Epaderm Versus Other Moisturizers

Disclaimer: Epaderm Ointment comes with a fire hazard warning. If used, you should not smoke or go near naked flames; clothing or bedding with this product dried on them can easily catch fire.

For many years, I never used to bother moisturizing my skin. I only ever used to treat my skin with topical steroids and used the odd creams like Aqueous and Cetraben to wash in. The reason for this was very straightforward.

Most moisturizers irritate my skin

I found moisturizers and all the general creams and ointments designed to help the skin stay hydrated really irritated my skin. It was choosing the lesser of the two evils: One, moisturize and itch like crazy, tearing and making my skin cracked and bloody, or two, itching without moisturizing and having to deal with white flaky skin shedding everywhere while occasionally making it bleed. The second option won every single time for me.

My life changed when I found Epaderm

This all changed when Epaderm Ointment came onto the market. And I mean Epaderm Ointment, not Epaderm cream or lotion. This is just another form of the aforementioned moisturizers that never really helped.

Epaderm Ointment is a thick waxy-type substance that is really good for my dry skin. As with all these things, it depends on everyone's own experience with these products.

What's in Epaderm?

There are more than likely many people who find Epaderm Ointment dreadful for their skin. It is just my personal experience. There are very few ingredients in EO: Liquid Paraffin Ph. Eur., Cetomacrogol Emulsifying Wax BP., (contains Cetostearyl Alcohol and Macrogol Cetostearyl Ether 22), Yellow Soft Paraffin. 

Why do I think it works?

Because the ointment is a thick waxy texture, it locks the moisture into my skin for the most part of the day unless it's freezing cold, I will need to use it more frequently.

There's always a downside

Nothing comes without a downside, so if I am going out on a social occasion, I need to make sure I shower about 3/4 hours beforehand and liberally apply the ointment after my shower. If I do not go through this procedure and just slap on the ointment as I'm walking out the front door, my face will look like a greasy beach ball. And no one needs to see that! Right eczema warriors?!

What happens when I use it too frequently?

Don't mistake me; if I use it too often, it can start to irritate me. My body is very sensitive, so I do have to keep an eye on it. Ordinarily, I use it in the mornings and evenings. I believe it is better than traditional moisturizers because although it looks greasy in appearance, it does not feel greasy on my skin. It's thick and dry and doesn't irritate me. The other creams and lotions feel greasy and soak into my skin really quickly and cause me to itch like mad!

Are there alternatives?

The only other ointment I think can match the efficacy of EO is emulsifying wax. EW is thicker and drier and is literally like putting candle wax on your skin. It's a great alternative, but again it all depends on how each individual reacts to these eczema products!