Related guidance:

British Association of Dermatologists

Emollients: new information about risk of severe and fatal burns with paraffin-containing and paraffin-free emollients (MHRA December 2018)

  • Advise patients who use these products not to smoke or go near naked flames, and warn about the easy ignition of clothing, bedding, dressings, and other fabric that have dried residue of an emollient product on them.
  • Washing clothing or fabric at a high temperature may reduce emollient build-up but not totally remove it.
  • Report any fire incidents with emollients or other skin care products to the Yellow Card scheme.
  • A toolkit of resources is now available for health and social care professionals to support the safe use of emollients.

If the most cost effective choice emollients are not satisfactory after a trial, then all other emollients remain on formulary as choice is an important factor in the management of eczema and other skin conditions and includes presentation with full list of ingredients.

Emollient bath and shower products are non-formulary, based on evidence they offer little or no benefit.

See NHS Somerset Dermatology

Therapeutic AreaFormulary ChoicesCost for 28
(unless otherwise stated)
Rationale for decision / comments
Emollient creams and ointments, colloidal oatmeal-containing
Green cross Epimax®Oatmeal - suitable for self-careCream: £3.10 (500g)Tottle. Contains water, glycerol, distearyldimonium chloride, isopropyl palmitate, liquid paraffin 3.5%, cetostearyl alcohol, dimethicone, avena sativa (oat), kernel flour, allantoin, white soft paraffin 0.75%, isopropanol, octyldodecanol, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, sodium chloride, and benzyl alcohol.
Green cross Miclaro®Oat - suitable for self-careCream: £3.99 (500ml)Pump. Contains avena sativa kernel flour (1%), glycerol, distearyldimonium chloride, isopropyl palmitate, cetyl alcohol, liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin, dimethicone, microcrystalline wax, benzyl alcohol, allantoin, dehydroacetic acid, sodium chloride and purified water.
Lotion: £3.99 (500ml)Pump. Contains avena sativa kernel flour (1%), glycerol, Isopropyl palmitate, distearyldimonium chloride, cetyl alcohol, white soft paraffin, dimethicone, benzyl alcohol, sodium chloride and purified water.
Green cross Zeroveen® - suitable for self-careCream: £6.13 (500g)Pump. Contains purified water, glycerol 12.6%, liquid paraffin 5%, isopropyl palmitate, distearyldimonium chloride, avena sativa kernal flour, cetyl alcohol, dimeticone, white soft paraffin, benzyl alcohol, allantoin, stearyl alcohol, microcrystalline wax, myristyl alcohol, sodium chloride.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green cross Aveeno® - suitable for self-careCream: £6.47 (500ml)Pump. Contains aqua, glycerin, distearyldimonium chloride, isopropyl palmitate, paraffinum liquidum, cetyl alcohol, dimethicone, avena sativa kernel flour, allantoin, paraffin, cera microcristallina, sodium chloride, BHT, benzyl alcohol.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green cross Aproderm®Colloidal Oat - suitable for self-careCream: £5.80 (500ml)Pump. Contains avena sativa kernel flour 1%, purified water, apricot kernel oil, glycerin, sucrose stearate, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate SE, dimethicone, phenoxyethanol, vitamin F ethyl ester, ethylhexylglycerin, xanthan gum, disodium EDTA, vitamin E.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Emollient creams and ointments, paraffin-containing
Aqueous cream is non-formulary. May cause skin irritation particularly in children with eczema, possibly due to sodium lauryl sulfate content. (MHRA December 2014)
Green cross Epimax®Original - suitable for self-careCream: £2.67 (500g)
Tottle. Contains white soft paraffin 15%, cetostearyl alcohol, liquid paraffin 6%, polysorbate 60, phenoxyethanol and water.
Green cross Epimax®Excetra - suitable for self-careCream: £3.09 (500g)Tottle. Contains white soft paraffin 13.2%, liquid paraffin 10.5%,
emulsifying wax (sodium lauryl sulfate free), glycerol, cetostearyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, citric acid monohydrate, trisodium citrate dihydrate and water.
Green crossEpimax®Isomol Gel - suitable for self-careGel: £3.08 (500g)
Tottle. Contains isopropyl myristate 15%, liquid paraffin 15%, glycerol, carbomer, polysorbate 20, triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin and water.
Green crossAquamax® - suitable for self-careCream: £3.99 (500g)Tub. Contains water, white soft paraffin, cetostearyl alcohol, liquid paraffin, polysorbate 60 and phenoxyethanol.
Green crossExocream® - suitable for self-careCream: £3.99 (500ml)
Pump. Contains white soft paraffin 14.5%, light liquid paraffin 12.6% and hypoallergenic anhydrous lanolin 1%.
Green crossZeroAQS - suitable for self-careCream: £3.39 (500g)Tub. Contains water, paraffin white soft 15%, cetostearyl alcohol, Liquid paraffin 6%, macrogol cetostearyl ether, chlorocresol.
Green crossZerocream® - suitable for self-careCream: £4.30 (500g)

Pump. Contains water, white soft paraffin 14.5%, liquid paraffin 12.6%, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, sodium cetostearyl sulfate, lanolin, citric acid monohydrate, carbomer, sodium hydroxide, sodium methyl hydroxybenzoate, sodium propyl hydroxybenzoate and butylated hydroxytoluene.
Green crossAproderm® - suitable for self-careCream: £4.95 (500g)Pump. Contains white soft paraffin 15%, Liquid Paraffin 6%, cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20, aqua, sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin.
Gel: £3.99 (500g)Pump. Contains liquid paraffin 15% and isopropyl myristate 15%, aqua, glycerin, polyacrylate-13, polyisobutene, polysorbate-20, phenoxyethanol, benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, ethylhexylglycerin.
Green crossMyribase Gel® - suitable for self-careGel: £4.66 (500ml))Pump. Contains isopropyl myristate 15% and liquid paraffin 15%,
glycerol, carbomer, sorbitan laurate, phenoxyethanol, triethanolamine and water.
Green crossE45® Lotion - suitable for self-careLotion: £4.90 (500ml)Pump. Contains aqua, petrolatum, isopropyl palmitate, paraffinum liquidum.
Green cross
Emulsifying ointment
- suitable for self-care
Ointment: £3.97 (500g)Jar. Contains emulsifying wax 30%, white soft paraffin 50% and liquid paraffin 20%.

Green crossEpimax®Ointment - suitable for self-careOintment: £3.13 (500g)Tub. Contains liquid paraffin 40%, cetomacrogol emulsifying wax (contains cetostearyl alcohol and macrogol cetostearyl ether), yellow soft paraffin 30%.
Green crossWhite soft paraffin - suitable for self-careOintment: £5.32 (500g)Tub. Contains white soft paraffin 100%.
Green crossFifty:50 - suitable for self-careOintment: £3.92 (500g)Tub. Contains white soft paraffin 50% and liquid paraffin 50%.
Green crossZeroderm® - suitable for self-careOintment: £4.29 (500g)Tub. Contains liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin, cetostearyl alcohol and polysorbate 60.
Green crossDermipar® - suitable for self-careOintment: £4.92 (500g)Tub. Contains cetomacrogol emulsifying wax, white soft paraffin and liquid paraffin.
Green crossQV® - suitable for self-careLotion: £5.47 (500ml)Pump. Contains aqua, glycerin, petrolatum, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20, steareth-2, dimethicone, glyceryl stearate, methylparaben, propylparaben, dichlorobenzyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, triethanolamine.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossDiprobase®Advanced Eczema - suitable for self-careCream: £7.01 (500ml)Pump. Contains purified water, white soft paraffin, isopropyl palmitate, liquid paraffin, glycerin, behenyl alcohol, cellulose, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, dimeticone, citric acid (anhydrous), arachidyl alcohol, arachidyl glucoside, hydroxyacetophenon, potassium hydroxide, and xanthan Gum.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossUltrabase® - suitable for self-careCream: £7.01 (500ml)

Pump. Contains white soft paraffin 10%, polyoxyl 40 stearate [E431], liquid paraffin, stearyl alcohol, carbomer, sodium hydroxide, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (methyl paraben) [E218], propyl parahydroxybenzoate (propyl paraben) [E216], disodium edetate, purified water and citrus-rose perfume oil.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossEpaderm® - suitable for self-careCream: £7.09 (500g)Pump. Contains purified water, liquid paraffin, yellow soft paraffin, cetomacrogol, emulsifying wax (contains cetostearyl alcohol and macrogol cetostearyl ether 22), chlorocresol, glycerine.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossE45® - suitable for self-careCream: £5.99 (500g)Tub. Contains anhydrous lanolin 1%, white soft paraffin 14.5%, light liquid paraffin 12.6%, cetyl alcohol 0.5%, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) 0.15%, propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216) 0.04%, Empilan GMS, cetyl alcohol, sodium cetostearyl sulphate, carbomer, methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate, sodium hydroxide, citric acid monohydrate, purified water.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossHydromol® - suitable for self-careCream: £12.88 (500g)Pump. Contains sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate 2.5%, liquid paraffin, isopropyl myristate, sodium lactate solution, cetomacrogol emulsifying wax, myristyl myristate, macrogol cetostearyl ether, hydroxybenzoates
(E218, E214, E216), phenoxyethanol and purified water.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossQV® - suitable for self-careCream: £6.60 (500g)Pump. Contains aqua, paraffinum liquidum, glycerin, petrolatum, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, squalane, glyceryl stearate SE, ceteareth-20, stearic acid, laureth-3, glyceryl stearate, methylparaben, dichlorobenzyl alcohol.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossZeroguent® - suitable for self-careCream: £7.32 (500g)Tub. Contains light liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin, soya bean oil, glyceryl monostearate 40-55, cetostearyl alcohol, propylene glycol, colloidal anhydrous silica, sorbic acid, polysorbate, purified water.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossOilatum® - suitable for self-careCream: £5.28 (500ml)
Pump. Contains light liquid paraffin 6%, white soft paraffin 15%, macrogol 1000, monostearate, cetostearyl alcohol, glycerol, potassium sorbate, benzyl alcohol, citric acid monohydrate, povidone and water.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossOilatum Junior® - suitable for self-careCream: £5.28 (500ml)
Pump. Contains light liquid Paraffin 6% and white soft paraffin 15%, macrogol 1000, monostearate, cetostearyl alcohol, glycerol, potassium sorbate, benzyl alcohol, citric acid monohydrate, povidone and water.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossZerobase® - suitable for self-careCream: £5.58 (500g)

Pump. Contains liquid paraffin (11%), white Soft paraffin (10%), cetostearyl alcohol, macrogol cetostearyl ether, sodium dihydrogen, phosphate dihydrate, chlorocresol, phosphoric acid and water.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossDoublebase® - suitable for self-careGel: £5.83 (500g)Pump. Contains isopropyl myristate 15%, liquid paraffin 15%, glycerol, carbomer, sorbitan laurate, trolamine, phenoxyethanol
and purified water.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossZerodouble® - suitable for self-careGel: £5.14 (500g)Pump. Contains purified water, isopropyl myristate, liquid paraffin, glycerol, triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol, acrylates, sorbitan laurate.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossHypoBase® - suitable for self-careGel: £5.83 (500g)Pump. Contains:
isopropyl myristate 15%, liquid paraffin 15%, glycerol, carbomer, sorbitan
laurate, phenoxyethanol, triethanolamine and
purified water.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Emollient creams and ointments, paraffin-free
Green crossEpimax® paraffin-free - suitable for self-careOintment: £4.99 (500g)Tub. Contains hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 38%, macrogol cetostearyl ether, medium chain triglycerides, polyoxypropylene stearyl ether, cetostearyl alcohol, hydrogenated castor oil, D&C Yellow/Red.
Emollients, urea-containing
Green crossimuDERM® - suitable for self-careEmollient: £6.79 (500g)
Pump. Contains aqua, paraffinum liquidum, Urea (5%), glycerine (5%),
cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20, glyceryl stearate, cetrimonium Bromide, tocopheryl acetate, benzyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, lactic acid, potassium sorbate; xanthan gum.
GlucoRx Allpresan® diabetic foam creamCream (basic):
£5.50 (125ml)
£9.75 (300ml)
Pressurized container. Aqua, Butane, Urea (basic 5% and intensive 10%), decyloleate, octyldodecanol, cetearyl alcohol, propane, stearic acid, propylene glycol, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, panthenol, saccharide isomerate, undecyl alcohol, allantoin, potassium lauroyl wheat amino acids, palm glycerides, capryloyl glycine, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium citrate, citric acid.
Cream (intensive):
£5.50 (125ml)
£9.75 (300ml)
Green cross
ClearZal®Hard Skin Remover
- suitable for self-care
Cream: £4.30 (100g)

Tube. Contains urea, salicylic acid and trichloroacetic acid.
Green crossDermatonics®Once Heel Balm - suitable for self-careCream: £9.44 (200ml)Tube. Contains aqua, urea (25%), lanolin cera petrolatum, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, cera alba, dimethicone, glycerin, acrylates, copolymer, parfum, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin and triethanolamine.
Green crossFlexitol®10% Urea - suitable for self-careCream: £12.36 (500g)Pump. Contains urea (10%), wool fat, light liquid paraffin, cetostearyl alcohol, PEG-20 stearate, glyceryl monostearate (40-55), decyl oleate, glycerol, phenoxyethanol, sodium PCA 50% solution, shea butter, benzyl alcohol, dimeticone, vitamin E acetate, panthenol, perfume enzeau and water.
Green crossUdrate® - suitable for self-careCream: £9.89 (100g)Tube. Contains aqua, Urea (10%), lactic acid, caprylic/capric triglyceride, methyl glucose sesquistearate, glycerin, isopropyl isostearate, olus oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, lanolin, isopropyl myristate, glyceryl stearate, cetearyl alcohol, pentylene glycol, triethyl citrate, camelina sativa seed oil, allantoin, panthenol, tocopheryl acetate, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, hydroxyacetophenone, amino methyl propanol, citric acid.
Green crossBalneum Plus® - suitable for self-careCream: £14.99 (500g)Pump. Contains lauromacrogols 3%, urea 5%, dimethicone, phenyl dimeticone, liquid paraffin, cetylpalmitate, stearic palmitic acid, octyldodecanol, glycerol 85%, polvsorbate, carbomer, trometamol, benzyl alcohol and purified water.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossEucerin Intensive® - suitable for self-careCream: £6.26 (100ml)Tube. Contains aqua, urea 10%, glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, capryliccapric triglyceride, glyceryl stearate, ethylhexyl cocoate, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, octyldodecanol, sodium lactate, glyceryl stearate SE, distarch phosphate, ceramide NP, lactic acid, arginine HCL, sodium PCA, cholesterol, helianthus annuus seed oil, alanine, carnitine, glycine, sodium chloride, dimethicone, carbomer, sorbitan stearate, sodium cetearyl sulfate and phenoxyethanol.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossFlexitol® Urea Heel Balm - suitable for self-careCream: £9.85 (200g)Tube. Contains water, 25% urea, lanolin, cetearyl alcohol, mineral oil, glyceryl stearate, decyl oleate, PEG-20 stearate, paraffin, phenoxyethanol, sodium PCA, butyrospermum parkii, allantoin, glycolic acid, panthenol, tocopheryl acetate, benzyl alcohol, melaleuca alternifolia oil, arginine, aloe vera gel and fragrance.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossAquadrate® - suitable for self-careCream: £4.62 (100g)Tube. Contains urea 10%, white soft paraffin, isopropyl myristate, maize starch, glyceryl tribehenate, palmitic acid, sorbitan laurate and polyoxyethylene fatty glyceride.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossE45 Itch Relief® - suitable for self-careCream: £4.28 (100g)Tube. Contains lauromacrogols 3%, urea 5%, dimeticone, phenyl dimeticone, liquid paraffin, cetyl palmitate, stearic palmitic acid, octyldodecanol, glycerol 85%, polysorbate, carbomer, trometamol, benzyl alcohol and purified water.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossFlexitol® Hand Balm - suitable for self-careCream: £3.67 (75g)Tube. Contains purified water, urea 10%, lanolin, cetostearyl alcohol, glycerine, dimeticone, paraffin oil light, glyceryl monostearate, decyl oleate, PEG-20 stearate, phenoxyethanol, sodium PCA, shea butter, panthenol, tocopheryl acetate, benzyl alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene and perfume.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossFlexitol® Skin Balm - suitable for self-careCream: £4.76 (100g)Tube. Contains purified water, urea, lanolin, cetearyl alcohol, glycerine, dimethicone, light liquid paraffin, glyceryl monostearate, decyl oleate, PEG-20 stearate, phenoxyethnol, sodium PCA, butyrospermum parkii, panthenol, tocophyeryl acetate, benzyl alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene and parfum.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Green crossHydromol Intensive® - suitable for self-careCream: £4.62 (100g)Tube. Contains urea 10%, white soft paraffin, isopropyl myristate, maize starch, glyceryl tribehenate, palmitic acid, sorbitan laurate and polyoxyethylene fatty glyceride.

NHS Somerset classify as scorecard project negative.
Emollient creams and ointments, antimicrobial-containing
Emollients containing antimicrobials should only be used when infection is present and should be stopped once it is cleared.
Green cross Dermol®500 - suitable for self-careLotion: £6.04 (500ml)Pump. Contains liquid paraffin 2.5%, isopropyl myristate 2.5%, benzalkonium chloride 0.1% and chlorhexidine dihydrochloride 0.1%