Aqueous cream is a light,
non-greasy moisturiser that provides a layer of oil on the surface of
the skin to prevent water evaporating from the skin surface.
It is made from a mixture of emulsifying ointment (which contains
paraffin oils) and water, with phenoxyethanol as an antimicrobial
preservative.
Dry skin results from lack of water in the outer layer of skin
cells known as the stratum corneum. When this layer becomes dehydrated
it loses its flexibility and becomes cracked, scaly and sometimes
itchy. The stratum corneum contains natural water-holding substances
that retain water seeping up from the deeper layers of the skin, and
water is also normally retained in the stratum corneum by a surface
film of natural oil (sebum) and broken-down skin cells, which slow down
evaporation of water from the skin surface.
The skin dries out when too much water evaporates from its surface.
This increases as we get older, and is made worse by washing, because
hot water and soap remove the layer of natural oil on the skin surface.
Moisturisers such as aqueous cream are helpful for all dry skin
conditions, particularly eczema and dermatitis, which get worse when
the skin is allowed to dry out. Used regularly they help restore the
skin's smoothness, softness and flexibility by helping the skin retain
moisture. They should be applied frequently to prevent the skin drying
out.
Aqueous cream can also be used in place of soap when washing to prevent drying the skin.
In conditions such as eczema, using a moisturiser regularly, even
once the skin has improved, can help prevent flare-ups of this
condition.
This medicine should not be used if you are
allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or
pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using
this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be
used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be
safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the
mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor
if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side
effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following
are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this
medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that
all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Sensitisation or allergic reaction
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with
this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine
or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
By smoothing and softening the
skin aqueous cream can increase the absorption of other medicines that
are applied to the skin. This is useful in conditions such as eczema
because it improves the ability of other medicines, such as
corticosteroid creams, to penetrate the skin and reduce inflammation.