Why Aquaphor Is My Drugstore Skin-Care Soul Mate

I don’t use it for this purpose all the time as it is pretty heavy for a facial moisturizer, but at night in the winter when my skin has been feeling particularly parched, I’ll grab a pea-size amount from the tub on my dresser, rub it between my hands to warm it up, and apply it to the dry areas of my face. It creates a barrier between my serums and the rest of the world so they can do the hard work overnight. Come morning, my face feels extra soft.

Rosemary Donahue

4. It’s also easy on the eyes.

While we’re on the subject of faces, I have a secret: I’m almost 30 and I’ve never touched a proper eye cream. For as long as I can remember, rather than using a separate product for that tiny, nearly undefinable area around and under my eyes, I’ve been using Aquaphor. I put a tiny bit of the magic stuff on my pinky (the finger with the least amount of strength) and pat it on around my eyes without pulling. I don’t have crow’s-feet yet, and while I’m not sure if it’s entirely because of Aquaphor, I’m going to keep on using it. In fact, though I can’t attest to its crow’s-feet avoidance capabilities, Marchbein says she also applies Aquaphor directly on her eyelids, which is said to “help prevent eczema or dry skin on the eyelids” during winter.

5. It helps repair cracked skin.

If you have super cracked or severely dry places on your hands or feet, you can use Aquaphor as a mask. (What, did you think masks were just for your face?) “It’s also a fabulous treatment for the cuticles, hands, and feet to help soften thick, dry skin,” says Marchbein. The best way to create your “mask,” she says, is by slathering a decent amount of Aquaphor onto hands and feet at night and then putting on some thick socks and gloves before bed. In the morning, your skin will feel soft, smooth, and repaired.

6. You can also use it to heal tattoos.

Though I’m not exactly covered with them, I have more than a few tattoos. Every time I get a new one, I make sure I’m stocked up on purse-size tubes of Aquaphor for the healing process. There are plenty of tattoo-specific brands of healing oils, balms, and lotions (many of them made and sold by tattoo studios themselves), but Aquaphor is often much cheaper, has more uses, and is also fragrance-free, which is a must for those with sensitive skin.

7. It’s a moisturizing makeup remover.

If you’re like me and need at least an extra 20 minutes built into your morning when attempting a cat eye, you also know that wiping away at the eye area with makeup remover and a tissue can take a toll on your skin. It can leave your eyes feeling raw, red, and teary, which ruins your makeup even when it’s been perfectly applied. That’s why I use Aquaphor (applied to a cotton swab) to fix mistakes made with liquid eyeliner. Aquaphor removes the makeup while moisturizing at the same time, so there’s no need for tears.

8. You can use Aquaphor to help prevent scars.

“As a dermatologist, I use Aquaphor in the office after surgical procedures and biopsies to speed wound healing, improve scar appearance, and prevent scabbing,” says Marchbein. “Studies have clearly shown that keeping a wound moist — like a scrape, cut, or tattoo — allows for better and quicker healing.” She notes that antibiotic ointments aren’t always necessary, as they can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Keep in mind, though, that Aquaphor is made with lanolin, while Vaseline isn’t, so for those with lanolin allergies, Vaseline may be the better choice for scar prevention.