I Slathered My Whole Face in Aquaphor for 30 Days—Here's What Happened (2024)

Not to brag, but three people in the airport complimented my glowing skin last week and literally begged to know what I'm using. And for the last month or so, I've been fielding questions about my skincare routine every time I post a selfie. My secret for all the inquiring minds out there? Slathering Aquaphor—yes, the iconic drugstore ointment—on my entire face.

I started slugging with Aquaphor after incorporating a higher-strength prescription tretinoin into my routine, which ended up causing major dryness, flaking, and irritation on my skin. Not only did Aquaphor fix my dryness and heal my skin barrier, but it gave me the most incredible glow.

But you better believe I had a lot of questions about using Aquaphor on my face before I just dove right into making it a part of my routine, so I talked with dermatologists Mona Gohara, MD, Nicole Ruth, MD, and Rachel Nazarian, MD to find all about how Aquaphor (and other occlusives) work, what slugging really is, and if using it all over my face would clog my delicate lil pores. Keep reading to figure out everything you need to know about using Aquaphor on your face, including the ideal time of day to apply it, whether or not it's right for your skin type, and more.

Is it okay to use Aquaphor on your face?

Yes, it is technically "okay" to use Aquaphor (or Vaseline, or any generic petroleum jelly for that matter) on your face, says Dr. Ruth. FYI: Aquaphor is made mostly of petroleum (a blend of mineral oils and waxes), lanolin (a greasy emollient that’s derived from sheep’s wool—more on that later), and glycerin (a gentle hydrator that pulls moisture from the air into your skin), all of which work together to create a protective barrier over your skin, kinda like a gentle, soothing hug. But what does it actually do?

What does Aquaphor do to your face overnight?

When used on your skin overnight, “Aquaphor prevents water from evaporating from your face, helping to improve your skin barrier function and keep your skin moisturized and healthy,” says Dr. Nazarian. A healthy, hydrated skin barrier means fewer breakouts, less redness and irritation, and even decreased fine lines and wrinkles. That’s why users across r/SkincareAddiction swear Aquaphor has the ability to transform irritated, dry skin into happy, smooth skin. "And if you have eczema patches or overall extremely dry skin, applying petrolatum to your face may be beneficial to relieve dryness and tightness," says Dr. Ruth.

Does Aquaphor clog pores on face?

Generally speaking, Aquaphor will not clog pores on your face. It's considered non-comedogenic and doesn't contain any true breakout-inducing ingredients. But the reality is that legit anything can cause breakouts, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Which is why both Dr. Gohara and Dr. Ruth say Aquaphor (and "slugging" in general—more on that later) might be a bit too occlusive for some folks. Plus, Dr. Nazarian warns that “slugging” during humid and hot seasons could block your pores from sweating properly, since the formula is so thick. “When sweat and oil can’t escape through your pores as they should, you might start to see an acne-like sweat rash, or itchy red bumps on the skin,” says Dr. Nazarian.

Of course, it’s unlikely you’ll be slathering a heavy layer of Aquaphor on your face then going for a jog in the middle of July (most people tend to slug at night when it’s actually most effective), but if you’re extra prone to sweating while you sleep or you have incredibly oily skin, you may want to skip this hack. As you know, everyone’s skin is different, and what works for your super-dry face might not work for your roommate’s oily T-zone. So just keep in mind: "Before lathering on a layer of petrolatum, see your dermatologist for a full evaluation of your skin," says Dr. Ruth.

Is Aquaphor good for slugging?

Aquaphor is great for slugging because it creates an occlusive barrier on your skin to keep hydration in all night long. It acts like a skincare blanket, swaddling all the good-for-you ingredients from your serums, toners, and moisturizers close to your skin to make them more effective. But on its own, occlusives don’t actually do any of the moisturizing.

Instead, its power is unlocked when you layer it over your skincare products, a technique that's been talked about all over Reddit and TikTok call “slugging” (since your face will look as shiny as a slug’s slime trail. Yum!). "I think slugging is truly the best kept secret—I do it every single night," says Dr. Gohara. "It really helps build a strong barrier, which makes the application of things like antioxidants, retinols, and peptides way smoother."

My experience slugging with Aquaphor:

For a month before bed, I applied my usual evening skincare products, including a rich moisturizer, and then smoothed on a thin layer of Aquaphor on top as the last step. At the end of the four weeks, my skin was so absurdly hydrated. My cheeks had a natural glow to them, which legit never happens with my combination skin, and my skin looked so plump and firm, likely because I wasn't not experiencing as much water loss.

And although I still have some breakouts, they're not nearly as inflamed and irritated as they typically would be. Because I have and oily T-zone, I just make sure to wash my face in the morning after slugging to remove the layer of oils before going in with makeup primer, foundation, etc.

Does Aquaphor help under eye circles?

Aquaphor can help make your under eyes look smoother and more hydrated, which can potentially, over time, help reduce the appearance of dark circles (plump, moisturized under eyes are less likely to show through darkness and veins). But you'll definitely want to pair it with a brightening eye cream or a retinol eye cream for quicker, more effective results.

Can Aquaphor make your eyelashes thicker?

Nope, Aquaphor won't make your eyelashes or eyebrows thicker, says Dr. Gohara. Think of Aquaphor as a conditioner: It's a great way to help strengthen your lashes and brows so they look shinier and healthier over time, but won't trigger hair growth (fyi: nothing but prescription Latisse can!). Just make sure you're extra careful when applying Aquaphor (or anything, really) near your eyes—and if you notice any redness or irritation, immediately remove it with a wet washcloth and stop using around your eyeballs.

Should I use Aquaphor or Vaseline on my face?

When it comes to Aquaphor and Vaseline, one isn't necessarily "better" than the other, but the main difference is that Aquaphor contains other moisturizing, sealing, and soothing ingredients ((see: lanolin, panthenol, glycerin, bisabolol, and mineral oil), while Vaseline is pure petroleum jelly. If you’re allergic to lanolin or mineral oil (it’s not common, but those with eczema or dermatitises are potentially more likely to have a reaction), try slugging with Vaseline instead. But if you really want a thick, rich, won’t-slip-off-your-face moisturizer to really soothe your skin issues, you might wanna stick with lanolin-filled Aquaphor instead.

The final verdict:

Okay, so Aquaphor definitely shouldn’t replace your moisturizer (because, you know, it isn’t a moisturizer), but it can help your skin better heal itself by locking in water and upping the effects of your usual skincare products, which, says Dr. Nazarian, “can make your skin softer and dewier over time.”

When it comes down to it, slugging certainly doesn’t work for everyone, and it’s always best to run anything new by your dermatologist before you try it. But if you (and your skin) are in the clear, try slathering on some Aquaphor every few nights and see if it’s the key you’ve been missing. Just be prepared to sacrifice your pillowcase in this pursuit of dewy skin (all’s fair in skin and war, right?).

Meet the experts:

• Nicole Ruth, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Weiser Skin and Orentreich Medical Group, both in New York, NY.
• Rachel Nazarian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology.
• Mona Gohara, MD, is an associate clinical professor of dermatologist at Yale School of Medicine, and a board-certified dermatologist at the Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut in multiple locations in CT.

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with five years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from moisturizers for acne-prone skin to eye creams for dark circles. She’s an authority in all skincare categories, but is an expert when it comes to putting Aquaphor on your face, since she's been doing it for years (under the guidance of dermatologists and aestheticians, of course).

Ruby Buddemeyer was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan for nearly three years, and has five years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and celebrity news across print and digital, including the best cleansing oils and dermaplaning. She worked with dermatologists and cosmetic chemists while researching for this story.