Moisturizing Cream — Reddit Reviews
by Vanicream
Updated November 10, 2026
Petrolatum-rich barrier cream for tret dryness and eczema; clogs pores for some.
What the community says
A petrolatum-rich cream built to seal in moisture after cleansing, tretinoin, or a shower. Dry, reactive skin gets serious overnight occlusion; oily or acne-prone users may find it greasy, pore-clogging, and too warm.
What this means for you
Backed by 27 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 4 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
Watch out for
- Thick, greasy texture can sit on skin
- Closed comedones and breakouts are common complaints
- Can trigger burning, rash, or flushing
Product details
Use caution
Values
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
What TikTok says
From 8 TikTok videos3 sponsored, marked with outlined numbers
Sponsored creators say the cream suits dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin, and that one tub lasts for months 123. Unsponsored creators disagree: one says it cleared bumps on her arms 4, while another blames it for persistent clogged pores and paused use 5. One creator 6 found its smell surprising, though it felt nice afterwards. Creators in the educational videos 78 mention it only in product lists.
Sponsored means the creator disclosed a brand partnership or the video ran as a paid ad.
Videos open on TikTok in a new tab.
How to use it
From Reddit routinesHow Reddit uses it
Where to buy
What the science says
Petrolatum has some evidence of helping the skin barrier, as most studies found it helped skin hold water and lowered water loss 1. For eczema, petrolatum has some evidence of easing symptoms and scaling, though in one study another moisturizer helped more 2. The evidence is thinner for some barrier problems, since it did not clearly help established irritation or diaper rash in some studies 1.
- Petrolatum for skin barrier Some evidence · 22 studies
- Petrolatum for eczema Some evidence · 8 studies
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
How we grade researchFull ingredient list · 10
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream ingredients
Water, Petrolatum, Sorbitol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Simethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-30 Stearate, Sorbic Acid
Listed in label order, highest concentration first. Linked ingredients have their own page.
Real Reddit threads — 1,407 mentions across 27 threads
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream on Reddit, in one place — 27 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 4 more, summarized.
“[Before&After] Finding the right dermatologist makes a huge difference for me. 2 year difference using doxy, 50+ SPF sunscreen, Vanicream, 5 laser treatment and epiduo nightly.”
Positive
“I switched my lotion to vanicream which you can get at CVS or Walgreens for $16 and the jar lasts a very long time (3-4 months).”
Positive
“Both combos definitely help stop getting new dark spots...”
Positive
“Vanicream has helped me by using it every day to prevent flair ups.”
Positive
“I started using a product line called Vanicream. It was recommended by a derm, and I swear this stuff is magic.”
Positive
“I haven’t had a flare-up in three years or so :)”
Positive
“Then I immediately put on a layer of the Vanicream moisturizing cream while my skin is damp.”
Positive
“There’s absolutely nothing in it that could bother sensitive skin (no dyes, perfumes, lanolin, parabens, etc).”
Positive
“the thing that fixed it was this lotion/soap combo. I haven’t had a flare-up in three years or so :)”
Positive
“Vanicream moisturizing cream (the tub one not the tube lotions or moisturizers for the face those made my flare ups worse)”
Positive
“These might help for you but they're the only ones that has worked for me so far”
Positive
“my skin is pretty sensitive”
Positive
“topped with a thin layer of vanicream cream.”
Positive
“It works better than slugging ever did, and it's actually comfortable.”
Positive
“a thin layer of vanicream cream”
Positive
“Vanicream Moisturizing Cream also works great!”
Positive
“also works great”
Positive
“Vanicream Moisturizing Cream”
Positive
“Vanicream tub moisturizer or Evermere gel cream”
Positive
“AM: Vanicream facial cleanser”
Positive
“Whatever routine you have going on for your skin, keep at it”
Positive
Dupes & Alternatives
Often paired with
Products Redditors use alongside this one
Vanicream
Mentioned together in 92 threads
“Vanicream cleanser, Koriderm cream, Tretinoin (night time), Estriol (estrogen) facial cream (morning), Vanicream moisturizing cream.”
Vaseline
Mentioned together in 65 threads
“Vanicream then a layer of Vaseline over top of that”
Avene
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Mentioned together in 26 threads
“Avene Cicalfate layered under Vanicream Moisturizing Cream for babies.”
CeraVe
Mentioned together in 19 threads
“I use Cerave hydrating cleanser and vanicream moisturizing cream”