Emulsifying ointment

It’s recommended to use emulsifying ointment instead of soap (a soap substitute) because soaps (including shower gels and bubble baths) can dry out your skin.

Prepare the soap substitute ahead of time by carefully mixing 3 to 4 large spoonfuls of emulsifying ointment with very hot water to achieve a creamy soap consistency.

When it’s cool, use it in the shower or bath instead of soap. The ointment label may also have information about how to prepare this soap substitute.

In Aotearoa New Zealand the ADE and Topiderm brands of emulsifying ointment don't contain SLS so can be used as a moisturiser. Check that the emulsifying ointment you're using is SLS-free before you use it as a leave-on emollient.

Emulsifying ointments that contains SLS can irritate the skin

Some brands of emulsifying ointment may contain an ingredient called sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). SLS can irritate your skin when it’s left on for a long time. This can cause skin reactions, such as burning, stinging, itching and redness. These reactions have been noticed when emulsifying ointment is used as a leave-on emollient but not when it's used as a soap substitute that's rinsed off.

If the brand of emulsifying ointment you’re using contains SLS it must be rinsed off after use. Do NOT use it as a leave-on emollient or moisturiser.

How to use SLS-free emulsifying ointment as a leave-on moisturiser

Apply emulsifying ointment several times a day.

Most people don’t use enough ointment or don’t apply it often enough.

• Very dry skin may need to have it applied every 2 hours.
• The amount of ointment required per week for people with eczema averages from 150 to 200 g for young children and 500 g for adults.
• You can’t use too much as it doesn’t contain active medicine that passes through the skin.

It’s works best if you apply the emulsifying ointment immediately after washing to reduce the loss of water from your skin. Use it at other times during the day as well.

• Pat your skin dry and use a clean spoon or spatula to scoop out emollient from the tub to lessen the chance of contaminating the rest of the tub of ointment.
• Smooth the ointment onto the dry or scaly skin in the direction of your hair growth (usually down the body) and allow it to soak into the skin. You don’t need to rub it in.

Here are some things to know when you're using emulsifying ointment. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

• Slip hazard: When using emulsifying ointment in the bath or shower, the floor can become slippery so use a bathmat or shower mat to avoid accidents.
• Fire hazard: emollients can soak into clothing and bedding and, when used in large quantities over large areas, can catch fire because it contains paraffin oils. Keep away from open fires and flames, eg, candles, and don't smoke when you're using emulsifying ointment. Read more about the fire hazard for skin products containing paraffin(external link).
• After a skin infection, throw away the tub you’ve been using and start a new tub of emulsifying ointment.
• Keep using emulsifying ointment even when your skin barrier has improved. Regular use of emollients is an important part of treatment because it helps prevent your skin from becoming dry.
• If you’re also using a steroid cream, apply the emulsifying ointment first then wait 15 minutes before applying the steroid cream.
• Emulsifying ointment doesn’t clog the drain or pipes.

Like all medicines emulsifying ointment can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. 

Side effects

You may get signs of sensitivity or an allergic reaction to emulsifying ointment, such as red, itchy skin. This may be confused with a flare up of the eczema or dermatitis. If this happens, tell your healthcare provider.   

Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.