Your skin barrier isn’t just dry — it’s compromised. Like a brick wall with crumbling mortar.
CeraVe gets this. Their Healing Ointment isn’t just goop. It’s a three-part ceramide system that acts as the actual mortar to rebuild your wall.
A thick, petrolatum-based ointment. About $15 for 5oz. I tried it because “healing” sounded better than “slugging with Vaseline.” The claim? It locks in moisture *and* adds barrier-repairing ceramides.
The 3-Ceramide Combo
Not just one, but three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) identical to your skin’s.
Hyaluronic Acid
Pulls water into the skin *before* the ointment seals it in.
Petrolatum Seal
The 46% petrolatum creates an impenetrable, breathable occlusive layer.
Photo: kevin laminto / Unsplash
Petrolatum is the star occlusive — it prevents 99% of water loss. But the ceramides are the real workhorses. They’re the lipids that actually fill the cracks in your barrier.
- Ceramide NP (1): Restores barrier integrity.
- Ceramide AP (3): Supports skin’s moisture retention.
- Ceramide EOP (6-II): Strengthens the lipid layer.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Acts as a moisture magnet from within the seal.
Photo: Laura Chouette / Unsplash
Texture is clear, shiny, and supremely sticky. Like melted plastic wrap. It doesn’t “melt” — it *coats*. You will stick to your pillowcase.
By week two, my winter-chapped knuckles were smooth for the first time in months. The surprise? It healed a paper cut overnight. But it’s a night-only product. Full stop.
Measurable change: my eczema patches calmed down in 3 nights. No change: it’s still greasy. This is a repair tool, not a daily moisturizer.
It’s the smart person’s Vaseline. Does one job — barrier repair — exceptionally well. But you have to embrace the grease.