How do Vaseline and Aquaphor help clear your acne? You should see the shock on our client’s faces when we tell them to apply Vaseline or Aquaphor all over their face to protect it from various acne triggers.
I know what you’re thinking… Vaseline and Aquaphor for Acne? You have GOT to be kidding, right?
Believe it or not – these two tried and true beauty products really help build a strong barrier. Which makes the application of things like antioxidants, retinoids, and peptide penetrate the skin deeper while helping it stay put.
When it comes to acne, you want your skin to be well-lubricated at all times to help your skin barrier repair itself otherwise; you’re just going to create more acne and breakouts. Counter to conventional thinking, slathering skin with such a heavy salve-like product won’t cause you to breakout.
Is Vaseline and Aquaphor safe for the skin?
It was concluded years ago that petroleum jelly is 100% non-comedogenic, meaning it will not clog or block your pores. Petroleum is one of the best occlusive (blocks water loss) moisturizers that can be used making it completely safe to use on the face.
Occulant products, such as Vaseline and Aquaphor have more uses than simply treating dry patches. We recommend our acne clients use these products to occlude the skin before diving into chlorinated or salt water pools, preventing over drying of their already inflamed sensitive skin.
We also advise our clients to use them to soften their lips safely as most chapstick is comedogenic.
Not only is petroleum jelly safe, it’s also a strong component in treating acne.
Products like Aquaphor and Vaseline prevent water from evaporating from your face. These ointments help to improve your skin barrier and keep it healthy. And a healthy, hydrated skin barrier means fewer breakouts, less redness and irritation, and even decreased fine lines and wrinkles.
What is the difference between Vaseline and Aquaphor?
Vaseline
The beauty world has been enchanted by Vaseline for more than 140 years and is one of the most popular brands of petroleum jelly (a blend of minerals and waxes) on the market today.
Vaseline is an occlusive product, which means two things:
It keeps your skin soft by trapping moisture on its surface
It protects injured skin from getting irritated because it acts as a barrier.
Its quality as a protective barrier is what makes Vaseline a great go-to to help heal minor skin problems. Vaseline is also a great aid in the protection of sealing moisture in.
Aquaphor
Aquaphor, on the other hand, is marketed as a “healing ointment” and is made with a blend of petroleum jelly (what Vaseline is made of), mineral oil, glycerin, and lanolin.
This magical stuff has ingredients other than petroleum jelly. It’s essentially an emollient, or a super charged, moisturizing Vaseline (which can only seal skin – retaining moisture that’s already there).
Is Aquaphor and Vaseline a moisturizer?
No, not exactly.
How Vaseline and Aquaphor help clear acne is these two super heroes contain what we call occlusive ingredients. Which is a fancy-sounding word that means it acts like a skincare blanket, pulling all the powerhouse ingredients from your serums, toners, and moisturizers close to your skin to make them more effective. On their own, occlusives don’t do any of the actual moisturizing.
Instead, its sorcery is unlocked when you layer it OVER your skincare products. This is a technique that is famously known in the beauty industry as “slugging” (since your face will look as shiny as a slug’s slime trail).
You simply apply a very thin layer of Aquaphor or Vaseline over your face as the final step of your nightly skincare routine. Then you let it work its magic by, well, doing nothing. It just sits there and supervises your skincare, making the formulas work smarter not harder.
The Takeaways on How Vaseline and Aquaphor Help Acne
These products should never replace your moisturizer. However, they can help your acne better heal itself by locking in water and amping up the effects of your usual skincare products. If you are treating with us, please contact us before randomly adding Vaseline and Aquaphor to your daily or nightly regime.
Worth noting: Make sure to use a pillowcase you don’t care about destroying, since some product will inevitably get on your pillow.
Are your at-home treatments creating a bigger problem for you? If you can’t seem to get your acne under control, it’s time to book an appointment to prevent further damage to your skin. We guide you every step of the way in your skin clearing journey. Don’t go another week worrying about your breakouts. All of our clients get beautifully clear when they follow our gentle guidance.
Cheer to clear!
Rene