It’s not uncommon to burn yourself every once in a while. While the minor burns you might unintentionally inflict on yourself aren’t seriously threatening to your health or safety, they can be very painful. If you make the mistake of burning your hands, you’re likely to find it difficult to do anything at all without feeling discomfort.
Fortunately, you can easily reduce the pain by using the best ointments for burns, and this will give you safe, speedy, and effective relief that will promote faster healing and less scar formation. Now the question is, what is the right burn ointment for your skin?
Let this guide lead you to the best buy.
Best Ointments for Burns: A Review
1. Water Jel, First Aid Burn Relief
For any healthy adult, a minor burn will likely heal itself over a matter of three to four days. During this period, it can be very difficult to continue functioning especially if the burn affects a particularly exposed area or body parts that are often used such as the hands and feet.
Applying a thick layer of Water Jel Burn Jel External Analgesic for Minor Burns can help reduce pain significantly to aid with proper daily functioning.
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The formula incorporates 2% lidocaine which is one of the most effective analgesics in the medical world. A generous amount of this gel easily soothes painful, raw burns, making it much easier for you to go throughout the day without struggling to get over the discomfort.
Coming in neat unit dose packets, Water Jel Burn Jel External Analgesic for Minor Burns is a fast, easy, and convenient product to use especially if you’re on the go.
Pros:
- Fast-acting
- Soothing and cooling
- Safe for children and adults
- Comes in packets
Con:
- Can’t be used on minor cuts and scrapes
2. Neosporin + Pain Relief Dual Action Ointment
Neosporin is among the most popular names you’ve most likely come across when it comes to first aid products. This Dual Action Ointment has a non-sting formula that’s safe not just for adults but also for children age two and above.
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Packed with three different antibacterial ingredients, Neosporin + Pain Relief Dual Action Ointment is effective protection against bacterial infections and contaminants that might threaten your wound.
Incorporating a dose of pramoxine HCl into the formula as well, this burn ointment also effectively reduces pain for better functionality.
One of the reasons why this particular product has become a top contender as the best ointment for burns is the fact that it’s safe for children as young as 2 years old.
It’s a premium selection for parents or families who want a solution that can be easily and safely used on all members of the family in case of accidental burns. What’s more, coming at a very reasonable price point, it isn’t difficult to keep a stock of this ointment at home for when you need it.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Dual-acting formula
- No sting
- Recommended for children and adults
Con:
- Doesn’t minimize scars
3. Foille Medicated First-Aid Ointment Tube
A product that has been around for decades, the Foille Medicated First-Aid is yet another multipurpose minor burn ointment you can trust. Like the last option for the best ointments for burns, you can also use it for minor scrapes and cuts.
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Combining both an analgesic and antiseptic, this ointment prevents any burns from the development of contaminants and microorganisms that could compromise the healing process.
However, aside from protecting the burn and preventing pain, Foille Medicated First-Aid Ointment Tube also works great to nourish and reinforce skin for faster recovery.
The formula incorporates beeswax and vegetable oil, which both aim to hydrate the skin to encourage rapid regeneration. At a very reasonable price point, it definitely is worth the purchase.
Pros:
- Affordable
- All-natural formula
- Easy to apply
- Quick pain relief
Con:
- Only available in one-ounce tube
4. Amazon Basics Hydrogen Peroxide Topical Solution USP
A 32-fluid-ounce bottle of miracle antiseptic in the form of the AmazonBasics Hydrogen Topical solution makes its entry on our list at number four. This could be your solution if you’re looking to prevent infection caused by minor burns, cuts, and scrapes.
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The multi-purpose AmazonBasics Hydrogen Peroxide Topical Solution is useful for cleaning all types of wounds and even teeth. You can also use it to sterilize some of your stuff, and that’s not even all the benefits.
A cut, scrape, or burn may seem minor, but it could easily lead to an infection when treated incorrectly.
Ensure this doesn’t happen using the Hydrogen Peroxide Topical Solution USP by Amazon Basics, which impresses with the following features:
- Three percent stabilized hydrogen peroxide (active ingredient)
- Phthalate and paraben-free
- Comparable to Swan Hydrogen Peroxide
- Free of natural rubber latex
- Alex-voice-enabled shopping for convenience
Pros:
- Cleans wounds, cuts, and teeth
- May be used for sterilizing combs, brushes, and toothbrushes
- Effective first-aid antiseptic
- Environmentally friendly
Con:
- Great for cleaning wounds but not for household items
5. CeraVe Healing Ointment
CeraVe is a household name in the world of skincare, so you may be curious to know how they fare in wound care with this entry. To clue you in, the CeraVe Healing ointment made our list of best burn ointments!
How’s that for impressive?
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The CeraVe Healing ointment is a burn balm, wound ointment, and skincare miracle bottled in one simple yet sophisticated package.
This triple-threat healing ointment performs miracles on wounds, cuts, scrapes, or even uninjured skin courtesy of the following features:
- Skin Protectant
The CeraVe healing ointment not only calms different types of wounds; it also helps relieve and protect cracked, dry, and chapped skin. So, this makes it a great addition to any winter skincare regimen.
It’s also non-comedogenic to keep your skin moisturized without clogging up the pores.
- Hydrating Ingredients
Burn wounds can eventually become patches of dry sensitive skin. Fortunately, CeraVe Healing facilitates healing in these areas by keeping them moisturized.
Unlike other burn balms, it has a silky balm texture that hydrates the skin but doesn’t leave a greasy finish.
- Essential Ceramides
When it comes to CeraVe, products are usually formulated with three essential ceramides. This one is no different, as it comes with ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II for skin barrier restoration and maintenance.
- Gentle on Skin
CeraVe products are never harsh on the skin; this ointment is no exception. It’s non-comedogenic, lanolin-free, dye-free, and fragrance-free to give your skin the best form of treatment.
Pros:
- Restores and maintains the skin barrier
- Keeps skin clear and moisturized
- Ideal different types of wounds
Con:
- May clog the pores of some users
6. Vaseline Blueseal Pure Petroleum Jelly
The Blueseal Pure Petroleum Jelly by Vaseline is hailed as a quick solution to skin dryness and irritation. But what else does this product by the household brand Vaseline have in store?
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The Vaseline Blueseal Pure Petroleum Jelly is specifically formulated to lock in moisture to restore rough or dry skin.
It contains extracts of natural petroleum, which holds numerous benefits, including skin moisturization, rash prevention, wound healing, and even makeup removal.
Petroleum also forms a thin water-based film around the skin to lock in moisture, helping your skin heal and stay healthy.
Pros:
- Facilitates healing of different types of wounds, especially burns
- Helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Locks in moisture to keep skin healthy and hydrated
- Diaper rash prevention
- Doesn’t clog pores
- Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
- Offers protection from chapping and windburn
Con:
- Pricey for such a small volume of product
7. First Honey Sterile Manuka Honey Ointment
Manuka Honey is known for its high viscosity and antibacterial properties that facilitate wound healing. It’s the active ingredient in this seventh entry on our list: the First Honey Sterile Manuka Honey Ointment.
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Burns can easily lead to infection when left to heal on their own or treated incorrectly. First Honey Sterile Manuka Honey Ointment provides a strong protective barrier of moisture around the wound to prevent this from happening.
It stands out from all the others of its kind because of the following:
- Manuka honey prevents infection and minimizes scarring
- Low pH levels and high sugar content in the main active ingredient prevent microbial growth.
- No additives and artificial antibiotics to promote faster, more natural healing
- MGO 400+ delivers incredible potency
- Manukamed is medical-grade certified, making it a powerful healing ointment for all kinds of wounds, including cuts, scrapes, burns, lacerations, and minor scalds.
- Family-owned: Manufacturers put their heart and soul into every single tube of ointment, and it shows
- The company aims to provide the highest quality natural healing products.
Pros:
- Speeds up the wound-healing process
- A better alternative to antibiotic ointment on scrapes and cuts
- All-natural formula
- Optimal healing when covered with a band-aid or gauze
Cons:
- May attract ants and other bugs due to high sugar content
- May leave sticky honey residue on your clothes
- Gauze or bandaid may stick to the honey and cause bleeding
8. GoodSense Maximum Strength Ointment
The Maximum Strength Triple Antibiotic Ointment by GoodSense has a powerful formula to facilitate healing and suppress pain in all kinds of wounds. This makes it a serious contender for the best ointment for burns!
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This Goodsense product is similar to the popular Neosporin + Pain Relief, one of today’s top-selling burn ointments and a feature on our list. Its active ingredients include Polymyxin B Sulfate, Pramoxine HCl, Neomycin Sulfate, and Bacitracin Zinc to speed up wound healing and provide fast pain relief.
You can administer it to kids ages two and up. Just make sure to clean the affected area thoroughly before carefully applying a small amount.
Do this two to three times daily for optimal healing. To keep the ointment in place, you may cover the affected area with sterile gauze.
You’ll also love that this GoodSense ointment is not just for burns; it’s also for injuries caused by hits, weapons, falls, and more. Lastly, its strong antibiotic properties help relieve pain and prevent infection in different wound types.
Pros:
- Especially great for kids who are prone to injury from playing outdoors
- Fights pain and infection without costing you much
Con:
- May fall short of providing pain relief
What to Consider When Choosing Burn Ointment
Of course, all brands in the market will contest that they have the best ointment for burns. However, choosing the right one depends on more than just sales strategies slapped on the elaborate packaging.
To make sure your burn ointment gets the job done safely, quickly, and effectively, try to consider these factors when you make your purchase.
Active Ingredient
The damage done to your skin by a burn is very different from the damage you experience from a cut or a scratch. Thus healing one requires specific ingredients that are designed especially for burn wounds. There are several different active ingredients you might find in your chosen burn ointment, but there are the most common:
- Lidocaine HCl: This active ingredient works as an external analgesic, reducing pain associated with burns and allowing users to function properly throughout the day without feeling discomfort or unease.
- Pramoxine HCl: Another common external analgesic, pramoxine HCl is a potent pain management ingredient that makes burns more manageable.
- Bacitracin Zinc: This active ingredient is incorporated into ointments and creams for antibacterial purposes. It’s a safe and effective first aid antibiotic that protects burn wounds from infection.
- Neomycin Sulfate: Much like bacitracin zinc, neomycin sulfate also works to ensure a clean and sterile wound for faster and proper healing.
- Polymyxin B Sulfate: Commonly found in eye gels and treatments, polymyxin B sulfate is another effective antibacterial ingredient for the protection of burn wounds from contaminants and infections.
- Chloroxylenol: This active ingredient is an antiseptic that prevents the development of microorganisms that could potentially endanger the health of the exposed, healing tissues.
- Petrolatum: Petrolatum, otherwise known as petroleum jelly, is a safe ingredient that works to speed up the healing process associated with burns by nourishing the skin and encouraging faster regeneration.
Types of Burns Treated
Burns are generally classified depending on the depth of the skin affected by the damage.
Sunburns are the most superficial, causing damage and death to the outermost layer of skin–the epidermis.
These can also be classified with burns that result from momentary contact with a hot surface such as pans or a heated iron. While there is pain, superficial burns such as these do not form blisters. These are called first degree burns.
Many commercially available burn ointments can easily relieve the pain and discomfort caused by this type of superficial burn. On the other hand, second-degree burns can also be treated with OTC ointments.
Some of these options, however, may not be ideal as they tend to be too mild for such extensive damage. Often, powerful doses of lidocaine or other potent analgesics are preferred for second-degree burns.
Third-degree burns – being that they cause much deeper damage – can require special professional care and prescription treatment. Always see a doctor for third-degree burns.
Burn Ointments FAQs
1. Should you apply an ointment right after getting burned?
No, you don’t. The first step is to wash the burnt area and clean it thoroughly before applying the ointment.
A burn ointment is dual-purpose. It has antimicrobial properties to prevent the growth of bacteria and locks in moisture to keep the skin hydrated and facilitate healing.
2. How long should you cover burnt skin?
Effective burn care teaches us to leave burn wounds covered for one to two weeks, depending on the severity. Use your antibiotic ointment more frequently on the areas not properly covered to ensure optimal healing.
3. Should burn-affected areas be kept moist or dry?
Minor burns should be treated with over-the-counter burn ointment (any of the above-listed products) regularly until fully healed. You may or may not cover the wound with a sterile bandage to keep the ointment in place.
However, burns heal better and faster when exposed to the medicine longer.
4. Is air necessary for burns to heal?
Yes, it is. Air also keeps heat from scraping the burn site and damaging other tissues.
5. What do you need to avoid after getting burned?
Unhealthy food items, such as those with high sugar content and carbs, should be avoided since they may slow down the healing process.
Our Top Recommendations
While each of the ointment products we included in the list will work effectively, we highly recommend the Water Jel because it’s specifically formulated for quick burn relief. Packaging-wise, it’s also the most hygienic.
That said, the Neosporin and Foille will be perfect for those who need multi-acting formulas as they’re both effective for minor burns, scrapes, and cuts.