E45 — Frequently Asked Questions
Which E45 product should I start with for everyday dry skin?
For general dry, rough or flaky skin, most people start with E45 Cream 125g. The product description says it is clinically proven to soothe dry, itching, flaking, chapped, rough and calloused skin, and that it works by replacing lost moisture and forming a protective barrier. If you are moisturising large areas every day, the 500g pump gives you the same cream in a hygienic pump pack.
Cream, lotion or wash — what is the difference?
They do three different jobs, and most people end up using two or three of them together:
- Cream — the richest texture, best for very dry patches, hands, elbows and heels. E45 Cream 125g is the classic.
- Lotion — lighter and quicker to absorb, so easier for large areas and warmer weather. E45 Moisturising Lotion Pump 500ml is perfume free, hypoallergenic and non-greasy, and is described as suitable for the whole family including babies.
- Wash — replaces soap at the sink or in the shower. E45 Emollient Hand & Body Wash Cream 250ml is soap-free and detergent-free and helps skin retain its natural moisture, while E45 Emollient Shower Cream 200ml is non-foaming, non-drying and perfume free for very dry, sensitive and itchy skin.
If your skin feels tight or stings after a shower, changing what you wash with is usually the single biggest improvement you can make.
Can I use E45 on a baby or child?
Several products in the range are aimed at younger skin, but always check the individual pack first:
For a newborn, or if your child has already been given a specific emollient by a GP, practice nurse or dermatologist, check with us before you switch.
Is E45 suitable for eczema-prone or psoriasis-prone skin?
The range includes options intended for this kind of skin. E45 Cream Pump 500g is listed by the manufacturer as suitable for eczema, dermatitis, ichthyosis and psoriasis, and E45 Eczema Relief Cream 60g is a fragrance-free, non-greasy cream formulated to hydrate and protect skin prone to eczema flare-ups. These are emollients and skincare products, not a cure for a diagnosed condition. If a skin problem is severe, spreading, weeping, infected-looking or simply not improving, please stop and speak to your GP or to one of our pharmacists.
How and when should I apply an emollient?
Apply generously rather than sparingly, and smooth it on gently in the direction the hair grows rather than rubbing it in hard. The best moment is straight after a bath or shower while skin is still slightly damp, because you are sealing in water that is already there. Twice a day is a sensible baseline for dry skin, and more often during a dry or itchy spell — hands and face may need topping up after every wash. Leave a few minutes before dressing so the cream is not lifted straight back off onto your clothes.
What can I use when skin suddenly feels itchy?
Two products are made for exactly that moment. E45 Itch Relief Gel 100ml is a lightweight gel with glycerin and vitamin B5 that is designed to cool and calm dry, itchy, irritated skin and absorbs without rubbing, which helps on sensitive areas. E45 Itch Relief Cool Mousse 100ml uses betaine and purified aloe vera leaf extract in a foam texture, and can be used alongside an emollient for extra moisturisation. Both can be kept in the fridge for added cooling relief.
Is there an E45 range for the face?
Yes, there is a separate face line: Face Care Foaming Cleanser to cleanse, Face Care Hydrating Serum as a lighter layer underneath, Face Hydrating Moisturiser by day, Face Night Cream overnight, and Face Daily Protect SPF30 when you want moisturiser and SPF30 in one step. The face moisturiser is described as suitable for all skin types and gentle enough for sensitive skin.
What should I use for a dry, itchy scalp?
E45 Dry Scalp Shampoo 200ml is a gentle shampoo for dry, itchy scalps and dandruff, with a soothing action to relieve itching. It is perfume free and hypoallergenic, which suits people who react to heavily scented anti-dandruff shampoos. If the scalp is very scaly, red or sore, have it looked at rather than treating it indefinitely at home.
Are E45 products fragranced?
Most of the core range is deliberately perfume free, which matters if your skin reacts to fragrance:
If you have reacted to a skincare product before, patch test a small area on the inner forearm for a day or two before using anything widely.
Which size should I buy, and what works out best value?
E45 Cream comes in a 125g tube and a 500g pump, and the lotion comes as a 200ml bottle, a 500ml pump and the 400ml Daily Care Hydrating Lotion. As a rule the pump packs work out cheaper per gram or millilitre and are far easier to use one-handed, so they suit daily whole-body use. Small tubes are better for a handbag, a school bag or a first try of a formula you have not used before. All prices on this page are shown in euro.
What is HC45, and how is it different from E45?
HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream 1% 15g contains 1% hydrocortisone, a mild steroid, and is intended for inflammatory skin rashes such as allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, insect bite reactions and mild to moderate eczema. It is a very different product from an emollient: it is a pharmacy medicine for short-term use on a flare, not a daily moisturiser, and our pharmacist reviews these orders before they are dispatched. Always read the patient information leaflet, and ask us if you are not sure whether it is the right choice.
Do you deliver E45 across Ireland?
Yes. Every order is picked and dispatched by our team in Co. Donegal and delivered nationwide across Ireland, with all prices shown in euro. Because we are a registered Irish pharmacy, you can also ring or message us before you order if you would like a pharmacist to help you choose between the cream, the lotion and the wash — it is usually a two-minute conversation and it saves buying the wrong format.
Inish Pharmacy Expert Tip
"The mistake we see most often is someone using a lovely emollient and then washing with a foaming shower gel that undoes all of it. Swap the shower gel for the E45 wash or shower cream first, keep a small tube of cream at every sink in the house, and apply within three minutes of towelling off while the skin is still damp — that one change does more for winter dryness than trading up to a more expensive cream."
