Aquaphor Products for Dry, Chapped, or Irritated Skin

What do Aquaphor products treat?

Aquaphor products are used to treat dry, chapped, or irritated skin and lips. Aquaphor products are also used to prevent wind and cold weather from drying out your skin and lips. They can also be used to treat minor burns, cuts, and scrapes. The main active ingredient in most Aquaphor products is petrolatum, which is a skin protectant. Petrolatum works to trap moisture on your skin by forming a barrier on your skin. This helps prevent water from evaporating off your skin, which can make your skin dry.

There are some Aquaphor products that are used to help treat diaper rash. Most of these products contain a skin protectant called zinc oxide. Zinc oxide works to form a barrier on the skin to help protect against irritants and wetness. There is one Aquaphor product used to help with itchiness that contains a corticosteroid called hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone works to reduce inflammation on your skin, which can help lessen your itching. 

There are Aquaphor products for adults, children, and babies of any age.

What are the most common side effects of Aquaphor products?

Any medicine may cause an allergic reaction, which can be serious or life-threatening. Stop using the medicine and get medical attention right away if you have any of the following signs of an allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching, skin rash, or hives
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Aquaphor products are usually well tolerated. You may experience side effects that may vary depending on the ingredients in the specific product you are using. This can include skin reactions at the application site, such as redness, irritation, stinging, or burning. 

As Aquaphor products contain different active ingredients (listed below), review the ingredients in your specific product to understand which side effects you might experience.

• Hydrocortisone
• Petrolatum
• Zinc oxide

What should I know before using Aquaphor products?

Aquaphor products are only meant to be used on your skin. Avoid getting them into your eyes. Most Aquaphor products should not be used on animal bites, deep wounds, puncture wounds, or serious burns. Read the label on the Aquaphor product you are using to make sure you are using it correctly, especially when using Aquaphor products for diaper rash. Stop using Aquaphor if your condition worsens, your symptoms last for seven days or more, or your symptoms clear up and come back within a few days. 

There may be side effects, additional warnings, and interactions with other medicines that are not listed here. These may vary depending on the combination of ingredients in the specific Aquaphor product you are using. Always check the label before taking any over-the-counter medicine. Do not use more than the recommended dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your health conditions and other medicines to help determine which products are safe for you.