4 popular repair ointments to keep in your beauty cabinet
Skincare trends such as ‘slugging’ are helping to recast repair ointments as must-have beauty products. Here are four skin saviours to keep on hand.
Repair ointments are often our first port of call when it comes to treating mild skin irritations or minor cuts or burns.
Now, thanks to social media, these medicine cabinet staples are going viral in beauty circles as the products du jour.
Why are repair ointments trending in beauty?
The rise in popularity of repair ointments as must-have beauty products is largely due to slugging – a trending skincare practice that involves slathering an occlusive ointment all over the skin to lock in moisture, providing a protective barrier.
While the benefits of slugging are hotly debated in the skincare community, the importance of including repair ointments in our skincare routines is not contested.
“Slugging refers to finishing a skincare routine with an ointment, and the inference is that the skincare routine is concentrating on the face,” DermNet leading dermatologist Dr Louise Reiche says.
According to Dr Reiche, repair ointments can run a risk of inducing acne and perioral dermatitis.
“Slugging would not be wise in that instance unless someone had severe facial dryness and even then, it should only be done for a short time until the dryness has improved.”
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4 repair ointments to have on hand
Cicalfate or Cicaplast
A damaged, compromised skin barrier is a common skin concern that can be treated with the right repair ointment.
Two of the most popular products to help protect the skin barrier are Avene Cicalfate⁺ multipurpose repair cream and La Roche–Posay Cicaplast Baume B5⁺ balm.
These products differ slightly but both are rich in panthenol and patented skin-relieving ingredients.
While these repair ointments feel rich and hydrating, they actually work best in conjunction with moisturiser, so it’s recommended you first apply your preferred facial moisturiser to help maximise skin repair.
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Corticosteroids
For those with more serious skin conditions – such as rosacea, psoriasis and skin lupus – prescription-strength steroids are often recommended.
Topical steroids work by constricting blood vessels, which can calm down irritated, inflamed skin.
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Occlusives
Occlusive repair ointments help to heal the skin by protecting it with a thick, gel-like barrier.
“(These) ointments are very effective at hydrating extremely dry skin, and are typically non-irritating and tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin,” Dr Reiche says.
“Be mindful applying ointments to hairy or oily skin areas as it can occlude follicles – this can result in blocked pores which may show as folliculitis or acne-like lesions.”
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly and Aquaphor are popular occlusive products that contain petroleum jelly in varying amounts, and have also gone viral for less conventional uses including as makeshift foot and hand masks, a brow pomade, mascara primer and a make-up mixing agent.
Lanolin is a unique occlusive because it doesn’t contain petroleum jelly; instead, it’s made up of absorbent and hydrating ingredients, which makes it suitable for treating dehydrated skin and chapped lips.
Paw paw ointment
Long appreciated in Australia and gaining popularity abroad, paw paw ointment (made from Carica papaya) is most often used to treat skin inflammation and minor wounds.
While it’s a popular lip treatment, it’s important to note that paw paw ointment can protect and prevent lips from becoming chapped but doesn’t hydrate existing dry lips.
More beauty products you’ll want to know about:
- Why skin tints are glowing in popularity
- 5 backstage beauty products to add to your make-up kit
- Budget-friendly beauty dupes that are worth the hype
- 8 of the hottest products right now, as voted by beauty lovers
Written by Charlotte Brundrett.
