| TL;DR Epaderm Cream is a paraffin-based, SLS-free, fragrance-free emollient made by Mölnlycke Health Care and one of the most widely prescribed emollients on the NHS in the UK. It is a 2-in-1 product: a leave-on moisturiser and a soap substitute, suitable for eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis, and all other dry skin conditions, from birth onwards. In a clinical study, over 85% of healthcare professionals observed improved dry skin after four weeks of use, and nearly 85% of patients reported improved skin softness. |
If you have been prescribed Epaderm Cream, or you are browsing for an emollient that will actually work for eczema or psoriasis, you are probably confronted with a shelf full of products that all claim much the same thing. Epaderm Cream stands out because it is not simply a cosmetic moisturiser. It is a clinically formulated, medically prescribed emollient with a specific mechanism of action, a six-ingredient formula developed to treat diagnosed skin conditions, and a track record in NHS dermatology practice that spans many years. Understanding what it does, how to apply it properly, and when to use it alongside or instead of the ointment version can make a substantial difference to how well it works for you.
What Is Epaderm Cream?
Epaderm Cream is an emollient formulated and manufactured by Mölnlycke Health Care, a Swedish medical device and healthcare company. It is produced specifically for the management of dry skin conditions, including atopic eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis, contact dermatitis, and other conditions where the skin barrier is chronically compromised.
It is classified as a 2-in-1 product because it can be used in two distinct ways: as a leave-on moisturising cream applied directly to the skin, and as a soap substitute when lathered under warm water in place of conventional hand wash or body wash. This dual function is clinically important, because replacing soap and shower gels — both of which strip the skin’s natural lipid barrier — with an emollient cleanser removes one of the most consistent daily irritant exposures for people with eczema-prone skin.
Epaderm Cream is listed on the NHS Drug Tariff, meaning it can be prescribed on the NHS for diagnosed dermatological conditions. It is also available to buy over the counter without a prescription, in 50g, 150g, and 500g pump dispenser formats. The pump dispenser is a deliberate design choice — it reduces the contamination risk that comes with dipping fingers into a tub and is considerably more hygienic for daily use.
The Ingredients: What They Are and What They Do?
Epaderm Cream contains six ingredients. This is a deliberately minimal formulation, and the simplicity is one of its clinical advantages — fewer ingredients means fewer potential allergens and fewer opportunities for skin sensitisation.
The full ingredient list is: Purified Water EP, Liquid Paraffin Ph. Eur., Yellow Soft Paraffin BP, Cetomacrogol Emulsifying Wax BP (which itself contains Cetostearyl Alcohol and Macrogol Cetostearyl Ether 22), Chlorocresol, and Glycerine BP.
Liquid paraffin and yellow soft paraffin
These are the two active occlusive agents. They sit on the surface of the skin and form a physical film that significantly reduces transepidermal water loss — the process by which moisture evaporates through the damaged skin barrier. This is not simply hydration: it is barrier reinforcement. In eczematous skin, the barrier is structurally deficient because of low ceramide production and altered lipid composition. Paraffin-based emollients fill the spaces in the compromised barrier with lipid-rich material, smoothing the surface and reducing water loss.
Cetomacrogol Emulsifying Wax BP
This blends the oil-based paraffins with the water phase of the formulation so the cream is stable, smooth, and easy to work into skin. Without an emulsifier, the oils and water would separate. The cetostearyl alcohol within the wax is a fatty alcohol — worth clarifying, because the word ‘alcohol’ alarms some people. Fatty alcohols are fundamentally different from simple alcohols like ethanol; they are solid, waxy, and actively emollient rather than drying.
Glycerine BP
This is a humectant — it draws water from the air and from deeper skin layers into the outer layers of the skin, actively adding moisture rather than simply preventing its escape. The combination of paraffin occlusives and glycerine humectant means Epaderm Cream works through two complementary mechanisms simultaneously.
Chlorocresol
This is the preservative. It is present in a very small quantity and is necessary to prevent microbial contamination of a water-containing cream. Chlorocresol is a documented contact allergen in a small minority of people — if you have ever been patch-tested and found to be sensitive to chlorocresol, or if you notice your skin becoming more irritated after using Epaderm Cream rather than better, raise this with your GP or pharmacist. In the vast majority of users it causes no problems whatsoever. The ointment version of Epaderm does not contain chlorocresol, because ointments do not require a water-soluble preservative.
The product is entirely free from sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), fragrances, colourings, parabens, and steroids.
How Epaderm Cream Works
An emollient is not the same as a standard moisturiser, even though the words are often used interchangeably. A standard moisturiser may temporarily add water to the skin’s surface. An emollient specifically softens and smooths the skin by replenishing the lipids in the outer skin layer and reducing transepidermal water loss — it is a therapeutic intervention rather than a cosmetic one.
In eczematous skin, the outer layer (the stratum corneum) is structurally defective. It lacks sufficient ceramides, its tight junctions are compromised, and it loses water far more rapidly than healthy skin. This dryness triggers the itch-scratch cycle: dry skin itches, scratching breaks the barrier further, more water is lost, the skin becomes drier, and inflammation increases. Epaderm Cream interrupts this cycle at the barrier level by providing the occlusive and humectant support the skin cannot produce for itself.
In a clinical study assessed by healthcare professionals, over 85% noticed an improvement in dry skin condition after four weeks of Epaderm Cream use, and nearly 85% of patients reported an improvement in skin softness. These results do not happen because Epaderm Cream is a sophisticated molecule — they happen because it is applied consistently and in sufficient quantity to a compromised skin barrier, delivering sustained lipid support that the skin needs to function.
Epaderm Cream vs Epaderm Ointment — Which One Should You Use?
This is the question that causes most confusion among people new to the Epaderm range, and it is worth answering clearly. They are not interchangeable, and they are not competing products — they are designed to complement each other.
| Aspects | Epaderm Cream (2-in-1) | Epaderm Ointment (3-in-1) |
| Texture | Light, non-greasy, absorbs quickly | Thick, buttery, highly occlusive |
| Best use | Daytime, face, children at school | Night-time, severe dryness, wet wrapping |
| Used as bath additive? | No | Yes |
| Preservative-free? | No (contains chlorocresol) | Yes — better for sensitive skin |
| Best strategy | AM — use the cream | PM — use the ointment |
The most effective strategy for many people is to use both: Epaderm Cream during the day as a leave-on emollient and soap substitute, and Epaderm Ointment at night — applied generously before bed and ideally covered with 100% cotton pyjamas or sleepwear to enhance absorption and prevent transfer to bedding.
How to Use Epaderm Cream Correctly — Step by Step
Getting the application right matters as much as choosing the right product. Most people who find emollients ‘don’t work’ are either applying too little, too infrequently, or using an incorrect technique.
As a leave-on emollient
Apply Epaderm Cream liberally to the affected area and massage it gently into the skin. Use smooth, downward strokes in the direction of hair growth — rubbing against the grain of the hair can block follicles and cause folliculitis, particularly on the legs. Do not rub the cream in vigorously; smooth it on and allow the skin to absorb it.
The single most important moment to apply it is immediately after washing or bathing, while the skin is still slightly damp. Emollients are especially effective if applied immediately after washing to counteract the loss of essential oils from the skin. The warm water from bathing opens the skin’s pores and softens the surface layer — applying emollient at this point locks in the existing moisture before it evaporates.
Apply it as often as required throughout the day, even when skin looks clear. NICE guidance on eczema recommends that emollients should always be used even when the skin is clear — the emollient routine is not just for flare-ups, it is the daily maintenance that prevents them. Adults managing eczema over the whole body should be getting through approximately 500g of emollient per week.
As a soap substitute
Dispense a small amount of Epaderm Cream onto your hands, lather gently under warm water, and use as you would ordinary soap to wash your face, hands, or body. Rinse off and pat the skin dry with a clean, soft towel — do not rub. Using Epaderm Cream as a soap substitute replaces the daily stripping of the skin barrier caused by conventional soaps, shower gels, and bubble baths.
How much to use
The cream can be applied to all body areas, including the face. For full-body application twice daily on an adult, use generous volumes. If your 500g dispenser is lasting three months, you are likely under-applying.
With other topical treatments
If you are also using a topical corticosteroid or other prescribed cream, apply the treatments one at a time and wait at least 20 to 30 minutes between products. This waiting time allows each treatment to absorb before the next is applied and prevents dilution of the active ingredient. The order does not matter clinically — what matters is the gap.
Wet Wrapping With Epaderm Cream
Wet wrapping is a technique used for moderate to severe eczema flares, particularly in children, that significantly enhances the absorption and effectiveness of both emollients and topical steroids. Epaderm Ointment is the preferred product for wet wrapping because of its denser barrier properties, but Epaderm Cream can be used in this technique too.
The method: apply a generous layer of emollient to the affected area. Place damp (not dripping) bandages or tubular bandages over the emollient layer, then cover with a dry layer of bandages or cotton clothing. Leave in place for a few hours or overnight. The damp layer increases skin hydration and drives deeper penetration of the emollient — and, where a topical steroid is used first, of the steroid too. If you are considering wet wrapping for a child with severe eczema, discuss it with your GP or dermatology team first, particularly if any topical corticosteroid is involved.
Who Epaderm Cream Is Suitable For
Epaderm Cream is suitable for use by all ages, including newborns and babies from birth. It is prescribed and used routinely for infantile eczema, where its absence of fragrances, colourings, SLS, and steroids makes it one of the safest available options for the most sensitive skin.
It is appropriate for eczema (atopic, contact, discoid, and hand eczema), psoriasis, ichthyosis, general dry and itchy skin, and as a maintenance emollient for any skin condition characterised by barrier dysfunction.
The only people who should use it with caution are those with confirmed sensitivity to any of its six listed ingredients — most notably chlorocresol. If you have had patch testing and this has been identified as an allergen for you, the ointment formulation (which contains no chlorocresol) is a better alternative.
The Fire Hazard — What You Need to Know
This is a safety point that must be included and understood properly, because it is often misunderstood in a way that unnecessarily alarms people.
| ⚠ Fire Safety WarningEmollients are not flammable in themselves, or when they are on the skin. However, if bedding, clothing and dressings containing dried emollient residue catch fire, they ignite and burn more quickly and intensely. |
You can find Epaderm Cream in 50g, 150g, and 500g pump dispensers at Star Pharmacy, with fast UK delivery to your door.
Final Thoughts
Epaderm Cream is not a complicated product — and that simplicity is one of its greatest strengths. Six ingredients, no unnecessary additives, a dual function as both moisturiser and cleanser, and a formulation that is suitable for everyone from newborns to elderly patients with chronic skin conditions. What makes the difference between it working and not working is almost always about application: how much you use, how often, and whether you are treating your skin consistently even when it looks clear.
If you are managing eczema, psoriasis, or chronic dry skin, the right emollient routine is the foundation that everything else — including topical steroids and prescription treatments — is built on. Epaderm Cream, used properly and in adequate quantities, is one of the most reliable foundations available.
FAQs
What is Epaderm Cream used for?
Epaderm Cream is used for the management of dry skin conditions, including atopic eczema, psoriasis, discoid eczema, contact dermatitis, and ichthyosis. It is both a leave-on moisturising emollient and a soap substitute, making it a 2-in-1 product suitable for daily use on the face, body, and hands. It can be used on all dry skin conditions and is suitable for all ages, including babies. It is available on NHS prescription for diagnosed dermatological conditions and can also be purchased over the counter.
What is the difference between Epaderm Cream and Epaderm Ointment?
The key difference is texture, occlusive strength, and the number of uses. Epaderm Ointment is a greasy, thick formula offering intense hydration and a strong moisture barrier, best for severe dryness or night-time use. Epaderm Cream is a light, non-greasy moisturiser that absorbs quickly, suitable for daily or daytime use, especially on the hands and face. The ointment is also a 3-in-1 product that can be used as a bath additive, whereas the cream cannot. Many people use both cream during the day and ointment at night for maximum protection.
How often should I apply Epaderm Cream?
Apply it as often as needed throughout the day — at minimum twice daily, and more frequently during a flare or in cold, dry weather. Epaderm Cream should be applied generously and frequently, even when the skin has improved. The most important application is immediately after bathing or hand washing, while the skin is still slightly damp, to lock in moisture before it evaporates. Adults managing full-body eczema should expect to use around 500g per week.
Can I use Epaderm Cream on my baby’s face?
Yes. Epaderm Cream is suitable for use on babies from birth, including on the face. It contains no fragrances, colourings, steroids, SLS, or parabens, which makes it one of the safest leave-on emollients for infant skin. Apply gently using clean fingertips or a soft cloth, smoothing in the direction of hair growth. Avoid contact with the eyes, and wash your hands after application. If your baby’s skin condition is not improving with regular emollient use, speak to your GP about whether a topical corticosteroid is also needed during flare-ups.
Is Epaderm Cream available on NHS prescription?
Yes. Epaderm Cream is listed on the NHS Drug Tariff and can be prescribed by GPs and nurse prescribers for diagnosed dry skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis. Emollients should be prescribed for the management of diagnosed dermatological conditions — if your condition is mild or self-limiting, your GP may advise purchasing it over the counter. It is available from Star Pharmacy without a prescription in 50g, 150g, and 500g sizes, which is a practical and cost-effective option for anyone who uses it regularly and in generous quantities.