Aqueous Cream

Dry skin is one of the common skin conditions that is caused by the loss of moisture from the outer layers. This layer is protected from water loss by a thin film of oil called sebum. It is also said that this outer layer of the skin has a special mechanism to retain water that is absorbed from the inner layers. But, frequent washing with hot water and soap may strip away this moisture content. Even aging and exposure to environmental factors like the wind and sunlight, may lead to this condition, which will lead to dry skin. As the skin gets dry, it can become itchy and flaky too. It will get prone to skin diseases and aggravate the existing ones. So, preventing the skin from getting dry is very important. A wide range of moisturizing skin care products are available in the market. Aqueous cream is one among them.

What is Aqueous Cream

It is a light, non-greasy cream-like preparation that is said to be effective for tackling dry skin conditions. Its ingredients include purified water, emulsifying water (with SLS or sodium lauryl sulfate), liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin, chlorocresol (preservative), cetostearyl alcohol and phenoxyethanol (antimicrobial). It is categorized as a non-proprietary emollient preparation and is registered with the British Pharmacopoeia (is the official collection of standards for UK medicinal products and pharmaceutical substances). This product is usually used as a skin moisturizer, as a topical medicine for certain skin diseases and also as a substitute for soap, shower gel and shaving cream. It is widely available and used in the United Kingdom, where this skin care product is recommended for people with conditions like atopic dermatitis and eczema.

Side Effects

Aqueous cream is one of the commonly used skin care products in many regions and is said to be safe for use. However, it may not be totally free from side effects, as recent studies show that it may worsen some skin conditions like eczema. It is also said that this side effect may be due to the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in this product. SLS is said to cause skin thinning, thereby increasing the water loss through it. This could be the reason for the users' (especially, children) complaints about the stinging sensation, after using this cream. It may cause allergic reactions, if the user is allergic to any of the ingredients of this product. In case of such allergic reaction, wash off the area and contact your doctor. Discontinue its use, if you find that it is not suitable for your skin.

Ingestion of aqueous cream is found to cause no serious trouble, except a slight laxative effect. In case, it goes into your eyes, wash off immediately with cold water and inform your doctor. Even though, it is said to be ideal for people with sensitive skin, some of the hyper sensitive people may develop skin irritation, after using it. In such cases too, discontinue its use and contact your doctor for a substitute. It is better to get this skin care product from authorized pharmacies. In certain regions, it is sold as an over the counter product, whereas, in some other places, you may require a prescription for the same.

In short, aqueous cream is widely used as a moisturizer as well as an alternative to shower gels and bathing soap. While it is highly effective for most of the users in countering dry skin and certain skin conditions, some of the users may not find it suitable for their skin. If you develop any side effects, it will be better to discontinue its use and contact your doctor. You may also seek the opinion of your doctor, before using it.