Aquaphor

Aquaphor is a brand of over-the-counter (OTC) skin care ointments manufactured by Beiersdorf Inc., an affiliate of Beiersdorf AG.

The brand was introduced in the United States in 1925. In accordance with the Food and Drug Administration's OTC Skin Protectant Monograph, Aquaphor contains 41 percent petrolatum (petroleum jelly) as its active ingredient.[1] It is used to temporarily protect minor cuts, scrapes, and burns, as well as chapped or cracked skin.[2] The product line includes ointments for compounding, general skin therapy, lip repair, and baby care.

Aquaphor is used and recommended by health care professionals for minor post-operative wounds or defects.[3]

History

Aquaphor was developed in 1925 in the United States laboratories of Beiersdorf Inc. It was trademarked that year by Herman A. Metz, the company's president. In 1929, Beiersdorf sold the Aquaphor trademarks to Duke Laboratories to facilitate manufacturing in the country.[4]

Properties and ingredients

In a study funded by Aquaphor's parent company, it was found that their "Healing Ointment" product was associated with (but did not cause) decreased redness around the wound but did not perform better than other products clinically.[6]

Aquaphor is not comedogenic and does not contain any fragrances, preservatives, or dyes.[7]

Unlike Vaseline (100% petrolatum), which is occlusive, Aquaphor (41% petrolatum) claims to form a semi-occlusive barrier on the skin. This theoretically enables the transmission of water and oxygen, which is important for wound healing and the formation of a protective moist healing environment.[8] However, no studies have been conducted using this brand to test these healing claims.

Key ingredients

Petrolatum: An active ingredient and OTC skin protectant, petrolatum forms an occlusive barrier on the skin and helps retain moisture.[2]
Mineral oil: A colorless, odorless, light oil, commonly obtained as a highly refined derivative of crude oil.[9] Baby oil is a perfumed variety of mineral oil.
Ceresin: A wax derived from the purification of the natural wax ozokerite.[10]
Lanolin alcohol: A subfraction of lanolin (wool wax) which imparts emulsifying and emollient properties. It is composed of cholesterol, other sterols, and free fatty acids.[11] Moisturizers containing Cholesterol and fatty acid mixtures have been shown to provide skin benefits.[12] Since this ingredient is sourced from wool from animals, this product is not suitable for vegans.
Glycerin: A humectant that attracts and binds moisture in the stratum corneum, helping to keep it hydrated. It is commonly used as a moisturizing agent in lotions, creams, and cosmetics. Most glycerin used in products in the U.S. comes from animals. If it is natural glycerin, it will typically be labeled ‘plant derived’.[13][14][15]
Panthenol: Also known as pro-Vitamin B5. When applied topically, it has humectant properties and conditions the skin.[16][17]
Bisabolol: Derived from the Chamomile plant, bisabolol can have anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic and healing effects.[18]

References

21 CFR Part 310 Drugs for Human Use retrieved 28 October 2014^

21 CFR Part 347 Skin Protectant retrieved 28 October 2014^

Rajiv I Nijhawan, Lauren A Smith, Mariwalla Kavita. The Use of Topical Emollients in Post-Operative Wound Care Among Mohs Surgeons Dermatol Surg, 2013^

Geoffrey Jones, Christina Lubinski. Managing Political Risk in Global Business: Beiersdorf 1914–1990 Oxford University Press, 2011, retrieved 28 October 2014^

Good Housekeeping > Good Housekeeping Seal retrieved 28 October 2014^

Nathan S Trookman, Ronald L Rizer, Teresa Weber. Treatment of minor wounds from dermatologic procedures: A comparison of three topical wound care ointments using a laser wound model Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2011^

Charles K Field, Morris D Kerstein. Overview of Wound Healing in a Moist Environment The American Journal of Surgery, 1994^

Definition of mineral oil Dictionary.com, retrieved 19 September 2017^

Definition of ceresin Dictionary.com, retrieved 19 September 2017^

Marie Loden, Ebba Barany. Skin-identical Lipids Versus Petrolatum in the Treatment of Tape-stripped and Detergent-perturbed Human Skin Acad Dermatol Venerol, 2008^

I. Buraczewska, B. Berne, M. Lindberg, H. Torma, M. Loden. Changes in skin barrier function following long-term treatment with moisturizers, a randomized controlled trial British Journal of Dermatology, 2007^

Sebastian Bjoerklund, Johan Engblom, Emma Sparr. Glycerol and urea can be used to increase skin permeability in reduced hydration conditions European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2013^

J.W. Fluhr, M. Gloor, L. Lehmann, S Lazzerini, F. Distante, E. Berardeska. Glycerol Accelerates Recovery of Barrier Function In Vivo Acta Derm Venereol, 1999^

J.W. Fluhr, R. Darlenski, C. Surber. Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions British Journal of Dermatology, 2008^

Fritz Ebner, Andreas Heller, Frank Rippke, Irene Tausch. Topical Use of Dexpanthenol in Skin Disorders American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002^

E. Proksch, H.P. Nissen. Dexpanthenol enhances skin barrier repair and reduces inflammation after sodium lauryl sulphate-induced irritation J Dermatol Treat, 2002^

S. Kim, E. Jung, JH Kim, YH Park, J. Lee, J. Park. Inhibitory effects of (-)-α -bisabolol on LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophages Food Chem Toxicol, 2011^

History

Properties and ingredients

Key ingredients

See also

External links

References

type	Skin protectant ointment
currentowner	Beiersdorf AG
introduced	1925