From the Research
Difference between Aquaphor and Vaseline
- Both Aquaphor and Vaseline are petrolatum-based products, but there is limited research directly comparing the two.
- A study on Vaseline Petroleum Jelly (VPJ) found that it accelerated barrier recovery and permeated throughout the stratum corneum interstices, allowing normal barrier recovery despite its occlusive properties 1.
- Another study compared a newly developed petrolatum-based ointment (NOV® II Moisture Balm) with white petrolatum and found that both were effective in moisturizing and improving skin conditions, but the new ointment had superior usability 2.
- There is no direct comparison between Aquaphor and Vaseline in the provided studies, but both are petrolatum-based and likely have similar moisturizing properties.
- Petrolatum has been shown to have an immediate barrier-repairing effect in delipidized stratum corneum and can modulate antimicrobials and epidermal differentiation barrier measures 3, 4.
Petrolatum Properties
- Petrolatum is often used to suppress water evaporation from the skin surface and has been shown to accelerate barrier recovery 1.
- It can permeate throughout the stratum corneum interstices, allowing normal barrier recovery despite its occlusive properties 1.
- Petrolatum has been found to have an immediate barrier-repairing effect in delipidized stratum corneum and can improve skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and dry skin 3, 4.
Usability and Effectiveness
- A study found that a newly developed petrolatum-based ointment had superior usability compared to white petrolatum, with subjects feeling it spread better and was less sticky and shiny 2.
- Petrolatum has been shown to be effective in treating pressure ulcers and can reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in atopic and ichthyotic patients 5, 3.