Aquaphor vs CeraVe Healing Ointment: Honest Comparison
When skin is dry, cracked, or recovering, moisturizers alone often aren't enough — you need an occlusive, something that seals moisture in. The two names that come up in every discussion are Aquaphor Healing Ointment and CeraVe Healing Ointment. They look similar, they're used similarly, and both are dermatologist staples. But they're built on different philosophies, and one will suit you better depending on your skin.
This comparison sticks to what each product actually contains and how it behaves — no hype, no fake lab tests. If you're building a winter routine, see our Winter Skincare Routine for Dry Skin for the full picture.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment (14 oz)
- 41% petrolatum — the classic, maximum-strength occlusive base
- Multi-purpose: lips, hands, cracked heels, minor scrapes, post-procedure skin
- Fragrance-free and preservative-free
- Contains lanolin, which boosts its barrier feel
- The gold standard occlusive — nothing seals moisture in like high-percentage petrolatum
- Extremely versatile: one tub covers lips, hands, feet, and rough patches
- Long track record in wound and post-procedure care
- Great value in the large 14 oz size
- Contains lanolin — a small number of people are sensitive to it
- Greasy by design; it's not a daytime face product for most people
- Minimal "skincare" ingredients beyond the barrier base — it's a sealant, not a treatment
Price and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
CeraVe Healing Ointment (12 oz)
- Petrolatum-based occlusive with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid
- Lanolin-free, fragrance-free formula
- Developed with dermatologists for cracked, chafed, and extremely dry skin
- Works as a final "slugging" step over nighttime skincare
- Ceramides + hyaluronic acid add barrier-repair and hydration beyond simple occlusion
- Lanolin-free — better pick if lanolin bothers your skin
- Marginally more refined texture than classic petrolatum ointments
- Trusted by the sensitive-skin community as a slugging step
- Also greasy — it's an ointment, and ointments feel like ointments
- Typically costs a bit more per ounce than Aquaphor
- Overkill as a daytime product; best as a nighttime or spot-treatment step
Price and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
Head-to-head: the real differences
- Occlusive strength: Both are petrolatum-based, but Aquaphor's 41% petrolatum base is the more traditional, heavy-duty sealant. For raw, cracked, or recovering skin, Aquaphor's simplicity is its strength.
- Added skincare ingredients: CeraVe wins here — ceramides and hyaluronic acid mean it's supporting the skin barrier while it seals, not just sealing. Aquaphor is a purer barrier product.
- Lanolin: Aquaphor contains lanolin; CeraVe Healing Ointment is lanolin-free. If you've ever reacted to lanolin (or just prefer to avoid it), the choice is made for you.
- Texture and feel: Both are greasy ointments — anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something. Users generally describe CeraVe's as slightly more refined, but the difference is small.
- Value: Aquaphor's 14 oz tub typically offers the better price per ounce. CeraVe's 12 oz jar usually runs a little higher, reflecting the added ceramides and HA.
Which should you buy?
| Your skin / priority | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked, raw, or recovering skin | Aquaphor | The classic heavy-duty sealant — maximum occlusion, decades of track record |
| Sensitive to lanolin | CeraVe Healing Ointment | Lanolin-free formula with the same occlusive job |
| Nighttime "slugging" over serums | CeraVe Healing Ointment | Ceramides + HA support the barrier while sealing in your routine |
| Multi-purpose family tub (lips, hands, feet, scrapes) | Aquaphor | Bigger size, better value, the do-everything classic |
| Eczema-prone or barrier-damaged skin | CeraVe Healing Ointment | Ceramide content is specifically meant to support barrier repair |
| Best value per ounce | Aquaphor | Larger 14 oz size at a lower typical price point |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use these on my face?
Yes — that's the whole "slugging" trend: a thin layer as the final nighttime step seals in serums and moisturizer. Use a pea-sized amount warmed between your fingers, and avoid layering over strong actives like prescription retinoids unless your dermatologist says so.
Are these the same as Vaseline?
Close cousins, not twins. Vaseline is 100% petrolatum — a pure occlusive. Both Aquaphor and CeraVe Healing Ointment build on a petrolatum base with additional ingredients (Aquaphor adds lanolin and glycerin; CeraVe adds ceramides and hyaluronic acid). Pure petrolatum is the simplest and cheapest option; these two are the "upgraded" versions.
Which is better for eczema flare-ups?
Both are widely used during flare-ups to protect compromised skin. CeraVe's ceramide content gives it a slight edge for barrier support, but the most important factor is consistent, generous application — the best ointment is the one you'll actually use every night.
Will they clog pores?
Petrolatum is generally considered non-comedogenic — it sits on top of skin rather than penetrating pores. That said, sealing everything in means sealing in whatever is underneath, so apply over clean skin and avoid occluding over comedogenic products if you're breakout-prone.
The verdict
There's no bad choice here — both are excellent at their one job: sealing moisture in. Pick Aquaphor if you want the maximum-strength classic, the best value, or a do-everything family tub. Pick CeraVe Healing Ointment if lanolin bothers you, if you're slugging over a nighttime routine, or if barrier-supporting ceramides matter to you.
Honestly? Many skincare enthusiasts keep both: Aquaphor for lips, hands, and rough spots, and CeraVe Healing Ointment as the nighttime face sealant. For winter, either one is a strong final step in our Winter Skincare Routine for Dry Skin.