Healing Ointment — Reddit Reviews
by CeraVe
Updated October 21, 2026
46.5% petrolatum seals moisture over ceramides; HG for tretinoin dryness and flaking.
What the community says
A petrolatum-rich occlusive with ceramides, mineral oil, and dimethicone, designed as the final layer over moisturizer. It shines on tretinoin peeling, eczema patches, and painfully dry skin, but acne-prone or rosacea-prone faces may find it too heavy.
What this means for you
What people love
Watch out for
- Thick, shiny, sticky; daytime wear is rough
- Can worsen acne, milia, or facial flares
- Rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis can flare
Product details
Use caution
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
Skin Barrier
Some evidence
Petrolatum: 13 studies tested it on its own. See all 22 studies
On Reddit: Dry-climate bedtime slugging seals moisturizer in overnight. 77 mentions
What the studies found
- Most studies found it helped the skin barrier
- It often helped dry, rough, or itchy skin look and feel better
- It helped the skin's protective layer heal faster after damage in some studies
- It could lower water loss through the skin, even after a single use
- Some studies found no clear difference for diaper rash or irritated skin
Eczema
Some evidence
Petrolatum: 6 studies tested it on its own. See all 8 studies
On Reddit: Bad hand flare-ups get slathered before bed, then covered with cotton gloves. 37 mentions
What the studies found
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 305 mentions across 29 threads
CeraVe Healing Ointment on Reddit, in one place — 29 threads from r/tretinoin, r/eczema and 5 more, summarized.
“I've recently discovered that using Cerave healing ointment over moisturizer really helps with peeling and flakey patches”
Mentioned
“Cerave healing ointment”
Mentioned
“really helps with peeling and flakey patches”
Mentioned
“First I tried using just Cetaphil gentle cleanser, Amerigel, and CeraVe healing ointment.”
Mentioned
“It helped a bit, but was not very gentle on my face.”
Mentioned
“Honest brand Honey balm (as an occupant alternative to Cerave Ointment)”
Mentioned
“Cerave healing ointment”
Positive
“when all that settles you can rub a tiny amount of cerave healing ointment over top”
Positive
“If it’s dry later I will add more moisturizer or pat on the cerave healing ointment.”
Positive
“either the original vaseline or the cerave healing ointment is recommended”
Mentioned
“it’s an occlusive so it’s very useful at the end of a routine to seal in any moisture”
Mentioned
“recommended - dyes etc in the lip therapy vaselines could cause breakouts”
Mentioned
“Seal it all in with CeraVe Healing Ointment”
Positive
“- Seal it all in with CeraVe Healing Ointment”
Positive
“PM:”
Positive
“Ive been using vaseline and Cerave healing ointment religiously”
Positive
“it seems like it clears up and comes back and spreads up and down his legs”
Positive
“My six year old is having trouble with eczema on the back of his knees.”
Positive
