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.^[1] 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.^[2][3]

Aqueous cream B.P.

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.^[2] They suggested this was due to skin-thinning effects of the detergent sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). 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.^[3]