Product

CeraVe Healing Ointment

49.5% petrolatum with ceramides and no lanolin — which makes it the obvious swap if Aquaphor has ever irritated you.

At a Glance

Recommended

An occlusive forms a seal on the skin that slows water from escaping. Petrolatum is the best-known example, and it cuts water loss by over 98%. That is the mechanism behind any healing ointment.

Because an occlusive seals rather than hydrates, it works best over damp skin or a moisturizer. On its own over dry skin, it just traps the dryness.

The main reason to choose this over Aquaphor is lanolin. Lanolin is a common allergen, and this ointment skips it while getting the same benefit from petrolatum. If Aquaphor has ever irritated you, this is a sensible swap.

Key facts

Key active	Petrolatum 49.5%
Texture	Thick, non-greasy ointment
Best for	Cracked or chapped skin; anyone who reacts to lanolin
Approximate price	$9–16 (by size)
Fragrance	Fragrance free

How it works

The single best reason to choose this over Aquaphor: it has no lanolin.

Lanolin is a genuinely common contact allergen — the American Contact Dermatitis Society named it Allergen of the Year in 2023, and roughly 3% of patch-tested people react. CeraVe's ointment gets the same occlusive benefit from 49.5% petrolatum without it.

Petrolatum cuts water loss by over 98%. That is the mechanism, it is well proven, and it is what makes any healing ointment work.

The added ceramides and hyaluronic acid are a reasonable bonus — they hydrate as well as seal.

Less greasy than Aquaphor, which most people notice immediately.

Everyday habits

How to use it

When: Any time, but especially at night (PM) for cracked or chapped areas.How much: A thin layer over the area. A little spreads a long way. Steps: Apply to slightly damp skin after cleansing, or over a moisturizer. It seals water in, so damp skin helps. Tip: Use it as the last step to lock in a moisturizer or a treatment overnight.

Who should be careful+

CeraVe's own product page contradicts itself. The page claims the ointment is "formulated without… preservatives" — while the ingredient list on that same page includes phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin. Those are preservatives. It is a small thing, but it is exactly the kind of claim a brand should get right.

It is still an ointment. Thick, shiny, and it will transfer onto fabric.

A class action filed in July 2026 alleges CeraVe's Baby Healing Ointment is functionally identical to the adult version while costing 20–30% more per ounce. The case is unresolved and we take no view on it — but if you are buying the baby version, it is worth reading the two ingredient lists side by side.

More expensive than Aquaphor for a similar job.

Questions people ask+

How is it different from Aquaphor?It contains no lanolin, so it is a good choice if lanolin has irritated you.

Is it fragrance-free?Yes. There is no added fragrance.

Is it greasy?It is an ointment, so it is thick and shiny, but most people find it less greasy than Aquaphor.

Does it hydrate on its own?It mainly seals. Apply it over damp skin or a moisturizer for the best result.

Can I use it on my lips or hands?Yes. It suits cracked or chapped skin on the lips, hands, and body.

Full ingredient list+

Active ingredients: Petrolatum 49.5%

Inactive ingredients: mineral oil, microcrystalline wax, glycerin, paraffin, synthetic wax, ceramide NP, ceramide AP, ceramide EOP, carbomer, water, triethyl citrate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium hyaluronate, cholesterol, tocopheryl acetate, tocopherol, caprylyl glycol, panthenol, phytosphingosine, xanthan gum, benzoic acid

References+

1. Lanolin: The 2023 American Contact Dermatitis Society Allergen of the Year (https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/264576/contact-dermatitis/lanolin-2023-american-contact-dermatitis-society) — Confirms lanolin was named the 2023 American Contact Dermatitis Society Allergen of the Year and reports that 3.3% (1431/43,691) of NACDG patch-tested patients had a positive reaction, backing the roughly-3% figure. 2. Effects of petrolatum on stratum corneum structure and function (J Am Acad Dermatol, 1992; DOI 10.1016/0190-9622(92)70060-s) (https://doi.org/10.1016/0190-9622(92)70060-s) — Foundational human study of petrolatum's occlusive properties and its effect on stratum corneum barrier and transepidermal water loss, the mechanism behind healing ointments. 3. Petrolatum: Barrier repair and antimicrobial responses underlying this 'inert' moisturizer (J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2015; DOI 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.08.013) (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2015.08.013) — Peer-reviewed source documenting that petrolatum is a highly occlusive moisturizer that reduces transepidermal water loss by more than 98% while promoting barrier repair, supporting the >98% water-loss claim. 4. Lanolin (Dermatitis, 2023; DOI 10.1089/derm.2022.0002) (https://doi.org/10.1089/derm.2022.0002) — Review confirming lanolin is a recognized contact allergen with patch-test positivity that varies by population (e.g., 0.4% in the general European population, higher in at-risk groups), supporting the description of lanolin as a common contact allergen. 5. CeraVe Healing Ointment for Very Dry, Chafed & Cracked Skin (https://www.cerave.com/skincare/moisturizers/healing-ointment) — Manufacturer page confirms the ointment is lanolin-free and formulated with petrolatum as the occlusive active plus ceramides and hyaluronic acid; note it lists the active as Petrolatum 46.5%, not 49.5%.