Our research | Behind the science of Aquaphor| Eucerin

Skin works hard to protect our bodies, but it can become very dry, cracked and chapped as a result. It needs SOS care, and that’s what Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment delivers. `Aqua` is the Latin for water, and `phor’ comes from the Ancient Greek ‘phoros’ which means ‘bearer’ or ‘carrier’. As the name suggests, the product protects skin by helping it to retain moisture. Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment is clinically proven to restore smooth, healthy-looking skin and is ideal for dry, cracked skin. This article looks at the science behind this popular formula.

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Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment was first introduced in the US in 1925 and has been a success ever since.

Alexander Filbry, PhD, who works on Product Development for Eucerin Body, has witnessed Eucerin Aquaphor’s rapid growth in popularity first hand.

"There are many obvious reasons for Aquaphor’s great success: its effectiveness, the fact that it is a water-free ointment that generates the ideal environment to regenerate damaged or irritated skin, its tolerability on irritated skin and, not least, its numerous uses."

The unique way in which the product works makes it suitable for a wide range of skin conditions. Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment is clinically and dermatologically proven to restore smooth, healthy-looking skin by healing dry, cracked skin.

Aquaphor Eucerin is manufactured by Beiersdorf — Beiersdorf’s research and development center is based in Hamburg, Germany

Eucerin Aquaphor: Dr Filbry — Eucerin scientist Dr Filbry explains the science behind Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment

“Eucerin’s solution to damaged skin works in several ways to support skin repair,” explains Dr Filbry. “When skin is irritated, or extremely dry or cracked, providing the correct conditions for skin regeneration is vital.” He explains how Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment creates the ideal environment for skin regeneration. “The water-free formula creates a semi-occlusive, protective barrier on the skin that regulates the rate of water vapor loss and helps skin to retain the moisture it needs.”

The formula includes ingredients that work to restore healthy-looking skin. Dr Filbry explains that Panthenol is known to improve skin’s health and Glycerin has moisturizing properties that improve skin’s natural barrier function.

Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment – multitasker

“Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment not only helps to heal dry, cracked skin,” explains Dr Filbry, “it also conditions and soothes skin.” This makes it ideal for a wide range of skin conditions which include soothing dry or chaffed skin. Dr Filbry also adds that Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment “can help athletes care for skin prone to rubbing, blisters and other skin conditions that occur as a result of frequent exercise.”

Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment is well tolerated by sensitive skin, gentle and non-comedogenic. It is also free from fragrances and preservatives.

“The formula contains a minimal number of ingredients,” adds Dr Filbry, “so it is also gentle enough for use on highly irritable skin”.

Eucerin Aquaphor: baby skin — Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment is gentle on sensitive skin

Eucerin Aquaphor: hand and cuticle care — The ointment is ideal for very dry hands and cuticle care

Proven efficacy and tolerability

Several dermatological studies have proven the efficacy and tolerability of Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment:

Overall effectiveness
A 10-day trial in clinical conditions with a sample of 25 people aged between 18 and 50, showed that Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment significantly improved the time it took to heal dry, cracked skin.

Effectiveness in treating dry, rough and cracked skin on the hands
In a further 7-day clinical study, a sample of 17 people applied Eucerin Aquaphor regularly to one hand while leaving the other hand as a control. The study measured the results clinically using a corneometer (a scientific instrument used to measure skin hydration) as well as collecting feedback from the respondents. The results demonstrated that:

The ointment delivers a statistically significant and noticeable improvement overnight to dry skin on the hands.
With regular use for seven days skin condition continues to improve

Overall tolerability
A tolerability study with a sample of 202 people aged between 17 and 65 showed no allergic reactions on using the product and demonstrated the excellent tolerability of the product.

Non-comedogenic
In a further test, a sample of 27 people aged between 19 and 55 used the product at least once a day for four weeks. The dermatologists who evaluated the results concluded that the ointment is non-comedogenic.