Emollients

All emollients are available to buy, but the GP can prescribe them depending on your condition. If you are using emollients for dry skin, then you will usually be asked to buy them. If you have eczema or psoriasis, they can be prescribed.

Always make sure you apply emollients as many times as possible, and at least 2-3 times a day.  If you’re applying steroid creams too, be sure to apply the emollient first to make the skin supple and ready for other treatments.

Examples of emollient creams that you can buy or can be prescribed are Diprobase cream or ointment, Zerobase cream, Cetraben cream and ointment, Doublebase gel, Aveeno cream and lotion, Zeroaqs cream, Hydromol ointment, Dermol cream and lotion and shower gel. These are just a few examples, the list is exhaustive but it often involves trial and error to find the right emollient for you.

Examples of light emollients include E45, Aveeno, Dermol and Aqueous cream.

Creamier emollients include: Diprobase, Cetraben and Oilatum.

Greasy creams include: Epaderm and Hydromol.

Very greasy: 50/50 liquid soft and white paraffin.

Which emollient you start with depends on the severity of your skin condition and what you’ve already tried, so it can be worthwhile starting with lighter emollients and working your way towards greasier creams as required in a step-wise approach.

##Safety advice when using emollients

It’s very important to keep away from fire, flames and cigarettes when using all types of emollients (both paraffin-based and paraffin-free) because dressings, clothing and bedding that have been in contact with an emollient can easily catch fire. There have unfortunately been cases where someone has died from burns caused by this. Although washing fabrics at high temperatures may reduce the build-up of an emollient, it doesn’t remove it completely.