What is epizone cream?: Understanding its uses, benefits, and ingredients

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

Studies show that effective emollient use is crucial for managing dry skin conditions like eczema. What is epizone cream? It is a popular, dermatologically-approved emollient brand designed to hydrate and soothe sensitive, dry, and irritated skin, free from common irritants like fragrances and colorants.

Quick Summary

Epizone cream is a dermatologically recommended South African emollient brand for dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. Available in multiple variants, it provides hydration and can act as a soap substitute.

Key Points

Epizone is a versatile emollient: It is a dermatologically approved brand of creams and ointments used for moisturizing dry and sensitive skin.
Multiple formulations address specific needs: The Epizone range includes different products like Epizone A (light cream), Epizone E (rich ointment), and Epizone Plus (with urea) for varying skin conditions.
Effective for eczema and psoriasis: Epizone cream is commonly used to manage and soothe dry skin conditions, including the itching and scaling associated with eczema and psoriasis.
Serves as a gentle soap substitute: Several Epizone creams can be lathered with water and used as a soap-free cleanser, which prevents the drying effects of harsh soaps.
Formulated for sensitive skin: Many Epizone products are free from fragrances and colorants, making them suitable for sensitive skin, babies, and hyper-allergenic individuals.
Preferred over aqueous cream: Unlike aqueous cream that can contain the skin irritant Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Epizone is often recommended as a safer, less irritating emollient.
Available in South Africa: Based on search results pointing to retailers like Clicks and Dis-Chem, Epizone appears to be primarily available in South Africa.

The Purpose and Formulation of Epizone Cream

Epizone is a brand of dermatological skincare products, primarily emollients, specifically formulated to address a range of dry and sensitive skin conditions. The products are known for being gentle, fragrance-free, and colorant-free, making them suitable for hyper-allergenic individuals, including babies and children. The core purpose of Epizone creams and ointments is to provide effective hydration, soothe irritated skin, and reinforce the skin's natural barrier.

The brand offers several formulations, each tailored to different levels of dry skin or specific concerns. By utilizing a base of common emollient ingredients like liquid paraffin and petrolatum, Epizone products create an occlusive layer that prevents moisture loss from the skin. The inclusion of ingredients like cetomacrogol alcohol and ceteareth-20 helps to stabilize the oil-in-water emulsions, resulting in different textures, from lighter creams to richer ointments.

Diverse Range: Different Epizone Formulations

To cater to various skin needs, Epizone has developed a product line with distinct characteristics. The following are some of the most common:

Epizone A Cream: A light, non-greasy moisturizing cream formulated with cetomacrogol. It absorbs quickly and is ideal for daily hydration for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It can also be used as a gentle soap substitute.
Epizone E Ointment: A richer, thicker emulsifying ointment designed for very dry skin conditions, such as severe eczema and psoriasis. It is particularly effective at retaining moisture for extended periods and can also serve as a soap substitute.
Epizone Plus Hydrating Cream: This formula contains urea, a natural moisturizing factor known for its hydrating and keratolytic properties. It is specifically for very dry, scaly skin and helps remove excessive scaling, making it perfect for areas like the elbows and heels.
Epizone Heel Balm: A specialized product containing urea and salicylic acid, both of which are keratolytics that help smooth and soften extremely dry, cracked, and calloused heels and elbows.
Epizone with Menthol: A gentle, all-purpose emollient with a menthol additive that provides a cooling and soothing sensation for dry skin.

Benefits and Applications of Using Epizone Cream

The widespread use of Epizone products stems from a variety of benefits for individuals with dry and sensitive skin. These advantages include:

Effective and Sustained Hydration: The emollient and occlusive properties of ingredients like petrolatum and paraffinum liquidum work to lock in moisture, preventing the skin from drying out and promoting a healthy, soft skin barrier.
Soothes Irritated Skin: Epizone creams are highly effective at soothing the itchiness and inflammation associated with conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Gentle Cleansing Alternative: When used as a soap substitute, Epizone helps cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils, which harsh soaps often do. This is especially beneficial for people with sensitive or inflamed skin.
Suitable for All Ages: The mild, hypoallergenic formulation of many Epizone products means they are safe for use on babies, children, and adults with sensitive skin.
Non-Greasy Feel: Formulas like Epizone A are quickly absorbed and do not leave an oily residue, making them comfortable for daily use.

Epizone Cream vs. Aqueous Cream: A Critical Comparison

In the realm of emollients for sensitive skin, aqueous cream has historically been a popular choice. However, modern dermatological understanding has highlighted potential issues with its use, particularly for eczema patients, making Epizone a preferred alternative.


Feature	Epizone Cream	Aqueous Cream	Reason for Difference
Key Irritant	Generally free of SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate).	Contains SLS, a detergent known to irritate the skin barrier.	Absence of known irritants makes Epizone gentler on sensitive skin.
Recommended Use	Safe as a leave-on emollient and soap substitute.	No longer recommended as a leave-on emollient for eczema patients due to skin irritation.	SLS can damage the skin barrier over time, worsening conditions like eczema.
Emollient Base	Utilizes cetomacrogol and paraffins for hydration.	Uses emulsifying ointment base, including SLS.	Different base formulations lead to variations in gentleness and suitability for sensitive conditions.
Texture	Varies by product (e.g., light cream, rich ointment).	Primarily a uniform, white cream.	Epizone offers more specialized textures for different skin needs.

Usage and Precautions

To maximize the benefits of Epizone cream, follow these general guidelines:

As a Moisturizer: Apply liberally and frequently to the skin, especially after bathing or showering, while the skin is still slightly damp. This helps to lock in maximum moisture.
As a Soap Substitute: Use lukewarm water to work the cream into a creamy lather. Apply to the skin and rinse off gently. This prevents the drying effect of conventional soaps.
Storage: Store at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.
Precautions: Epizone products are for external use only. Avoid contact with eyes; flush with water if contact occurs. Discontinue use if irritation develops. For medicated products like Epizone LPC (tar therapy), use only as directed by a dermatologist.

Conclusion

Epizone cream is a versatile, dermatologically approved emollient brand that provides effective relief for a range of dry and sensitive skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis. Its various formulations, such as the light Epizone A and the richer Epizone E, offer tailored solutions for different needs. Notably, its exclusion of common irritants like SLS makes it a safer and gentler alternative to some aqueous creams. Whether used as a daily moisturizer, a soap substitute, or a barrier cream, Epizone provides a gentle, hydrating, and protective solution for maintaining healthy, balanced skin. More information on their products and specific applications can be found on the brand's official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many Epizone products, such as Epizone A, are formulated to be mild and gentle enough for use on babies and children, and are often free of fragrances and colorants.

Yes, Epizone is a recommended emollient brand specifically for managing dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, helping to hydrate and soothe irritated skin.

Yes, certain Epizone products, including Epizone A and E, can be lathered with warm water and used as a gentle, soap-free cleanser to avoid the drying effects of traditional soaps.

Epizone A is a lighter, non-greasy cream ideal for daily moisturization, while Epizone E is a thicker ointment formula intended for more intensive treatment of very dry skin and conditions like psoriasis.

Based on search results, Epizone products are widely available at major pharmacies in South Africa, including Dis-Chem and Clicks.

No, Epizone creams are emollients and do not contain steroids. While some variants may contain specific active ingredients (e.g., urea), the primary purpose is moisturizing, not anti-inflammatory medication.

Yes, Epizone is dermatologically approved and its gentle, fragrance-free formulation makes it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and hyper-allergenic skin.

Epizone is often preferred because, unlike many aqueous creams, it is typically free of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a detergent that can irritate and damage the skin barrier of sensitive individuals.