Aqueous cream is a moisturizer that is used to treat skin conditions. It is a non-greasy cream that places a layer of oil on the skin's surface and keeps water from evaporating from the skin. The cream is made from a mixture of water and emulsifying cream, with phenoxyethanol used as a preservative. This product can be used for all types of dry skin problems, whether a person is plagued with dermatitis or eczema. The cream can make the skin more moist, smoother, softer, and more flexible.
Uses of Aqueous Cream
Aqueous cream is a moisturizer that is often used to prevent and treat dry skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis. It is also used as a substitute for soap, shaving cream, and lip balm. Many doctors in the United Kingdom recommend this cream for patients undergoing radiation therapy as well.
It can even be an alternative to using soap. Some people consider using aqueous creams in place of shaving cream, lip balm, or shower gel. It is most often used in the United Kingdom to treat eczema, atopic dermatitis, or aquagenic pruritus. Patients who receive radiation therapy are encouraged to use it to combat against skin redness that results from the treatment.
Causes of Dry Skin
When the outer skin cells do not have enough water, it often results in dry skin. The skin loses its flexibility and becomes itchy and cracked. As people get older, their skin retains less water, as it evaporates from the surface of the skin. Using soap and hot water to wash the skin strips the body of natural oils and moisture as well. Using an aqueous cream can alleviate dry skin problems and contribute to healthier, smoother skin.
As a person ages, the layer of oil on the skin begins to break down, and the person's skin is unable to retain water. The skin then becomes more easily dehydrated, leading to a dry, cracked, irritated surface. The oily base of aqueous cream helps to trap naturally occurring moisture against the surface of the skin. This allows a person's skin to remain smooth and silky and hydrated.
Dry skin is often exacerbated by the harsh soaps and hot water a person uses when he is bathing. Soaps and shower gels are often responsible for taking away the layer of oil that naturally occurs on the skin. Replacing these harsh cleaners with a more gentle aqueous cream can often prevent this type of damage from occurring as quickly.
Application of Aqueous Cream
This type of cream is typically used once a day, and it is massaged into the skin. It is also available as a mixture with vitamin E, and these products are usually lighter than others. This topical cream is relatively inexpensive as well. People with sensitive skin should be careful if deciding to use the cream as it has been known to cause skin reactions in some patients.
Aqueous creams are safe for people of all ages and are easily absorbed into the skin. The cream does not contain alkali ingredients, so it is beneficial for those who are allergic to regular soaps and detergents. It can be used by pregnant and lactating women as well. Before using the cream, a person should consult with a medical professional if she is allergic to ingredients that might be included. If the product is accidentally ingested, an emergency medical professional should be contacted immediately.
To prevent and treat skin dryness, applying a product like an aqueous cream can help. It can be applied at any time, although many experts recommend putting it on after a bath or shower. After bathing, the user should pat the skin dry gently with a towel before using the cream.
Many types of dry skin conditions can be treated with this type of cream. Most of these conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis, become worse when the skin is not treated and left to become dry. Physicians typically recommend people apply the cream several times a day to help keep the skin moisturized.
Side Effects
Most people who use this cream will have no side effects. Mild skin irritation is generally the only problem that occurs. It can be used to prevent, reduce, and treat the symptoms of dry skin that occur for any number of reasons.