Aquaphor

Last updated

Aquaphor
Product typeSkin protectant ointment
Owner Beiersdorf AG
Introduced1925;99 years ago (1925)
Website Official website OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

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

Contents

Aquaphor is offered in four product ranges. There are two skin protectant ointments: [1] Aquaphor Original Ointment, used as a compounding agent; [2] [3] and Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment, sold in mass retail outlets. The other product ranges include: Aquaphor Lip Repair; Lip Repair + Protect SPF 30; and Aquaphor Baby.

Aquaphor has been available in the United States market for over 90 years. In accordance with the Food and Drug Administration's OTC Skin Protectant Monograph [1] Aquaphor, containing 41 percent petrolatum (or petroleum jelly), the active ingredient, temporarily protects minor cuts, scrapes, and burns; protects and helps relieve chapped or cracked skin and lips; helps protect from the drying effects of wind and cold weather. [4]

Aquaphor is used and recommended by health care professionals for minor post-operative wounds or defects. [5] Aquaphor is also very commonly recommended to use on freshly applied tattoos to aid with the healing process and burning side effects.

History

First US trademark for "Aquaphor", dated 26 May 1925 Aquaphor USPTO Trade-Mark 198807.jpg
First US trademark for "Aquaphor", dated 26 May 1925

1925: Aquaphor was developed in the Beiersdorf Inc laboratories in the USA. It was trademarked that year by Herman A. Metz, president of Beiersdorf Inc at that time.

1929: Beiersdorf sold Aquaphor’s trade marks to Duke Laboratories in order to manufacture products in the country. [6]

1936: Aquaphor’s first product offering was sold to doctors, pharmacists and hospitals in 5 lb. containers.

1960: Aquaphor production was discontinued during World War II and restarted by Duke Laboratiories in 1960. One lb cans and 2 oz tubes were sold to medical professionals. [6]

1973: Beiersdorf repurchased all trademarks from Duke Laboratories. [6]

1982: Aquaphor tube was introduced and directly sold to consumers for the first time.

1991: A new formulation Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment was launched, an addition to the Aquaphor Original Ointment.

2003: Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment & Gentle Wash were introduced.

2011: Aquaphor Lip Repair was introduced

2012: Aquaphor Lip Repair + Protect SPF 30 was launched and Aquaphor is launched globally by Beiersdorf affiliates in 25 other countries.

2013: Aquaphor achieved the Good Housekeeping Seal. [7]

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 in any way perform better than other products clinically. [8]

Aquaphor is not comedogenic and does not contain any fragrances, preservatives, or dyes. [9]

Unlike Vaseline (100% petrolatum), which is occlusive, Aquaphor (41% petrolatum) claims to form a semi-occlusive barrier on the skin. If correct, this in theory should enable the transmission of water and oxygen, which is important for wound healing and the formation of a protective moist healing environment. [10] 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. [4]

Mineral oil

A colorless, odorless, light oil, commonly obtained as a highly refined derivative of crude oil. [11] Baby oil is a perfumed variety of mineral oil.

Ceresin

A wax derived from the purification of the natural wax ozokerite. [12]

Lanolin alcohol

A subfraction of lanolin (wool wax), a mixture of hydrocarbons that imparts emulsifying properties and provides emollient (skin smoothing) properties. Lanolin alcohol is composed of cholesterol, other sterols, and free fatty acids. [13] Moisturizers containing Cholesterol and fatty acid mixtures have been shown to provide skin benefits. [14] Since this ingredient is sourced from wool from animals, this product is not suitable for vegans.

Glycerin

A moisturizing factor and humectant that attracts and binds moisture in the stratum corneum (outer-most layer of epidermis), 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’. [15] [16] [17]

Panthenol

Also known as pro- Vitamin B5, when applied topically, has humectant properties and conditions the skin. [18] [19]

Bisabolol

Derived from the Chamomile plant, bisabolol can have anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic and healing effects in-vivo. [20] [21]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lanolin</span> Yellow waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals

Lanolin, also called wool fat, wool yolk, wool wax, sheep grease, sheep yolk, or wool grease, is a wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals. Lanolin used by humans comes from domestic sheep breeds that are raised specifically for their wool. Historically, many pharmacopoeias have referred to lanolin as wool fat ; however, as lanolin lacks glycerides, it is not a true fat. Lanolin primarily consists of sterol esters instead. Lanolin's waterproofing property aids sheep in shedding water from their coats. Certain breeds of sheep produce large amounts of lanolin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petroleum jelly</span> Chemical substance used as a lubricating agent and topical ointment

Petroleum jelly, petrolatum, white petrolatum, soft paraffin, or multi-hydrocarbon, CAS number 8009-03-8, is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons, originally promoted as a topical ointment for its healing properties. Vaseline has been an American brand of petroleum jelly since 1870.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dihydroxyacetone</span> Chemical compound

Dihydroxyacetone, also known as glycerone, is a simple saccharide with formula C
3H
6O
3.

A humectant is a hygroscopic (water-absorbing) substance used to keep things moist. They are used in many products, including food, cosmetics, medicines and pesticides. When used as a food additive, a humectant has the effect of keeping moisture in the food. Humectants are sometimes used as a component of antistatic coatings for plastics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Topical medication</span> Medication applied to body surfaces

A topical medication is a medication that is applied to a particular place on or in the body. Most often topical medication means application to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes to treat ailments via a large range of classes including creams, foams, gels, lotions, and ointments. Many topical medications are epicutaneous, meaning that they are applied directly to the skin. Topical medications may also be inhalational, such as asthma medications, or applied to the surface of tissues other than the skin, such as eye drops applied to the conjunctiva, or ear drops placed in the ear, or medications applied to the surface of a tooth. The word topical derives from Greek τοπικόςtopikos, "of a place".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lip balm</span> Skin care product

Lip balm or lip salve is a wax-like substance applied to the lips to moisturize and relieve chapped or dry lips, angular cheilitis, stomatitis, or cold sores. Lip balm often contains beeswax or carnauba wax, camphor, cetyl alcohol, lanolin, paraffin, and petrolatum, among other ingredients. Some varieties contain dyes, flavor, fragrance, phenol, salicylic acid, and sunscreen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moisturizer</span> Type of cosmetics

A moisturizer, or emollient, is a cosmetic preparation used for protecting, moisturizing, and lubricating the skin. These functions are normally performed by sebum produced by healthy skin. The word "emollient" is derived from the Latin verb mollire, to soften.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neomycin/polymyxin B/bacitracin</span> Antibiotic medication

Neomycin/polymyxin B/bacitracin, also known as triple antibiotic ointment, is an antibiotic medication used to reduce the risk of infections following minor skin injuries. It contains the three antibiotics neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin. It is for topical use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ammonium bituminosulfonate</span> Chemical compound

Ichthammol or ammonium bituminosulfonate, also known as black ointment, is a medication derived from sulfur-rich oil shale. It is used as a treatment for different skin diseases, including eczema and psoriasis. It is applied on the skin as an ointments, most commonly containing 10% or 20% ichthammol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby oil</span> Skincare product

Baby oil is, in general terms, an inert oil for the purpose of keeping skin soft and supple. It is often used on babies for the purpose of maintaining "baby-soft" skin, but it is also often used by adults for skincare and massage.

Natural skin care uses topical creams and lotions made of ingredients available in nature. Much of the recent literature reviews plant-derived ingredients, which may include herbs, roots, flowers and essential oils, but natural substances in skin care products include animal-derived products such as beeswax, and minerals. These substances may be combined with various carrier agents, preservatives, surfactants, humectants and emulsifiers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panthenol</span> Pair / mixture of stereoisomers

Panthenol (also called pantothenol) is the alcohol analog of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), and is thus a provitamin of B5. In organisms, it is quickly oxidized to pantothenic acid. It is a viscous transparent liquid at room temperature. Panthenol is used in pharmaceutical and children's products as a moisturizer and to hasten wound healing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xeroderma</span> Excessively dry skin

Xeroderma, xerosis or xerosis cutis, or simply dry skin, is a skin condition characterized by excessively dry skin. The term derives from Greek ξηρός (xeros) 'dry' and δέρμα (derma) 'skin'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lotion</span> Skin treatment preparation

Lotion is a low-viscosity topical preparation intended for application to the skin. By contrast, creams and gels have higher viscosity, typically due to lower water content. Lotions are applied to external skin with bare hands, a brush, a clean cloth, or cotton wool.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skin care</span> Range of practices that support skin integrity

Skin care or skincare is a range of practices that support skin integrity, enhance its appearance, and relieve skin conditions. They can include nutrition, avoidance of excessive sun exposure, and appropriate use of emollients. Practices that enhance appearance include the use of cosmetics, botulinum, exfoliation, fillers, laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion, peels, retinol therapy, and ultrasonic skin treatment. Skin care is a routine daily procedure in many settings, such as skin that is either too dry or too moist, and prevention of dermatitis and prevention of skin injuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amcinonide</span> Chemical compound

Amcinonide is a topical glucocorticoid used to treat itching, redness and swelling associated with several dermatologic conditions such as atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Amcinonide can also be classified as a multi-functional small molecule corticosteroid, which has been approved by the FDA and is currently marketed as an ointment, lotion, or cream. It acts as both a transcription factor for responses to glucocorticoids and modulator for other transcription factors while also regulating phospholipase A2 activity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaseline</span> Brand of petroleum jelly-based products

Vaseline is an American brand of petroleum jelly-based products owned by transnational company Unilever. Products include plain petroleum jelly and a selection of skin creams, soaps, lotions, cleansers, and deodorants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitfield's ointment</span> Acidic ointment used for topical treatment of dermatophytosis

Whitfield's ointment is an acidic ointment used for the topical treatment of dermatophytosis, such as athlete's foot. It can have a slight burning effect that goes away after a few minutes. It is named after Arthur Whitfield (1868–1947), a British dermatologist.

A barrier cream is a topical formulation used in industrial applications and as a cosmetic to place a physical barrier between the skin and contaminants that may irritate the skin. There are many other terms for creams designed to protect skin from harmful substances, including skin protective creams, pre-work creams, antisolvent gels, protective ointments, and shielding lotions. Three classes of barrier creams are used: water repellent creams, water-soluble creams, and creams designed for special applications. Barrier creams may contain substances such as zinc oxide, talc or kaolin to layer over the skin. For hand care they are designed to protect against the harm from detergents and other irritants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Topical glucocorticoids</span>

Topical glucocorticoids are the topical forms of glucocorticoids. Topical glucocorticoids are used in the treatment of many skin conditions. They provide anti-inflammatory, antimitotic, and immune-system suppressing actions through various mechanisms.

References

  1. 1 2 FDA OTC> "21 CFR Part 310 Drugs for Human Use" . Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  2. ↑ UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy > "The Pharmaceutics and Compounding Laboratory" . Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  3. ↑ Pharmacist's Letter > "Non-Sterile Compounding for the Community Pharmacy: Topical Preparations and Oral Liquid Dosage Forms". Pharmacist's Letter. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  4. 1 2 "21 CFR Part 347 Skin Protectant" . Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  5. ↑ Nijhawan, Rajiv I; Smith, Lauren A; Kavita, Mariwalla (2013). "The Use of Topical Emollients in Post-Operative Wound Care Among Mohs Surgeons". Dermatol Surg. 39 (8): 2–6. doi:10.1111/dsu.12245. PMID   23777421. S2CID   205081548.
  6. 1 2 3 Jones, Geoffrey; Lubinski, Christina (2011). "Managing Political Risk in Global Business: Beiersdorf 1914–1990" (PDF). Oxford University Press: 21, 25, 31. Retrieved 28 October 2014.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ↑ Good Housekeeping > "Good Housekeeping Seal". p. 12. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  8. ↑ Trookman, Nathan S; Rizer, Ronald L; Weber, Teresa (2011). "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. 64 (3): 8–15. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2010.11.011 . ISSN   0190-9622. PMID   21247665.
  9. ↑ Trookman, Nathan S; Rizer, Ronald L; Weber, Teresa (2011). "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. 64 (3): 23–29. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2010.11.011 . ISSN   0190-9622. PMID   21247665.
  10. ↑ Field, Charles K; Kerstein, Morris D (1994). "Overview of Wound Healing in a Moist Environment". The American Journal of Surgery. 167 (1A): 2–6. doi:10.1016/0002-9610(94)90002-7. PMID   8109679.
  11. ↑ "the definition of mineral oil". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  12. ↑ "the definition of ceresin". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  13. ↑ Loden, Marie; Barany, Ebba (2008). "Skin-identical Lipids Versus Petrolatum in the Treatment of Tape-stripped and Detergent-perturbed Human Skin". Acad Dermatol Venerol. 80 (8): 412–415. doi: 10.1080/000155500300012774 . ISSN   0001-5555. PMID   11243632.
  14. ↑ Buraczewska, I.; Berne, B.; Lindberg, M.; Torma, H.; Loden, M. (2007). "Changes in skin barrier function following long-term treatment with moisturizers, a randomized controlled trial". British Journal of Dermatology. 156 (3): 492–498. doi:10.1111/J.1365-2133.2006.07685.X. PMID   17300239. S2CID   45437649.
  15. ↑ Bjoerklund, Sebastian; Engblom, Johan; Sparr, Emma (2013). "Glycerol and urea can be used to increase skin permeability in reduced hydration conditions". European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 50 (5): 638–645. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2013.04.022 . PMID   23643739.
  16. ↑ Fluhr, J.W.; Gloor, M.; Lehmann, L.; Lazzerini, S; Distante, F.; Berardeska, E. (1999). "Glycerol Accelerates Recovery of Barrier Function In Vivo". Acta Derm Venereol. 79 (6): 418–421. doi: 10.1080/000155599750009825 . PMID   10598752.
  17. ↑ Fluhr, J.W.; Darlenski, R.; Surber, C. (2008). "Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions". British Journal of Dermatology. 159 (79): 418–421. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08643.x. PMID   18510666. S2CID   22435026.
  18. ↑ Ebner, Fritz; Heller, Andreas; Rippke, Frank; Tausch, Irene (2002). "Topical Use of Dexpanthenol in Skin Disorders". American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 3 (6): 427–433. doi:10.2165/00128071-200203060-00005. ISSN   1175-0561. PMID   12113650. S2CID   35836478.
  19. ↑ Proksch, E.; Nissen, H.P. (2002). "Dexpanthenol enhances skin barrier repair and reduces inflammation after sodium lauryl sulphate-induced irritation". J Dermatol Treat. 13 (4): 173–178. doi:10.1080/09546630212345674. PMID   19753737. S2CID   24821603.
  20. ↑ Kim, S.; Jung, E.; Kim, JH; Park, YH; Lee, J.; Park, J. (2011). "Inhibitory effects of (-)-α -bisabolol on LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophages". Food Chem Toxicol. 49 (10): 2580–2585. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2011.06.076. PMID   21771629.
  21. ↑ Arenberger, P.; Arenbergerova, M.; Drozenova, H.; Hladikova, M; Holcova, S. (2011). "Effect of topical heparin and levomenol an atopic dermatitis: a randomized four-arm, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study". J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 25 (6): 688–694. doi: 10.1111/J.1468-3083.2010.03950.X . PMID   21214633. S2CID   13145100.
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