Aquaphor vs. Vaseline: Which Is Better for Your Dry, Flaky Skin?

If you’re dealing with dry, flaking skin that’s desperate for relief, you may be wondering whether you should turn to Aquaphor or Vaseline. At first glance, these moisturizers might seem like the same thing with different labels—they’re both ultra-thick, soothing, and perfect for when a basic body lotion or lip balm falls short. But actually, there are a few key distinctions to keep in mind, and knowing each product’s unique benefits can help you level up your skin care routine.

To start with the similarities, Aquaphor and Vaseline share the same main ingredient: Petrolatum. This occlusive moisturizer gives them their signature rich, kinda greasy texture that’s great for a lot of things—like relieving cracked skin (including chapped lips), treating diaper rash, preventing chafing between your thighs or feet, and keeping minor cuts and scrapes hydrated to help them heal, Adeline Kikam, DO, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skinclusive Dermatology in Houston, tells SELF.

That said, each ointment has unique quirks that may make it better suited for certain situations, which is why choosing between them really boils down to what you’re looking for. To help you figure out whether Aquaphor or Vaseline is best for your needs, we asked dermatologists to compare and contrast the two skin care OGs.

What are the differences between Aquaphor and Vaseline?

1. Both are occlusive, but Aquaphor contains emollients and humectants too.

Vaseline is made of 100% petrolatum (a.k.a. petroleum jelly), an occlusive that helps skin retain existing moisture by sealing water in, Mina Amin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, tells SELF. Aquaphor Healing Ointment, on the other hand, only has 41% petrolatum: It also contains humectants (namely, glycerin and panthenol) to draw water into your skin, and emollients (lanolin alcohol, ceresin, and mineral oil), which fill in the cracks between your skin cells for a softening, smoothening effect.

Basically, this means that the petrolatum in both products will prevent water loss (and your skin and lips from drying out), Dr. Amin explains. However, Aquaphor’s additional ingredients provide a couple of extra benefits that Vaseline can’t deliver: Adding moisture and making your skin feel silky soft and smooth.

2. You’re more likely to get an allergic reaction with Aquaphor.

If you have sensitive skin, you may want to use Vaseline—just to be safe. That’s because Aquaphor contains lanolin, which is great for soothing and hydrating severely dry spots, Dr. Kikam says. However, it’s also a common allergen, especially for folks with eczema-prone or otherwise easily irritated skin, both derms agree. (In fact, lanolin was crowned Contact Allergen of the Year in 2023 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society.) Technically you can be allergic to pure petrolatum too, but Dr. Kikam notes that these reactions are really rare.

3. Generally, Vaseline is safer to use on open wounds.

Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly on a cut, scrape, or even a popped pimple will create a heavy-duty barrier to lock in moisture and protect the damaged skin as it heals, Dr. Kikam explains.