Body Cream Products

The products listed on this page are available without a prescription, unless otherwise noted.

Emollient Only:

Vaseline® 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly, and of course Vaseline Intensive Care® Lotion, Vaseline Intensive Care® Hand and Nail Lotion, Vaseline Intensive Care® Moisturizing Body Wash, Vaseline® Lip Therapy. Vaseline is one of the original products recommended for people with ichthyosis, and continues to be one of the most popular. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Cream Dual Action Alpha Hydroxy formula also comes recommended by our users (creams with lecithin dramatically help some people in making the skin softer and not so tight).

Eucerin is one of the oldest products that people with ichthyosis have relied on (right after Vaseline!).  The Eurcerin line of products has expanded in recent years to include a number of creams, lotions, and related products.  Most people with ichthyosis prefer the creams, either Eucerin Original Cream or Eucerin Plus Cream   (the "Plus" means alpha hydroxy acids have been added...so the "Plus" version should really be classified below with "exfoliants.") because the cream version is heavier, and keeps ichthyotic skin moister, longer. Check out Beiersdorf's webpage for more information on Eucerin.  New: Beiersdorf has expanded the Eucerin line with the addition of Eucerin 10 Percent Urea Cream.  It's available only by prescription, but this means at least you stand a better chance of your insurance covering it!

Another Beiersdorf product that is popular with people that have ichthyosis is Aquaphor.  The DermaDoctor website has a FAQ about using Aquaphor. 

Is the itching driving you crazy?   Stiefel Laboratories makes Sarna Anti Itch Lotion, a topical analgesic and anesthetic that is available without a prescription.  It contains camphor 0.5% and menthol 0.5% as its active ingredients. Not only does it moisturize, but it's "active ingredients" work to stop the itching.  It's in a nice, white lotion base that seems to be non-irritating to most people. The people who like it the most are those with lots of itching, kids with Lamellar Ichthyosis, everyone with PRP, Dariers Disease, etc.  It is reasonably priced at around $10 for a fairly large size and is available at drug stores.  There are some other good anti-itch products that are over the counter, but this is the one that people with ichthyosis recommend the most often, because it has worked on nearly everyone that has tried it and it washes out of clothing etc.

Carmol is also a product that has been used by people with ichthyosis for many years.  We've included it "non prescription" products, as certain forms can be obtained without a prescription; however, it is available in strongers versions that do require a presciption.  Check out Bradley Pharmaceuticals webpage for more information.

Yet another product that has been around a while, and is a favorite of some people with ichthyosis is Vanicream.  Check out Pharmaceutical Specialties webpage for more information.

Velvachol by itself does not contain any exfoliant ingredient.  Velvachol is an excellent base to which an alpha hydroxy acid can be added (to have Velvachol compounded with an alpha hydroxy acid would require a prescription, though). 

Why do we consider Velvachol such a great base?  Because it contains moisturizing ingredients that are effective with ichthyotic skin (like petrolatum and mineral oil), but unlike pure petrolatum, it is water miscible.  This means it's easier to wash out of your clothes, sheets, any fabric that comes in contact with your skin when it's "creamed up," minimizing the "gunky build-up" on the fabric that can result with other products.  Velvachol can also be used by itself, just as a moisturizer. 

Your local pharmacist should be able to order this for you.  If not, at least one place from which it can be mail ordered is Westbury Pharmacy. 

Other favorites available from your local drugstore:
Lubriderm
Curel
Moisturel
Neutragena Norwegian Formula 

Exfollient (most are also emollient):

Neoceutical's Problem Dry Skin (PDS) treatments were created especially for people with ichthyosis, and is fast becoming a favorite.  PDS cream comes in two strengths; the PDS line of products also includes a scalp treatment, ear care, and other helpful products.  For a comprehensive analysis of PDS, check out Case Studies that NeoStrata did on people with ichthyosis.  Besides showing the very impressive results that patients saw, it also provides some great pictures of what different types of ichthyotic skin look like.

Check out NeoStrata's webpage for more information, including ordering both within the U.S. and internationally.

 

Dermal Therapy makes several excellent creams and lotions, including an Alpha Hydroxy Lotion specially formulated for FIRST members.  The Alpha Hydroxy Lotion contains 10% urea and 10% lactic acid, stabilized in pure silk protein.   The Extra Strength Body Lotion only has urea (no lactic acid). The silk protein makes this product really unique, as I don't know anyone else who does this, and it smoothes the skin in a way that nothing else I've ever used does.   It's also not only fragrance-free, it's recently been re-formulated to be odor-free (you know how certain creams have a funny odor?  None of that with this one!)

In the US or Canada, you can contact Dermal Therapy at 800-668-8000; otherwise, visit their website.  They can ship worldwide. 

 

Upsher Smith makes a product, Amlactin 12%. Amlactin 12% contains ammonium lactate, the same as Lac-Hydrin (which is equivalent to 12% lactic acid). However, Lac-Hydrin 12% is only available with a prescription, whereas Amlactin is available over-the-counter. If you’ve always wondered if Lac-Hydrin would help you, but never taken the trouble to get a prescription and try it, Amlactin may be your ticket to give it a try with less hassle.

Aqua Glycolic is a favorite of many with ichthyosis, though it seems currently to be preferred by people with mild-to-moderate cases of ichthyosis.  It is made by Merz. Check out Merz Pharmaceuticals website for more information on Aqua Glycolic.

Ultramide 25.  From Baker-Cummins, Ultramide 25 contains 25% urea and no parabens.

Ingredients: Urea, Mineral Oil, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lanolin, Butyrolactone, Sorbitan Monolaurate, Polyoxyl 50 Stearate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Magnesium Aluminium Silicate, Propylene Glycol Stearate SE, Cetyl Alcohol, Bouquet 501-443, Diazolidinyl Urea, Tetrasodium Salt of Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid, Water

Prescription Required:

Retin-A: Like many products that are helpful to some people with ichthyosis, this one was originally developed for use on acne.  It contains tretinoin, which is a derivative of vitamin A.  This is one of those products that people with ichthyosis seem to either love or hate.  You never know until you try it; talk to your dermatologist about Retin-A if you're interested.

  Information about Lac-Hydrin is available from the FDA. 

Tazorac is manufactured by Allergan and is actually intended for the treatment of psoriasis and acne. Unlike most of the creams and lotions used for ichthyosis treatment, it is applied to the skin when dry. It does a great job of de-scaling.  Information for patients is available here and at Tazorac.com. It is commonly sold in two concentrations: 0.05% and 0.1%. 

Check our Bulletin Board for postings about which concentration different types of people prefer.  Also, see PDR Drug Info on Tazorac here.