Gist.product intelligenceBuying guides
Buying guide

The Best First Aid Ointments

We compared eight top-rated first aid ointments on owner ratings, expert reviews, and price. Aquaphor Baby Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment is our top pick for its effectiveness and safety for sensitive skin.

Updated

The bottom line

Aquaphor Baby Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment is our top pick for its high owner satisfaction (9.8/10 from 91,737 ratings) and safety for sensitive skin. Neosporin Original Triple Antibiotic Ointment is a close runner-up, offering strong infection prevention at a lower price ($4.06). For those on a budget, Neosporin Triple Antibiotic Ointment provides similar benefits at an even lower cost ($4.06). Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is a good choice for moisturizing and protecting dry skin, though it lacks the antibiotic properties of the Neosporin options.

Top pick
Aquaphor Baby Advanced Therapy Healing OintmentAquaphor Baby Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment $16.49

Best for sensitive skin and diaper rash

Aquaphor Baby Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment is praised by owners for its effectiveness in treating minor skin irritations and preventing diaper rash. With a 9.8/10 owner rating from 91,737 ratings, it's a trusted choice for sensitive skin. The tradeoff is its higher price ($16.49) compared to other options.

Check price on Amazon
Runner-up
Neosporin Original Triple Antibiotic OintmentNeosporin Original Triple Antibiotic Ointment $7.62

Best for infection prevention

Neosporin Original Triple Antibiotic Ointment is highly rated for its effectiveness in preventing infection in minor wounds. With a 9.6/10 owner rating from 27,337 ratings, it's a reliable choice. The tradeoff is its slightly higher price ($7.62) compared to the budget pick.

Check price on Amazon
Budget pick
Neosporin Triple Antibiotic OintmentNeosporin Triple Antibiotic Ointment $4.06

Best budget option

Neosporin Triple Antibiotic Ointment offers similar benefits to the original Neosporin at a lower price ($4.06). With a 9.6/10 owner rating from 44,929 ratings, it's a cost-effective choice for minor wound care.

Check price on Amazon

The field, ranked

  1. Aquaphor Baby Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment Best for sensitive skin and diaper rash 10.0/10 $16.49 Amazon
  2. Neosporin Original Triple Antibiotic Ointment Best for infection prevention 9.5/10 $7.62 Amazon
  3. Neosporin Triple Antibiotic Ointment Best budget option 9.0/10 $4.06 Amazon
  4. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly For Dry Skin and Eczema Relief Good for moisturizing and protecting dry skin 8.5/10 $5.97 Amazon
  5. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Good for moisturizing and protecting dry skin 8.5/10 $8.48 Amazon
  6. Neosporin Pain Relief Dual Action Triple Antibiotic Ointment Good for pain relief and infection prevention 8.0/10 $9.99 Amazon
  7. Neosporin Maximum-Strength Pain Relief Dual Action Ointment Good for maximum-strength pain relief 8.0/10 $9.94 Amazon
  8. Neosporin Pain Relief Cream Good for pain relief and infection prevention 8.0/10 $5.98 Amazon

Who should buy which

Aquaphor Baby Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment is best for those with sensitive skin or babies, as it's formulated to be gentle and hypoallergenic. Neosporin Original Triple Antibiotic Ointment is a reliable choice for those looking for strong infection prevention. Neosporin Triple Antibiotic Ointment is the best budget option for those who need a cost-effective solution. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is a good choice for those looking to moisturize and protect dry skin.

What owners complain about

Owners of Neosporin Pain Relief Dual Action Triple Antibiotic Ointment and Neosporin Maximum-Strength Pain Relief Dual Action Ointment have reported that the ointments can be messy and difficult to apply, especially on larger wounds. Some owners of Neosporin Pain Relief Cream have mentioned that the cream can be too thick and greasy for their liking.

How this was put together

This guide is based on owner ratings, expert reviews, and price comparisons. We analyzed over 250,000 owner ratings and dozens of expert reviews to determine the best first aid ointments. We did not test any products hands-on. The evidence was thinnest for Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, which had fewer owner ratings compared to the Neosporin options.