Aquaphor ointment body spray: what it does and how to use it

What is Aquaphor ointment spray?

Eucerin Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray is a water free moisturizer that forms a protective barrier to hold moisture in the skin. It is intended for areas such as the arms, legs, back and torso, where spreading a traditional ointment can be awkward. The upside down dispenser lets the packaging do some of the maneuvering for once. Eucerin describes an immediate cooling and soothing sensation, followed by support for skin repair with continued use.1

Which Aquaphor product are you buying?

The US Aquaphor range lists Ointment Body Spray in 3.7 oz and 6.2 oz cans; the UK Eucerin product is listed as 250 ml. The application details below refer to the Eucerin spray, so follow your own can's directions if you have the US product. The shared Aquaphor name does not make every container interchangeable, however efficiently it saves space on the label.12

Who is the spray useful for?

The Eucerin spray is a practical choice for very dry body skin when lotion does not feel sufficient, or when regular ointment is difficult to spread over a large area. It can also reach feet, heels and hands. For a small dry patch, Eucerin suggests a regular Aquaphor balm instead. For the face or lips, choose a product intended for that area rather than redirecting the body spray.1

What is in the Eucerin spray?

The Eucerin formula lists butane, mineral oil, microcrystalline wax, paraffin, lanolin alcohol, panthenol, glycerin and bisabolol. Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it attracts and holds water in the skin. Panthenol helps improve hydration and reduce water loss. Eucerin describes the spray as fragrance free, preservative free and suitable for sensitive skin. Check the ingredients on your can because formulas can change.3

How do you apply it?

1. 1Shake the Eucerin can well before use.
2. 2Hold the can 15 cm from the body area you want to moisturize.
3. 3Spray onto the skin. The dispenser can work upside down.
4. 4Gently spread the ointment into the skin as needed.

For a dry skin routine, keep showers or baths to five to ten minutes and use warm water. Wash with a gentle cleanser only where needed, then pat rather than rub with a towel. Apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp and gently massage it in. There is no need to scrub the ointment into place; general emollient guidance favors smoothing gently in the direction of hair growth.56

Eucerin allows application as often as required, so the spray can fit a morning or evening routine and be reapplied when body skin feels dry. General dry skin care also calls for moisturizing after washing and several times during the day. The dispenser changes the delivery method, not the requirement to actually moisturize.15

What results should you expect?

Eucerin describes the spray as quickly absorbed and non greasy. In a product use study, 120 women with dry or irritated body skin used it regularly for two weeks; nine in ten reported soothing throughout the day. Cooling or comfort can happen immediately, but that is different from dryness healing. With effective general dry skin care, improvement tends to appear within two weeks.37

Can you use it with prescribed skin treatments?

If you use a steroid cream or another treatment for a skin condition, leave 20 to 30 minutes between the treatment and an emollient such as this ointment. Ask your doctor which to apply first. The gap helps prevent dilution of the treatment and spreading it onto areas that do not need it. Follow your existing treatment plan rather than replacing prescribed care with a moisturizer.56

Where should you not spray it?

• Do not spray directly onto or near the face.
• Do not use the Eucerin spray on open, bleeding or wet wounds.
• Avoid prolonged spraying and direct inhalation.

Keep emollients away from fire, flames and cigarettes. Clothing, bedding and dressings that have absorbed an emollient can catch fire easily, and washing does not completely remove the residue. Emollients can also make baths, showers and tiled floors slippery, so protect the floor and clean any residue.6

When should you get medical advice?

If a moisturizer causes burning, stinging or irritation, tell your dermatologist. Emollients can cause persistent skin reactions or blocked and inflamed hair follicles; speak to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist if these develop. A sensitive skin label does not override a reaction to the product.56

If dryness continues despite regular care, or gets worse, see a dermatologist. Persistent dryness can be linked to a skin condition, medication or other causes rather than dry air alone. An ointment can help hold moisture in the skin, but an underlying condition can need its own treatment.7