Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment: what it does and how to use it

What is in Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment?

The US 14 oz Baby Healing Ointment contains 41% petrolatum as its active ingredient. Aquaphor also identifies panthenol and glycerin and describes the ointment as fragrance free and preservative free. Its intended uses include chapped cheeks, dry skin and protection from the drying effects of wind and cold. Check the ingredients on your own packaging because formulas can change. Aquaphor describes the jar as suitable for the whole family.1

This guide centres on the US Baby Healing Ointment; Canadian Aquaphor Healing Ointment has a different active ingredient listing, and Meijer Baby Healing Ointment is a separate product. Health Canada lists Aquaphor Healing Ointment, DIN 02446189, as a topical nonprescription ointment with mineral oil 52.74% as its active ingredient. Meijer's product contains petrolatum 41%, but its label explicitly states that Beiersdorf does not manufacture or distribute it. Use the directions and ingredient list on the exact package you have rather than treating similar names as interchangeable, because Healing Ointment reads more like a department than a name.34

How to use it in the diaper area

Petroleum jelly based barriers help keep moisture away from clean, dry skin. The following is general diaper rash care: follow your Aquaphor package for the product amount. A pharmacist can help choose a barrier product if the rash is causing discomfort.25

1. 1Wash your hands before changing the diaper. Change wet or soiled diapers promptly rather than waiting for a scheduled change.
2. 2Gently clean the diaper area with water and a soft cloth or cotton ball. Do not rub or scrub sore skin.
3. 3Pat the area dry or let it air dry before applying the barrier.
4. 4Apply the ointment following your package directions. General petroleum jelly guidance supports application at each diaper change, including changes during the night.
5. 5Fasten a clean diaper loosely enough to avoid rubbing. Wash your hands again after the change.

Give your baby time without a diaper when possible and use absorbent diapers. Avoid wipes containing alcohol or fragrance. Soap, baby lotion and bubble bath can irritate a diaper rash, and talcum powder should not be used. Bathe your baby daily, but not more than twice a day, because excessive washing can dry the skin. With reusable diapers, change dry liners often and avoid fabric softeners or dryer sheets.25

How to use it for dry skin and chapped cheeks

Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment is intended for dry and chapped skin, including cheeks. For ordinary dry skin, general petroleum jelly guidance favours applying it while the skin is still damp. That differs from diaper care, where the area should be completely clean and dry before the barrier goes on. Ointments are generally more effective and less irritating than lotions for dry skin. This is targeted skin care rather than a reason to coat every available surface, despite the jar's resemblance to a small decorating supply.16

Can it help with drool and teething irritation?

Drooling can leave the skin around a baby's mouth, chin and cheeks chafed and chapped. Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment is intended to help protect those areas and prevent irritated skin. Use it on the affected external skin following the package directions.7

Can you use it on minor scrapes?

Aquaphor includes minor scrapes and scratches among the ointment's uses. General petroleum jelly wound care involves cleaning a minor wound daily and keeping it moist rather than letting it dry into a scab. Scabs take longer to heal. For a minor wound that is cleaned daily, an antibacterial ointment is not routinely necessary. Keep this use separate from treating a diaper rash that could involve an infection.16

How long should diaper rash take to improve?

With appropriate care, a diaper rash treated with petroleum jelly should clear in about three to four days. That is a general care timeline, not a promised Aquaphor result. Contact your baby's clinician if the rash worsens or is not going away within two to three days rather than repeatedly adding more ointment. Dry cheeks and minor scrapes do not have a single established recovery time for this product.26

When does a rash need more than a barrier?

Diaper rash can result from prolonged contact with urine or stool, rubbing, irritating products or an infection. Candida, a yeast, grows well in the warm, moist diaper area. A protective ointment is not a substitute for treatment when an infection is present. A clinician can decide whether an antifungal medicine, antibiotic or steroid treatment is appropriate. Ask before using medicated rash creams, including ones sold without a prescription.25

Contact your baby's clinician if:

• The rash gets worse, does not go away within two to three days, or spreads beyond the diaper area.
• You see pimples, blisters, ulcers, large bumps or sores filled with pus.
• Your baby has a fever or seems very uncomfortable.
• Your baby develops a rash during the first six weeks after birth.

Can adults use it on their face?

Aquaphor describes the Baby Healing Ointment as suitable for family use. For adults considering facial application, general petroleum jelly guidance advises avoiding it on acne prone facial skin because it can cause breakouts in some people. Fragrance free does not mean a facial ointment suits every skin concern.16