Dermatologist warns woman to only use Vaseline after Aquaphor did this to her face

Photo by@sharonkxie/TikTok Emma'sPhotos/ShutterStock MiyikiksAnjay/ShutterStock

‘I thought they were the same thing?’. A dermatologist has issued a warning after a woman shared her experience with Aquaphor, claiming it caused adverse reactions on her face. The woman reported experiencing irritation or breakouts after using the product, leading the dermatologist to recommend switching to Vaseline instead. The warning highlights the importance of being cautious with skincare products, as different formulations can affect individuals in various ways.

An Aquaphor user had a major eczema flare-up and claims her dermatologist told her to stop using it and switch to Vaseline.

In a video with over 1.2 million views, content creator Sharon K. Xie (@sharonkxie) shares why her dermatologist advised her to stop using Aquaphor and switch to Vaseline for her skin. She details her experience, highlighting the issues she faced with Aquaphor and how Vaseline has proven to be a better option for her skin's needs. The video has sparked discussions about the differences between these products and their effects on skin health.

“Yesterday I went to the dermatologist and he told me to stop using Aquaphor,” Xie begins.

“I’m currently facing an eczema flare-up around my mouth, so I asked my doctor what do I do and he told me to cut out everything and just use Vaseline,” she recalls.

When Xie told her physician that she was applying Aquaphor, he quickly advised her to stop using it because of a crucial component in Aquaphor called lanolin.

“[He said] ‘only use Vaseline because Aquaphor has other ingredients such as lanolin, which I didn’t realize [Aquaphor] had lanolin in it honestly,” she says.

Xie clarified that although she was aware that Aquaphor and Vaseline were distinct items, she believed they were somewhat "swappable."

“If you have really sensitive skin, you really just need the basic ingredients that keep your skin moisturized,” she says. “Vaseline is 100% petroleum jelly and Aquaphor has a bunch of ingredients.”

“What you’re seeing is just Vaseline,” Xie says as the video ends, gesturing to her face, “and I’m going to see if it helps my skin.”

Viewers weigh in

In the comments, participants expressed their views and personal stories regarding the two skincare items.

“I also switched to Vaseline and my eczema has calmed back down,” one person wrote.

“Everyone is different. I use Aquaphor on eczema and my skin is baby smooth,” came another comment.

“I think I developed an allergy for overusing Aquaphor,” one wrote. “It looked similar to what your skin is right now and Vaseline wasn’t helping. I even had to stop using Cerave. Best of luck to you friend!”

“I am allergic to Aquaphor. Vaseline is the GOAT,” yet another user wrote.

Different people recommended different items, such as someone who mentioned, "The Cerave healing ointment is amazing for my eczema! It also helps with the flare-ups near my mouth."

Xie responded, “I got this and was applying it like crazy along with aquaphor so idk which thing I’m reacting to or if it’s both but I’ve stopped both now and it’s calmed down a lot.”

In other comments, she added, “‘I think I might have overused [aquaphor,]” and “I may have developed some kind of allergy.”

How can Aquaphor and Vaseline cause allergic reactions?

According to My Eczema Team, although Aquaphor is fragrance- and preservative-free, it contains lanolin, which can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. Symptoms of such reactions may include discoloration, swelling, blistering, and itchiness. For those with a lanolin allergy, Vaseline is often recommended as a safer alternative for treating eczema and dry skin. This highlights the importance of understanding ingredient sensitivities when choosing skincare products.

According to WebMD, a serious allergic reaction to petroleum jelly is rare; however, symptoms of one can include itching, swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

As always, users should consult their dermatologist to determine which product is best suited for their skin. Individual needs can vary, and a healthcare professional can provide personalized recommendations based on specific skin types and concerns.