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Aquaphor vs Eucerin: Which is More Effective?

Lotions do an okay job of keeping already-soft skin that way.

When you have extremely dry, cracked, or damaged skin, basic lotions often don’t do enough.

Aquaphor and Eucerin are considered “repairing” products – they’re made to help your skin regenerate.

Let’s see which is the better choice.

How are Aquaphor and Eucerin Different?

First off, Aquaphor is actually made by the Eucerin company.

Many people use them for the same reasons, but the two products are different.

Aquaphor is made with 41% petroleum jelly. That ingredient may be familiar from Vaseline, which is 99% petroleum jelly.

Aquaphor isn’t as greasy as Vaseline, but it is still thick and greasy compared to most lotions. This is important as it creates a barrier to keep moisture in.

Eucerin is available as a creme or lotion. In either form, Eucerin is less greasy than Aquaphor.

This makes it more comfortable to put on in sensitive areas such as the hands, neck, and face.

The creme version of Eucerin, while still a bit greasy, will generally have more “healing power” than the lotion form.

Now let’s compare Aquaphor and Eucerin’s effectiveness.

Aquaphor is the better choice for more problematic skin issues.

Some examples include:

  • Severe dry skin (cracking and itching)
  • Moderate to severe eczema
  • Diaper rash
  • Friction burns

While Eucerin creme can be used for any of the above issues, Aquaphor’s petroleum barrier makes it more effective.

If your skin issues are more in the mild to moderate range, I would use Eucerin.

It’s less greasy, so it’s more comfortable on your skin and not as messy if it rubs off on clothing or furniture.

Eucerin is still very effective against dry skin, and should do more for you than most lotions.

Aquaphor Baby vs Aquaphor

As far as I’ve been able to find, Aquaphor Baby is identical to regular Aquaphor.

The ingredient list is identical, and they’re both fragrance and dye free.

At some point I think the choice was made to sell a version with “Baby” on the label so people know it’s safe for use with infants and young children.

Both versions come in 7 or 14 ounce containers and should be priced the same, so it’s safe to choose either one.

Uses for Aquaphor or Eucerin

These two products can help heal a wide variety of skin issues. Below are some of the common uses.

Wound Care

Studies have shown that moist wound healing is faster than dry wound healing. Not only that, but pain and scarring are reduced.

Once a wound is cleaned and given time to stop bleeding, Aquaphor can be applied. It’ll add a barrier to keep moisture in and allow for faster healing.

It can also help slow or stop the growth of bacteria, preventing an infection.

Burns

There are many kind of minor burns which Aquaphor and Eucerin can help with. Some examples:

First-degree heat burns
Sunburn
Wind burn
Friction burns

You should first run the burn under cold water for at least 5 minutes. Air dry the skin, then gently apply a thin layer over the affected area.

Dry Feet

The skin on the soles of our feet is different from the rest of the body. It contains no oil glands, so dries out easily.

Cracked skin and calluses are more likely to appear as a result.

With just a few steps and some overnight healing, you can drastically improve dry feet.

Step 1: Soak in soapy water

Add warm water to a bucket or tub. Then put a small amount of your favorite liquid soap in the water.

Soak your feet for about 15 minutes.

Step 2: Exfoliating scrub

Now that the water has softened up the dry skin a bit, it’s time to work on the rough areas of your feet.

Lightly rub a pumice stone or callus remover on the dry areas. Be very gentle on any cracked skin.

When finished, rinse your feet off. Use a towel to pat them dry.

Step 3: Let Aquaphor go to work

It’s time to moisturize.

Apply a thick layer of Aquaphor on your feet. Stretch a pair of socks over your feet, taking care not to rub away the ointment as you put them on.

Wear the socks overnight. In the morning, wash away the ointment and see the improvement!

Face Mask

The key here is a thin layer.

Aquaphor and Eucerin work well on their own to help keep the face moisturized.

Aquaphor also works great as a top layer above your favorite moisturizer.

The ingredients are gentle enough that irritation is rarely an issue.

If you are prone to acne or clogged pores, be sure to use the product sparingly and only on dry areas of skin.

Eczema

For moderate to severe cases of eczema, you should first consult with a doctor.

In mild cases with small areas of inflammation, Aquaphor can help. First dampen the area with a wet cloth or soak it, then apply a generous amount.

Cuticles

Red, cracking, flaking, or peeling nail beds are a sign of dry skin.

Massage a small amount of Aquaphor or Eucerin on the area.

For very damaged cuticles, try applying more of the ointment before bed and wearing gloves overnight.

Conclusion

If you couldn’t tell by all the uses I recommended for Aquaphor, I think it’s the more versatile and powerful product.

Aquaphor should have a home in every medicine cabinet.

That said, Eucerin is more pleasant on the skin.

If you find that Aquaphor is just too thick and greasy for your liking, Eucerin is a great alternative. It’s still thicker than most lotions, but with better results.

VIEW AQUAPHOR ON AMAZON

VIEW EUCERIN ON AMAZON