Best Skin Protectants & Healing Balms: 4 Essential Picks Compared

Skin protectants and healing balms are the unsung heroes of any skincare routine — sealing in moisture, repairing cracked skin, preventing chafing, and soothing irritation without complicated formulas or lengthy routines. Whether you need a dermatologist-recommended classic, an advanced therapy ointment, a baby-safe balm, or an active anti-chafe stick, our Skincare collection has the right formula. We’ve compared four standout picks so you can find the best skin protectant for your needs.

1. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly 50ml – £1.49

The Vaseline Petroleum Jelly 50ml is the most iconic and accessible skin protectant in this comparison — and at £1.49, it’s also the most extraordinary value. Triple-purified to remove impurities, it penetrates into surface skin layers and locks in moisture to create a protective barrier that helps dry skin heal and visibly reduces the appearance of fine, dry lines. Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and dermatologist-recommended for sensitive skin. A genuinely multi-purpose product that works for personal care, baby care, beauty, and everything in between. The original and still one of the most effective skin protectants available.

Best for: Everyday dry skin relief; lips, cuticles, heels, and elbows; sensitive skin; those who want maximum versatility at the lowest possible price.
Key ingredient: Triple-purified petrolatum | Size: 50ml | Formula: Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic
Standout feature: Triple-purified petrolatum at £1.49 — the most versatile and best-value skin protectant in this comparison by a significant margin.

2. Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy – 7oz Tube – £34.71

The Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy is the most clinically advanced formula in this comparison. Its 41% petrolatum base creates a semi-occlusive barrier that locks in moisture while allowing oxygen to flow — supporting the skin’s natural recovery process rather than simply sealing it off. Panthenol and Glycerin actively hydrate and nourish, making it effective for dry and cracked skin, minor cuts and scrapes, and diaper rash prevention and treatment. The convenient 7oz tube format makes liberal application easy, and the formula is gentle enough for daily use on dry or sensitive areas. A dermatologist-trusted staple for serious skin repair.

Best for: Cracked heels, dry cuticles, minor cuts and scrapes, and diaper rash; those who need a clinically advanced healing ointment for serious skin repair.
Key ingredients: 41% Petrolatum, Panthenol, Glycerin, Bisabolol | Size: 7oz tube | Formula: Semi-occlusive, non-irritating
Standout feature: Semi-occlusive barrier with Panthenol and Glycerin — the most clinically advanced healing formula in this comparison, actively supporting skin recovery.

3. Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm – £24.58

The Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm is the most gentle and baby-safe formula in this comparison. Fragrance-free and free from artificial preservatives, it creates a protective, breathable barrier that allows water vapour to pass through — accelerating the skin’s natural regeneration rather than simply occluding it. Clinically proven to soothe and protect even the most sensitive, cracked skin, it’s dermatologist-recommended and non-comedogenic. Suitable for daily use on babies and adults alike, it’s the most skin-kind and gentle protectant in this lineup — ideal for anyone with reactive, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin.

Best for: Babies and sensitive skin; eczema-prone and reactive skin; those who need a fragrance-free, preservative-free daily skin protectant.
Formula: Fragrance-free, preservative-free, non-comedogenic | Barrier: Breathable, allows water vapour | Certification: Clinically proven, dermatologist-recommended
Standout feature: Breathable barrier with zero fragrance or preservatives — the most gentle and baby-safe skin protectant in this comparison.

4. Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm – 42g – £31.31

The Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm is the most specialised and active-focused product in this comparison. Rather than healing existing dry or damaged skin, it prevents friction damage before it starts — creating an invisible, long-lasting barrier that stops chafing on thighs, arms, neck, chest, and under wetsuits. Petroleum-free, lanolin-free, and mineral oil-free, it keeps pores clear while you move, and the vegan stick format applies cleanly without mess or residue. The trusted choice for runners, cyclists, swimmers, and anyone whose skin suffers from friction during activity or everyday wear.

Best for: Runners, cyclists, and active people; thigh chafing; under wetsuits; anyone whose skin suffers from friction during sport or daily wear.
Format: 42g vegan stick | Formula: Petroleum-free, lanolin-free, mineral oil-free | Application: Pre-activity, invisible barrier
Standout feature: Petroleum-free anti-chafe stick — the only active friction-prevention formula in this comparison, designed for sport and movement.

Quick Comparison

Which Should You Choose?

For everyday dry skin relief on lips, cuticles, heels, and elbows — or if you simply want the most versatile skin protectant at the most extraordinary price — Vaseline Petroleum Jelly at £1.49 is impossible to beat. For serious skin repair — cracked heels, minor cuts, or diaper rash — the Aquaphor Advanced Therapy’s semi-occlusive formula with Panthenol and Glycerin is the most clinically advanced healing ointment in this comparison. If you have sensitive, reactive, or eczema-prone skin — or need a baby-safe daily protectant — the Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Balm’s breathable, fragrance-free, preservative-free formula is the most gentle and skin-kind choice. And for those who suffer from chafing during sport, running, or everyday activity, Body Glide’s petroleum-free anti-chafe stick is the only product in this comparison specifically designed to prevent friction damage before it starts.

Browse the full range in our Skincare collection and find the right skin protectant for your needs.