Creme de la creme (Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream)

Member Name: katydo

Product:	Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream
Date:	31/03/09 (262 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of uses, really works.

Disadvantages: Can be a bit greasy, can mark clothes.

If you havn't got a pot of Sudocrem in your house, then I urge you to go and buy some. Even though it is well known as a nappy rash remedy, you do not need to have a baby as this fantastic product has many uses.

On the tub it says " Antiseptic Healing Cream" and suggests using it for "Napkin Rash, Eczema and Bed sores" in smaller letters it says "Other Indications: sunburn, Minor Burns, Surface wounds, Acne, chilblains" So you can see why our house calls it the magic cream!

It is so versatile, and is used by every member of my family. Naturally it is used by my grandaughter as part of her bottom changing routine, my daughter uses it when her exzema flares up, my son uses it on his acne and on grazes and grass burns from playing football, my husband uses it when he nics himself with his razor and I use it after a waxing (bikini, moustache, or any other place that needs attention!) and for when I invariably burn myself when cooking or ironing, and my mum uses it for my dads bed sores!

It really is amazing stuff, but whats it made from and how does it work? Well I have done a bit of research and this is what I've come up with -
Sudocrem contains a number of ingredients and properties, such as:

Hypoallergenic lanolin which helps to provide emollient properties.

Zinc oxide is an astringent which reduces the loss of tissue fluid.

Benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate are amongst the ingredients of Peru Balsam which is recognised for its healing properties.

Benzyl alcohol is a weak local anaesthetic which acts to ease localised pain and irritation. It also acts as a disinfectant/antibacterial agent and is responsible for protection against common bacterial contaminants.

It also contains Purified Water, Sodium Benzoate, Paraffin wax, Microcrystalline wax, Heavy Liquid Paraffin, Synthetic Beeswax, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Propylene glycol, Antracine 54, Linalyl acetate, Lavender.

Well thats quite a concoction, but important to know in case you are allergic to any of the ingredients. (Always read the label)

Apparantly, the ingredients haven't changed much since the cream was developed seventy years ago by Thomas Smith, a pharmacist from Dublin. although the name has, and it was changed from Smith Cream to Sudocrem in around 1950. It will always be known as Magic cream by us though!

Sudocrem is widely available and can be found at major supermarkets, chemists and pharmacies. It also comes in a variety of different sizes from 400g, 250g, 125g to 60g tubs, ranging from about £6.00 down to £1.50. In my experience, even though all the family use it, it seems to last forever. (Which is a shame because it has a shelf life of 5 years!) It only needs to be used very sparingly as it is quite thick, and if the area that you have applied it to remains white you have used too much.

It is also worth mentioning that this cream is a bit greasy and can be difficult to remove from clothing, it also takes a bit of washing off skin as it has water repellient properties.

All in all I can't recommend this cream enough. not only does it smell clean, fresh and faintly of lavender, it really does work like magic. And best of all it can be used from the cradle to the grave.

Summary: Really is magic cream!