Is Aquaphor Healing Ointment petroleum based?

Yes, but Aquaphor Healing Ointment is not pure petroleum jelly. Alongside petrolatum, the US formula contains mineral oil, ceresin, lanolin alcohol, panthenol, glycerin and bisabolol. If you want a product containing only petrolatum, this is not that formula. Aquaphor lists panthenol and glycerin among the ingredients that help moisturize and nourish skin.12

What does the petroleum base do?

The ointment forms a protective barrier that helps skin hold onto moisture. Other ingredients help attract water and soften skin. Aquaphor is a water free ointment rather than a lotion or cream, and its barrier helps create an environment that supports healing. Its role is moisture retention and skin protection, not simply adding water.2

What can you use it for?

Aquaphor Healing Ointment helps protect and relieve chapped, dry, cracked or irritated skin and lips. Common areas include dry hands, cracked feet and chapped lips. It also protects and soothes minor cuts, scrapes and burns. The same ointment has several uses, which saves the bathroom shelf from becoming an ointment filing system. It helps protect skin from the drying effects of wind and cold weather, neither of which takes requests from your skincare routine.1

How should you use it?

  1. 1Check your pack's ingredients first. Aquaphor updates ingredients, and packaging can differ from the website.
  2. 2Apply externally to the dry area on your face or body.
  3. 3Reapply as needed to soothe dry or irritated skin. Aquaphor allows application as often as you like.
12

What if your skin is sensitive?

Aquaphor Healing Ointment is fragrance and preservative free and is suitable for sensitive skin. Check the full formula if you need to avoid a particular ingredient; petroleum based does not mean petrolatum is the only ingredient.2

Do not apply it to open, bleeding or wet wounds, severe burns or bleeding burns. For a wound that seems infected, or whose healing time concerns you, seek medical advice rather than continuing to rely on ointment.2

Where this answer comes from

  1. 1Aquaphor® Healing Ointment 14oz | Multi-Purposeaquaphorus.com
  2. 2What Does Aquaphor Do and How Does it Work?aquaphorus.com