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Epiceram

Used for Eczema, Itching, Skin Allergy, Dry Skin

Skin emollients treat dry skin by moisturizing or hydrating your skin. They also relieve burning or itching related to skin conditions or wounds.

Reviewed by:

Shifali Patel, PharmD

Michelle Nguyen, PharmD

Last reviewed on March 21, 2022

Basics Side effects Pros & cons Pharmacist tips FAQs Warnings Dosage Cost Latest news Prices Medicare

What is Skin emollients?

What is Skin emollients used for?

Dry skin
Relief of burning and itching from skin conditions, such as eczema
Wound healing

How Skin emollients works

Skin emollients work by forming an oily layer on the outer layer of your skin and trapping water or moisture on your skin's surface. This hydrates, moisturizes, and repairs your skin.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsEpiceram, HPR-Plus, PruTect, Biafine, Promiseb

Drug ClassTopical skin product

Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication

Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available

AvailabilityPrescription only

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Avg retail price

$6969.13(save 17.70%)

GoodRx discount

$5735.93

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What are the side effects of Skin emollients?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Burning sensation
Stinging or tingling

Other Side Effects

Skin rash
Skin irritation
Skin sensitivity

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

Allergic reaction: itchy, red rash (hives), shortness of breath, chest tightness, swelling of lips, tongue, face, or eyes

Source: DailyMed

Pros and cons of Skin emollients

Pros

Works well to relieve dry skin or itching related to common skin conditions, such as eczema or allergic skin reactions

Promotes wound healing by creating a moist skin environment

Numerous products available so you can easily switch to a different product if one doesn't work well for you

Available in multiple forms, such as a spray, lotion, cream, and foam

Cons

No lower-cost generic available so can be more expensive

Must use multiple times per day for most dry skin conditions

Can cause overheating if used too close to radiation therapy sessions or MRIs

Not safe for use in children

Pharmacist tips for Skin emollients

Before using certain skin emollients, shake the product well to make sure the product hasn't settled at the bottom. Gently massage the skin emollient into your skin until it gets well absorbed. If you have any broken areas in your skin, you can use a dressing to cover the area after applying your skin emollient. Ask your pharmacist or skin specialist (dermatologist) for further guidance on how to use skin emollients.

Skin emollients should only be used on the outer layer of your skin. Avoid using skin emollients in or around your eyes, nose, mouth, or lips. If the product accidentally comes into contact with any of these areas, use water to rinse the area well.

Some skin emollients, such as Epiceram, can cause a slight tingling sensation after application. This usually lasts anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes and should go away shortly. If the tingling sensation remains or becomes bothersome, let your healthcare provider know. You might need to switch to a different product.

If you're using a foam skin emollient, such as HPR-Plus, you'll need to prime the product before using it for the first time. Shake the can well and hit the bottom of the can on the palm of your hand or any other hard surface at least 3 times. Then, spray the product onto a non-skin surface. Avoid spraying the product onto your skin for the first time because a cold liquid will be dispensed at first. Foam should start coming out of the can within 1 to 3 seconds of pressing down on the pump, and you can then use the product on your skin as needed.

Most skin emollients don't contain any sunscreen or sunblock. Avoid using skin emollients if you plan on spending large amounts of time out in the sun. Direct exposure to sunlight for long periods of time can cause sunburn, so it's important to use sunscreen if you plan on being outside.

Store skin emollients at room temperature in a secure place away from children at all times. Don't freeze skin emollients or expose them to extreme heat, as this can affect how well it'll work and can also lead to overheating. Each skin emollient is different, so read the labeling on your product to learn more about storing your specific product. For additional questions about proper storage or disposal of your product, ask your pharmacist.

Frequently asked questions about Skin emollients

How long can I use skin emollients?

Each skin emollient product is different, so read the instructions on your specific product to determine how often and for how long you can use it. Most skin emollients can be applied up to 4 times per day or as often as needed for 10 to 14 days. If your skin condition doesn't get better or worsens after using a skin emollient product for 10 to 14 days, let your healthcare provider or skin specialist (dermatologist) know. You might need to switch to a different product.

Can I use skin emollients on sunburns?

There are certain skin emollients that are safe to use on sunburns and first and second degree burns, such as Prutect. It can be applied directly to sunburned areas of your skin until the sunburn completely heals. Ask your pharmacist or skin specialist (dermatologist) if you have specific questions about when it's appropriate to use your skin emollient product.

Why are there so many skin emollients, and which one is the best?

Skin emollients are available in multiple forms, such as lotions or foams, so that you have a variety of options to choose from. Each product also has slightly different ingredients, so it's important to read the list of ingredients on your product to make sure you're not allergic to any of the components. All skin emollients will moisturize and protect your skin, so there's not one best product for everyone. Work with your provider or skin specialist (dermatologist) to determine which product is best suited for you and your skin.

Are skin emollients safe to use in children?

Most skin emollients haven't been studied to see how safe or how well they work in children. Many skin emollients come with a warning to keep the product away from children at all times. If your child has dry skin, ask your child's healthcare provider before using skin emollients.

Are skin emollients safe to use during pregnancy?

There aren't any studies looking at the safety of using skin emollients during pregnancy. It's unknown if skin emollients can cause harm to your unborn baby. If you're pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, discuss the risks and benefits with your provider first.

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What are the risks and warnings for Skin emollients?

Skin emollients can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Heating during radiation therapy or MRI

Risk factors: Using skin emollients within 4 hours of radiation therapy | Using skin emollients before getting an MRI

Skin emollients can sometimes cause heating or overheating. This can happen especially during radiation therapy, since some products can dissolve the dye marking the particular areas on the body for radiation. It can also happen during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging, or a type of radiology test), because some skin emollients contain silver nanoparticles that cause heating during the imaging procedure. Avoid applying skin emollients at least 4 hours before your radiation therapy session or MRI. Ask your healthcare provider or radiation oncologist for further instructions about when it's safe to apply skin emollients.