Chances are, you have a tub of classic Vaseline Petroleum Jelly somewhere in your home. It's a go-to for a reason - this affordable, no-fuss staple provides an incredible protective barrier that locks in moisture, soothes chapped lips, and heals dry, cracked skin like nothing else.
But if you're looking for something with a different texture, added ingredients, or a more specialized formula, you're in the right place. For those who swear by Vaseline's hydrating power, here are 16 similar brands that deliver serious nourishment and skin protection.
Often seen as Vaseline's closest cousin, Aquaphor Healing Ointment is a dermatologist-favorite for a reason. While both create a protective barrier, Aquaphor's formula is enriched with glycerin to pull in extra moisture, making it incredibly effective for healing extremely dry, cracked skin. It feels slightly richer and more emollient than Vaseline, offering a bit more therapeutic power for compromised skin.
Shop now at aquaphorus.com
If you love the simple, gentle approach of Vaseline but want ingredients that work to restore your skin barrier over time, CeraVe is a perfect choice. Their creams and lotions are packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, providing long-lasting hydration without a heavy feel. Think of it as the daily CeraVe moisturizer maintains your skin, while an occlusive like Vaseline protects it in moments of extreme dryness.
Shop now at cerave.com
Staying within the family, the Vaseline Intensive Care line takes the moisturizing power of Vaseline jelly and incorporates it into lightweight, everyday body lotions. These formulas are less greasy and absorb faster, making them ideal for all-over body hydration. You can find options infused with ingredients like soothing aloe or rich cocoa butter for an added sensory bonus.
Shop now at vaseline.com
Another dermatologist-backed favorite, Eucerin specializes in skincare for very dry and sensitive skin conditions like eczema. Their creams and ointments often feature ingredients like urea and ceramides for serious skin repair. While Vaseline is a fantastic universal protectant, Eucerin offers more complex, targeted solutions for those who need extra therapeutic care from their moisturizer.
Shop now at eucerinus.com
Aveeno is known for its gentle, skin-soothing formulas featuring colloidal oatmeal. Its lotions provide a non-greasy, calming barrier that's perfect for everyday use on dry or easily irritated skin. If you find pure petroleum jelly a bit too heavy, Aveeno's lightweight lotions offer nourishing hydration with the bonus of a naturally calming key ingredient.
Shop now at aveeno.com
With its iconic blue tin, Nivea Creme is a classic nourishing staple much like Vaseline. The Nivea range offers rich, emollient formulas with comforting scents that feel a bit more luxurious for daily use. If you want deep hydration with a more creamy texture and a gentle fragrance, Nivea's products are an excellent, equally affordable alternative.
Shop now at nivea.com
For those with very sensitive or damaged skin, this French pharmacy brand is a game-changer. Their Cicaplast Baume B5 is a cult favorite multipurpose soothing balm that helps repair and hydrate the skin barrier with ingredients like madecassoside and panthenol. It's a step up from Vaseline if you're looking for a refined formula that actively calms redness and irritation while locking in moisture.
Shop now at laroche-posay.us
Famed for its cocoa butter formulas, Palmer's offers intense nourishment with a natural, comforting scent. Its rich creams and oils are amazing for softening very dry areas and are especially popular for preventing stretch marks. While Vaseline provides fragrance-free protection, Palmer's delivers a more indulgent and aromatic moisturizing experience.
Shop now at palmers.com
Originally formulated for delicate baby skin, Johnson's lotions and petroleum jelly are beloved by adults with sensitive skin. Their products are hypoallergenic, mild, and designed to gently moisturize without irritation. Like Vaseline, they provide straightforward, reliable hydration that you can trust on even the most delicate skin.
Shop now at johnsonsbaby.com
If you want serious moisture with an ethical focus and a sensory twist, dive into The Body Shop's famous body butters. Made with natural, community-sourced ingredients like shea butter and almond milk, these rich creams provide lasting hydration in an array of beautiful scents. It's a fun, fragrant alternative to Vaseline's utilitarian simplicity.
Shop now at thebodyshop.com
For fans of natural skincare, Burt's Bees is a must-try. Their products use beeswax, botanicals, and other plant-based ingredients to create nourishing balms and moisturizers. Their aesthetic is wholesome and rustic, offering a natural counterpart to Vaseline’s mineral oil-based formula. The all-purpose Res-Q Ointment is a great alternative for soothing irritated spots.
Shop now at burtsbees.com
Known for unbelievably affordable makeup, e.l.f. also has a skincare line that punches way above its price point. Products like their Holy Hydration collection feature modern ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane to provide lightweight moisture. e.l.f. offers a trendy and effective take on hydration for shoppers who want efficacy without the high cost.
Shop now at elfcosmetics.com
Another pick from the brand itself, this version combines the protective power of classic petroleum jelly with the soothing properties of aloe. It's an excellent choice for after-sun care or for calming down mildly irritated skin. If you love the original but want a little something extra for calming sensitive spots, this is your formula.
Shop now at vaseline.com
Himalaya builds on Ayurvedic principles, using herbal and botanical ingredients to nourish the skin. Their creams often feature gentle, soothing extracts like aloe vera and winter cherry. For those seeking plant-based solutions, Himalaya provides affordable yet effective hydration with a natural focus that distinguishes it from pure petroleum jelly.
Shop now at himalayawellness.in
SheaMoisture is synonymous with deep, rich hydration thanks to its shea butter-infused products. Their lotions and creams offer intense nourishment that sinks in beautifully, leaving skin soft and glowing. If you want the conditioning benefits of plant butters in a luxuriously thick formula, SheaMoisture is a fantastic choice for thirsty skin.
Shop now at sheamoisture.com
Garnier SkinActive offers reliable, budget-friendly moisturizers that make it a great drugstore find. Their formulations are designed for practical, everyday use, focusing on comfortable hydration that absorbs quickly without a greasy feeling. It stands as another solid, affordable option for maintaining skin's moisture in the same price range as Vaseline.
Shop now at garnierusa.com
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