There’s a lot of baby stuff you don’t need.
And then there’s Aquaphor.
You will absolutely need lots and lots of diaper cream for your baby, and Aquaphor will be your main Go-To for everyday use.
But when you’re shopping or building your registry, you’ll probably end up wondering:
What’s the difference between Aquaphor vs Aquaphor Baby? Are they the same thing with the same ingredients?
Aquaphor Healing Ointment and Aquaphor Baby contain the same ingredients (both active and inactive) in the same amounts. Some people claim that original Aquaphor has fewer ingredients and doesn’t contain panthenol and basiabolol, but that’s not true as of the time of this writing! Outside of the packaging, these two products are exactly the same.
Let’s take a closer look and clear up some of the confusion about two different kinds of Aquaphor.
What is Aquaphor Healing Ointment? (Ingredients Explained)
Aquaphor is a, well, healing ointment!
Right on the container it says it’s meant for “dry, cracked, or irritated skin.”
Mostly, it works by creating a protective layer that traps moisture against the skin and promotes healing.
The main ingredient, Petrolatum (or petroleum jelly) achieves this when applied in a thick layer over rashes, burns, cracks, or wounds.
But Aquaphor has a lot of great secondary ingredients that help, as well, including glycerin (which binds moisture to the skin) and bisabolol, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
Panthenol is a form of vitamin B5 and is known for its ability to improve skin’s hydration, elasticity, and smooth appearance
And then there’s the mineral oil, which further promotes skin repair.
So you can see why Aquaphor is so handy to keep around. It’s particularly helpful for minor burns, cuts and scrapes, chapped lips, cracked skin, and rashes.
Pros and Cons of Aquaphor
There are lots of lotions, ointments, and balms on the shelf at the store.
Why does Aquaphor deserve a spot in your medicine cabinet?
For starters:
Pro: It’s affordable
Aquaphor is really just petroleum jelly with some vitamins and minerals. It’s not an expensive medicinal balm, and you can really make a jar of the stuff last for a long time.
Just grab and dab a little bit when your lips are chapped or you’ve got a stubborn cut.
(You can usually get a large tub of the stuff for about $15.)
Pro: It goes on easy
One thing I love about Aquaphor is that it’s easy to handle.
Unlike Vaseline and some other skin products, you won’t need to wash your hands with nuclear-grade soap to remove it after you’re done applying.
Rub the extra into your hands like a moisturizer, or wash with basic hand soap and it comes right off.
But there’s no harm in applying the extra to your face, lips, ashy body parts, or anywhere else!
Con: It’s not that powerful
Aquaphor is best for every day treatment of minor cuts, scrapes, dry skin, etc.
If you have a serious rash or wound, the basic vitamins and minerals in Aquaphor aren’t going to cut it, and you’ll want to pick up something stronger.
(Load up on regular Aquaphor on Amazon here.)
What is Aquaphor Baby? (Ingredients Explained)
So when you’re shopping for for baby or building your newborn registry, you’ll probably run into a product called Aquaphor Baby.
It looks exactly like original Aquaphor but with the word Baby scrawled out in curse along the front!
Is there a difference between these products?
Not really, no!
According to the official Aquaphor website, the ingredients listed for Aquaphor Baby are the same as for traditional Aquaphor.
A lot of sources out there online claim that Aquaphor Baby is better for diaper rashes because it includes certain special ingredients (like bisabolol and panthenol), but I have to break it to you — regular Aquaphor has those, too!
I’ve also seen some folks claim that Aquaphor Baby is chamomile scented, but as someone who has used about four thousand tubs of Aquaphor in my day, not a single one ever came with a scent.
The only difference between Adult vs Baby Aquaphor is in the product packaging.
You MAY find a price difference depending on where you shop. Some people claim Aquaphor Baby is marked up, but most online shops including Amazon and Walmart sell them for about the same price.
Pros and Cons of Aquaphor Baby
Get ready for a shocker…
The pros and cons of Baby Aquaphor are… exactly the same as adult!
This is a must-have. You’ll want a nearly full tub around at almost all times to treat mild diaper rashes and even prevent them in the first place.
The main con to add, though, is that Aquaphor Baby isn’t usually enough for severe diaper rash.
In really bad cases, you’ll want to use something like Triple Paste or a medicated cream to really knock it out.
Sometimes we’ll use diaper rash cream and layer a thick coating of Aquaphor on top for the best results and fastest healing.
(Check the current price on Aquaphor Baby right from Amazon here.)
Wrapping Up
So there you have it. Mystery solved.
Aquaphor and Baby Aquaphor are exactly the same, according to the manufacturer, as of this writing.
Recipes and ingredients could change, so keep a look out. You’ll hear a lot of different rumors about these products, but for all intents and purposes, they work the same exact way.
My recommendation? See which one is cheaper in your local store and stock up! You can never have enough Aquaphor, trust me.
For more, see:
- Baby getting diaper rash at daycare
- Diaper pail vs trashcan
- Baby wipes vs regular wipes
- Talcum powder vs baby powder
Hope this helps!