The clocks have gone back, and the temperatures have started to drop, which can only mean one thing: Winter is officially upon us. With every seasonal shift, your body starts to crave something new — and that includes what you put on your skin. As the cold sets in *sigh,* I’m always on the hunt for something to soothe the dryness and discomfort that comes with the season. This year, as my skin has started to feel tight, chapped and flaky, I’ve been reaching for Aquaphor’s Healing Balm Stick.
I’ll let you in on a little secret, though — I actually bought this before the weather started to turn frosty. I’d been seeing a lot of buzz on social media highlighting its effectiveness. And later, I was (inevitably) targeted by Instagram ads where I stumbled upon a viral video claiming this to be the new holy grail trick makeup artists are using to combat creasing. Naturally, because I’m so nosy (and easily influenced), I couldn’t resist testing it out myself. While I can confirm that my skin loves it, I have some thoughts on whether it does exactly what the makeup pros are stating it does for creasing.
Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick, $10.47
What makes the Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick so appealing are its immediate (and visible) hydrating effects. I love instant gratification (who doesn’t?), and that’s exactly what you’ll get with this product. It goes on clear, is fragrance-free and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. The balm is packed with natural skin healers, including avocado oil and shea butter, as well as petrolatum, which is widely considered to be one of the best skin protectants.
Usually, you’d find these nourishing ingredients in products like creams and lotions, which are a must for skin care, especially during winter. But those can be messy and time-consuming to lather on and reapply. That’s where the Aquaphor Healing Balm stands out as a fan favorite: it’s convenient and easy to apply. Its twist-up stick design lets you glide it over skin seamlessly as often as you need throughout the day, wherever you are. The cute, compact size fits right into your palm, making it the perfect travel companion. It provides head-to-toe hydration, whether you need to moisturize dry patches on your face, combat ashy elbows, or soothe chapped lips. It can even help treat cracked heels and be used to prevent chafing!
As for the less obvious uses, let’s dive into the makeup routine hacks — which I’ve personally put to the test. And not to be dramatic, but since incorporating this balm into my skincare routine, it’s become an essential step I’ve realized my skin can’t live without. When I forget to apply it, I notice a significant difference in how my skin feels and how well secondary products absorb and sit on my skin. My target areas are my under eyes and laughter lines. I have combination, acne-prone skin, but thanks to the balm’s lightweight nature, I haven’t had to worry about breakouts in those areas. (And FWIW, I haven’t broken out anywhere I’ve applied it.) I use it on freshly cleansed and toned skin, over my snail mucin serum and under my tinted moisturizer and concealer as a priming base.
It’s an MVP for me because it gives my skin an instant glow that locks in moisture. I’ve noticed that it forms a protective layer that seems to blur and fill in fine lines better than if I were to go without it — or use an alternative under-eye cream. My makeup applies more smoothly and doesn’t crease as much initially, but I wouldn’t go as far as saying the priming, no-crease effects last all day. After a few hours, my makeup can look a little bit cakey, though I don’t think that’s necessarily down to the balm. I was obviously turned onto this by other users (it has a 4.8/5 overall rating on Amazon from thousands of reviewers) so don’t just take my word for it — they can also attest to its dewy finish, calling it a “miracle worker” and noting that it “works beautifully” before applying concealer.
I’ll continue to integrate this into my makeup routine because I believe in its hydrating power. I’ve also used it on other dry areas, like my elbows, and I’ve never experienced softness quite like it. Thanks to its balm-like consistency, it’s transfer-resistant and absorbs effectively without any mess. If you experience dry patches anywhere on your body and want a product that streamlines your routine while delivering instant results on the go, keep this balm handy. Achieving immediate and long-lasting hydration has never been easier — it’s what I, along with thousands of reviewers, believe make the Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick worth every penny.
