What does Aquaphor treat?

Where can you use Aquaphor?

• Dry, cracked hands, heels and feet.
• Chapped lips and dry skin on the face or body.
• Skin irritated by dryness, wind or cold weather.
• Friction prone areas, to help prevent or soothe chafing.
• Minor cuts, scrapes and superficial burns, within the limits below.

Aquaphor forms a protective barrier that helps skin retain water, while its moisturizing ingredients attract water and soften skin. The same ointment covers cracked hands, chapped lips and dry heels, which is an unusually long job description for something in a tube. Aquaphor Healing Ointment is fragrance and preservative free and is suitable for sensitive skin.3

How do you use it for dry skin?

1. 1Apply to the dry or cracked area. General petroleum jelly guidance favors applying to damp skin to help retain moisture.
2. 2Reapply as needed during the day or at night; Aquaphor does not require a fixed schedule.
3. 3Keep the ointment out of your eyes.

For an acne prone face, be cautious about using a petroleum based ointment broadly: petroleum jelly can cause breakouts in some people. Use Aquaphor for dryness, not as an acne treatment. Moisture protection is its job; the bathroom shelf does not need to promote it to every department.4

How do you use it for diaper rash?

1. 1Change wet or soiled diapers promptly.
2. 2Clean the diaper area and let it dry.
3. 3Apply Aquaphor liberally with each diaper change, especially at bedtime or before prolonged exposure to a wet diaper.

With appropriate care, diaper rash should clear in about three to four days. If the rash does not go away, see a dermatologist rather than continuing to cover it with ointment.4

Can you put Aquaphor on cuts and burns?

Aquaphor can protect minor cuts and scrapes, but the brand tells you not to apply it to open, bleeding or wet wounds. General petroleum jelly wound care involves daily cleaning and keeping the wound moist. After a skin biopsy, follow your dermatologist's specific aftercare instructions: standard care uses petroleum jelly from a squeeze tube and a bandage, not an automatic substitution with Aquaphor.345

1. 1Cool a minor burn under cool running water for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not use ice.
2. 2Gently clean with soap and water, without breaking blisters.
3. 3For a small, superficial burn that is not bleeding, apply a thin layer of ointment. Protect from rubbing with a sterile nonstick dressing if needed.

Seek medical care for burns from fire, electricity or chemicals, burns larger than 2 inches, or burns on the face, hands, feet, groin, buttocks or major joints. Minor burns can take up to three weeks to heal.6

Does Aquaphor help eczema?

Aquaphor can help moisturize and protect skin affected by ear eczema. Gently wash the outer ears with warm water and mild soap, then apply a small amount over the affected skin. Moisturize several times daily, including after bathing. Eczema is a chronic condition with recurring flare ups; ointment does not cure it. With proper treatment, ear eczema can improve within one to three weeks.7

When should you stop or get medical help?

Do not use Aquaphor on deep wounds, puncture wounds, animal bites or serious burns. Stop and ask a doctor if symptoms worsen, last more than seven days, or clear and return within a few days. Seek medical care for signs of wound infection, including worsening pain, warmth, swelling, pus or fever.15