Leaflet Details
| Title | Emollients |
| Department | Dermatology |
| Author(s) | Dr S Vaughan Jones |
| Review Date | November 2021 |
| Next Review | November 2023 |
| Download | A4 Handout PDF |
| Accessibility Options | Click on the Recite Me button to show our accessibility resources |
Patient Information
Introduction
These soothe, smooth and hydrate the skin and are useful for all dry or scaly disorders e.g. eczema, psoriasis. Effects are short-lived and frequent application is necessary. They can be divided into lotions (with a higher water content), creams and gels (that are slightly thicker) and ointments (which are greasier but useful for severe skin dryness). Sprays can be used in older patients or sites where application is difficult (such as the back). The following products are commonly used by patients attending our Skin Care Unit, where samples are available to try.
* Please note that ointments are flammable, and can make bathroom surfaces slippery so we would advise caution in elderly patients when applying these.
| Emollient | Formulation | Additional features |
| Adex | Gel | Nicotinamide (anti-inflammatory) |
| Aproderm | Lotion; cream; gel | SLS. Parabens. Colour & fragrance free. Vegan. |
| Aqueous | Cream (soap substitute) | |
| Aquamax | Cream (soap substitute) | |
| Aveeno | Lotion; cream; *spray | Colour, soap free. Colloidal oatmeal. |
| Aquadrate | Cream (urea) | Urea 10% w/w in white soft paraffin |
| Balneum plus | Cream | |
| Calmurid | Cream (urea) | Lactic acid. Urea |
| CeraVe | Cream | |
| Cetraben | Cream; ointment | |
| Dermamist | *Spray | |
| Dermacool | Cream (1-2% menthol) | |
| Dermol 500 | Lotion (soap substitute); cream | |
| Diprobase | ||
| Doublebase | ||
| Emollin | *Spray | |
| E45 | Lotion; cream (itch relief) | |
| Eczmol | ||
| Epimax | ||
| Epaderm | ||
| Eucerin | Lotion, cream; ointment; *spray | |
| Emulsifying | Ointment | |
| Flexitol | Cream; ointment (heel balm) | |
| Hydromol | Ointment | |
| Zerobase | ||
| Zeroderm | Ointment | |
| Zerodouble | Gel |
* Sprays should not be used directly ON THE FACE and EYES.
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| Adex Gel | Doublebase Gel | Dermol 500 Lotion | Dermacool Cream |
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| CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | Diprobase Cream | Dermol 500 Cream | Zerobase Cream |
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| Cetraben Ointment | Epaderm Ointment | Emulsifying Ointment | Zeroderm Ointment |
