Aqueous cream

Aqueous Cream BP, also known as sorbolene, is a light, hydrocarbon-based emulsion, which is officially registered in the British Pharmacopoeia and categorised by the British [National Formulary] as a non-proprietary emollient preparation. It is used as a topical, external medicine, emollient, and general-purpose substitute for toiletries such as soap, shower gel, shaving cream, and lip salve. While sometimes thought to be a moisturiser, it is poor as such; official advice is not to prescribe the cream as a moisturiser.

Ingredients

The common ingredients are:

liquid hydrocarbons
white soft paraffin wax
purified water
emulsifying wax containing sodium lauryl sulphate, a detergent
cetostearyl alcohol
chlorocresol

Contraindications

British researchers found evidence that using the cream to treat areas affected by eczema may actually aggravate the condition. They suggested this was due to skin-thinning effects of the detergent sodium lauryl sulfate. The National Eczema Society recommends alternatives such as white soft paraffin wax or other types of emollient; most emollients available on prescription in the UK besides aqueous cream and emulsifying ointment have been reformulated to omit SLS.