Aqueous Cream BP is a light, paraffin-based emulsion which is officially registered in the British Pharmacopoeia and categorised by the British National Formulary as a non-proprietary emollient preparation.[1] It is used as a topical, external medicine, emollient moisturiser and general-purpose substitute for toiletries such as soap, shower gel, shaving cream and lip salve.
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The common ingredients are:
It is commonly prescribed in the United Kingdom for conditions such as eczema, aquagenic pruritus or atopic dermatitis [2]. Whilst undergoing radiotherapy, patients are advised to use aqueous cream as part of a skin care regime to remedy the erythema which is caused by such treatment.
British researchers found evidence that using the cream to moisturise areas affected by eczema may actually aggravate the condition.[3] This is thought to be due to skin thinning effects of sodium laurylsulphate. The National Eczema Society recommends alternatives such as white soft paraffin or other types of emollient without such a high sodium laurel sulphate content.
Some sources indicate that it is not always suitable for use as an emollient, because the preservatives such as phenoxyethanol used to prolong the cream's shelf-life may cause an adverse reaction.[4] Some creams use an alternative preservative—chlorocresol—which is said to cause less reaction.