Savlon saves your skin (Savlon Antiseptic Cream)

Member Name: edinburgher

Product:	Savlon Antiseptic Cream
Date:	24/01/09 (230 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Proven antiseptic qualities, moisturises and soothes sore skin

Disadvantages: None

Savlon is an absolute must for the medicine cabinet - a brilliant cream with a host of uses that is an antiseptic, has a particularly soothing moisturing affect and also has an odour that won't have friends and family running for the hills.

It comes in a range of sizes and I always opt for the 60g version (the second largest to the best of my knowledge) as it offers ridiculous value for money! My 60g tube was purchased 15 months ago (yup, you read that right) and is still half full despite being used for some injury at least once a week. All that for a mere £3.

I've personally used it to help with cuts, burst blisters, cracked skin, irritation, sunburn and to help tattoos heal. The innocuous white cream is slathered on in a thin but generous layer and then rubbed in to the skin patiently. I'm a firm believer of actually taking the time to apply creams properly - if you put on loads but don't rub it in it will simply end up on your towels and bedding etc. Also, there's some simple science that supports this. The greater the surface area of the cream on the skin, the greater the benefit. By this I mean that if you apply 2-3 very thin 'coats', it's considerably better than one big splodge that sits on the skin.

As regards tattoos, a specific note seems appropriate. Savlon is the best product for helping your skin to heal in my experience, period. I've seen a range of expensive tinctures and lotions sold (and reviewed on Dooyoo) and none of the ones that I have come across worked any faster, or did anything too wonderful for your skin. If you're planning some serious ink you will no doubt get through a lot of similar creams and there's no point in buying a product that costs a lot more but does the same job (regardless of the edgy tribal logo on the packet) ;-) I've had several tattoos done and grew up around a lot of folk who thought that tattoos were the greatest way to spend one's disposable income (after beer). Some homeopathic creams might do a good job, granted - but you can't beat a healthy proportion of active ingredients.

As mentioned, the odour is inoffensive (if a little 'mediciney'). It reminds me somewhat of hospitals and cleanliness and neither association is particularly bad. After all, if a cream smells like a hospital you expect it to help heal you..

The active ingredients in Savlon are the antiseptics Cetrimide and Chlorhexidine Gluconate. Both are common ingredients and allergic reactions are uncommon. Chlorhexidine compounds are found in a huge range of toiletries (from mouthwash to creams such as this) and have been approved by the FDA (the US Food and Drink Administration) for decades. So a certain degree of safety is assured!

Great product and a must have for every home.

Summary: Staple product for every medicine cabinet