealer, a glossy eyeshadow top coat, and an eyelash conditioner.
Since 1925, Aquaphor has continually proven to be the ultimate skin-care multitasker, earning it permanent MVP status in our medicine cabinets.
This post is sponsored by Aquaphor™.
