Should Aquaphor go before or after moisturizer?

Why does Aquaphor go on top?

Moisturizers can combine several jobs: attracting and holding water, softening rough skin, and slowing evaporation. An oily film on the surface helps preserve moisture and supports the skin's barrier, the outer layer that protects skin from irritants. Putting the more occlusive ointment over a cream or lotion uses that protective film as the finishing layer.34

US Aquaphor Healing Ointment contains 41% petrolatum and also includes glycerin and panthenol. It is fragrance free and preservative free. Aquaphor describes the ointment as a skin protectant for dry, chapped, cracked or irritated skin. Check your packaging for the current ingredients because formulas can change.2

How to layer moisturizer and Aquaphor

1. 1After washing, gently pat your skin dry while leaving it slightly damp.
2. 2Apply your moisturizer to the damp skin to help retain water.
3. 3Apply Aquaphor over the dry areas you want to protect. For ordinary moisturizing, this is the finishing layer rather than the layer beneath your cream.

Apply moisturizing products immediately after bathing, and use them at other times when dryness calls for it. Nighttime can suit mild dryness, while very dry skin can need more frequent applications. Choose frequency by how dry the skin is rather than treating an evening application as the only useful one.3

Can you use Aquaphor without moisturizer?

Yes. Ointments are themselves a type of moisturizer, so Aquaphor can be used alone on dry areas. A second moisturizer is an option, not an entrance fee for using the first one. Applying an ointment after bathing helps retain the water already in skin; layering a cream underneath is an additional approach, not a requirement for the ointment to moisturize.3

Ointments suit very dry, scaly areas, while creams suit moderate dryness and lotions can suit mild dryness or hairy areas. An ointment's greasy finish is part of the format, not a surprise bonus from the marketing department. If that texture is unwelcome across a large area, a cream is a lighter option.1

When should you be careful?

Occlusive moisturizers can cause or worsen acne, inflammation around the mouth, and folliculitis, which is inflammation of hair follicles. If those are already concerns, avoid making an all over ointment layer your default. Sensitive skin can also react to moisturizers with burning or stinging. Stop the product if an allergic skin rash develops; a dermatologist can investigate suspected contact allergy with patch testing.13

If you use a prescribed skin treatment, follow its instructions for moisturizer timing instead of automatically putting Aquaphor over it. Moisturizer can sometimes affect a medicine's action or side effects. If the instructions do not explain how to combine them, ask the prescriber about the order and spacing before adding the ointment.5