I've Been Using This Healing Ointment for Almost 20 Years, and It Keeps My Hands Smooth Year-Round

The test of time is one of the best ways to know if a skincare product works. The only must-have item in my minimal skincare routine that I have repurchased countless times over almost two decades is a multipurpose ointment that I solely accredit to helping me achieve silky smooth skin no matter the time of year.

I’ve always had dry skin that turns itchy in the winter, and it would get so bad my knuckles would bleed. During a doctor’s visit as a child, my pediatrician noticed my chapped and bleeding skin and recommended Aquaphor Healing Ointment - Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant to help keep my hands hydrated. While I’ve tried lotions here and there throughout the years, I continuously return to the Aquaphor ointment and use it daily—especially in the winter months. 

Aquaphor Healing Ointment - Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant

In an age of complicated skincare routines, having one hero product that accomplishes a lot is a great way to simplify your routine and save money. The Amazon best-seller is affordable at only $19 for a 14-ounce jar. You can use it on the body, hands, feet, and lips, plus, it helps treat minor cuts and burns—cutting down on the number of lotions on your bathroom counter. The jar lasts me months; I rarely have to rebuy, even with daily use, since a little bit goes a long way. It has saved my skin countless times but is particularly crucial in the dry winter when my hands become cracked and chapped quickly.

Aquaphor keeps it simple when it comes to formulation;  the main ingredient is petroleum jelly, and it’s fragrance-, preservative-, and dye-free. The simple makeup of the balm helps reduce any potential irritation and is extremely helpful for those with sensitive skin—I should know. I have found that the thicker ointment helps protect my skin and leaves my skin soft and hydrated. This method of layering lotions and creams under an ointment is also known as slugging, which dermatologists also recommend for those with dry, sensitive skin. However, if you are used to using lighter lotions and creams, though, the jelly-like texture of the ointment might take a bit to get used to. 

For me, as a long-term, veteran user of Aquaphor, I keep a 14-ounce tub on my nightstand and slather on a layer just about every night before bed to wake up with hydrated and itch-free skin. If a flare-up is particularly bad, a tip my pediatrician gave me was to cover your Aquaphor-coated hands in soft cotton gloves to let the balm seep into your skin overnight while your hands are protected.

I’m passing my favorite skincare on to the next generation, too. My baby has inherited my sensitive skin, and the Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment helps soothe his chapped skin, thanks to its gentle, hypoallergenic formula. Typically, I keep skincare to a minimum with my baby and prefer to let his skin breathe as much as possible. But a few weeks ago, a stubborn dry spot on his arm wouldn’t go away, so I applied one round of Aquaphor and covered it in a soft, loose onesie to keep the area protected. The next day, the chafing was completely gone.

As someone with dry hands, I never got compliments on my skin, but now it’s what I receive compliments on the most. Aquaphor’s Healing Ointment is my only must-have skincare product, going on for two decades. Shop similar skincare items below that will help repair and restore your skin.

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