Supporting an elderly parent with dry or sensitive skin can be a small but important part of day-to-day care. Emollients are moisturising treatments applied directly to the skin to soothe and hydrate it, and they help create a protective film to trap moisture. They are often used for dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
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DISCLAIMER
Emollient creams can make baths, showers, floors, clothing and bedding slippery, increasing the risk of falls. Take extra care after applying creams, especially before bathing or walking on smooth surfaces. Many emollients also contain paraffin, petroleum or other ingredients that can soak into fabrics and become flammable. Keep treated skin, clothing, towels and bedding away from naked flames, cigarettes and other heat sources. Always follow the product instructions and seek advice from a pharmacist, GP or nurse if you are unsure.
1. Zeroderma Zerobase Emollient Cream
Zeroderma Zerobase is a 500g emollient cream working as a 2-in-1 moisturiser and soap substitute for dry and eczema-prone skin.
This may suit an elderly parent who needs a straightforward cream for regular use, particularly if ordinary soaps or washes tend to make their skin feel dry or tight. The larger 500g size is helpful for keeping at home, especially where emollient use is part of a daily routine.
Pros:
✔️ Can be used as both a moisturiser and soap substitute
✔️ Large 500g size for regular home use
✔️ Designed for dry and eczema-prone skin
✔️ Practical option for a simple daily skincare routine
Cons:
❌ Tub-style packaging may be harder for some people with reduced hand strength
❌ May feel richer or heavier than a lighter lotion
🏆 Best for: Elderly parents who need a simple, regular-use emollient that can also replace drying soap products.
2. E45 Moisturiser
E45’s 500g tub is a moisturiser for the body, face and hands, aimed at dry, flaky skin and suitable for conditions including eczema, dry psoriasis and sunburn.
It is a familiar brand for many households and may be a practical choice where your parent wants one cream that can be kept beside the bed, in the bathroom or in a living room for regular application. Its broad use across body, face and hands makes it a convenient everyday option.
Pros:
✔️ Suitable for body, face and hands
✔️ 500g tub gives plenty for regular use
✔️ Familiar brand that many older people may already recognise
✔️ Designed for dry and flaky skin
✔️ Useful for keeping in one place at home for daily moisturising
Cons:
❌ A tub may be less hygienic than a pump if several people are helping apply it
🏆 Best for: Elderly parents who want a familiar, all-round moisturising cream for everyday dry skin care.
3. KIPOZI Cetraben Emollient Cream
The KIPOZI Cetraben Emollient Cream Pump Dispenser Triple Pack is a moisturiser for dry, sensitive, itchy, thin or eczema-prone skin.
Pros:
✔️ Pump dispenser may be easier and cleaner to use than a tub
✔️ Triple pack offers a larger supply for regular routines
✔️ Good option where carers are helping with application
✔️ Suitable for dry, sensitive, itchy, thin or eczema-prone skin
Cons:
❌ Pump dispensers can sometimes be difficult if hand strength is very limited
❌ Less suitable if your parent is still trying different emollients to see what suits their skin
🏆 Best for: Homes where emollient cream is used regularly and a pump dispenser would make application cleaner and more convenient.
4. Vaseline Original Pure Petroleum Jelly
Vaseline Original Pure Petroleum Jelly is a fragrance-free petroleum jelly designed to lock in moisture and help protect dry or damaged skin. It can be applied across the body, including the face and lips.
This may suit an elderly parent who has very dry patches on areas such as hands, elbows, heels or lips, particularly where a richer barrier-style product is preferred. It is more of a protective jelly than a traditional cream, so it may be useful alongside, rather than instead of, a lighter everyday moisturiser.
Pros:
✔️ Fragrance-free, which may suit sensitive skin
✔️ Helps lock in moisture and protect dry areas
✔️ Can be used on the body, face and lips
✔️ Useful for very dry patches, such as heels, elbows or hands
✔️ Small tub is easy to keep beside a bed, chair or bathroom sink
Cons:
❌ Greasier texture than a cream, so may not suit everyone
❌ Tub packaging may be harder to use hygienically if several people are applying it
❌ Can make hands, baths, showers and floors slippery after use
❌ Petroleum-based products can be flammable if they build up on clothing, towels or bedding
🏆 Best for: Elderly parents who need a fragrance-free barrier product for small areas of very dry or cracked-feeling skin.
Which Emollient Cream Might Suit Your Parent?
Choosing the right emollient depends on your parent’s skin, their routine and how easy the packaging is for them to use.
🏅 For a soap substitute option: Zeroderma Zerobase – helpful where ordinary washing products make skin feel dry.
🧴 For everyday familiarity: E45 Moisturiser – a recognisable all-round cream for body, face and hands.
🚿 For pump convenience: KIPOZI Cetraben Emollient Cream Pump Dispenser Triple Pack – useful where carers are helping or hygiene is a priority.
🛡️ For very dry patches: Vaseline Original Pure Petroleum Jelly – a fragrance-free barrier option for smaller areas such as lips, hands, elbows or heels.
A carefully chosen emollient can make daily skin care easier for both you and your parent. It can help build a calm routine around washing, dressing and bedtime, while reducing some of the discomfort that dry skin can bring.
If you’ve found an emollient cream, pump dispenser or skincare product that’s worked particularly well for your elderly parent, we’d love to hear about it. Sharing these suggestions helps other carers make confident, informed choices. Get in touch with us at hello@carents.co.uk and let us know which products have made life easier for you.
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