Doublebase Gel

Doublebase.

I have been using double base emollient for about 2 years now following a rather disastrous experience due to the over use of Alcohol gels and the use of latex gloves which I had to use in my job and I have now built up an intolerance to latex and alcohol. (Thankfully not the drinking kind).

The alcohol gel dried out the skin on my hands so much so that despite moisturising my hands they used to dry out overnight to the point whereby they used to contract over night and I could not open them in the morning without the skin cracking and being very sore. My hands were like the hide of an elephant. I had to refrain from clinical practice as they were likely to become infected had I not done so. Bearing in mind as a minimum I must wash my hands at least 50 times a day so you can imagine how dry my skin has become.

After seeing a dermatologist he recommended that I used doublebase to moisturise my hands to keep them supple and the skin well hydrated. I had been buying a small tube from a pharmacy after a colleague recommended it which seemed to help but now I obtain a supply each month on prescription due to other moisturisers not being as effective.
==Disaster.==

I had forgotten not to use the alcohol gel on only one occasion last year and my hands just peeled with the whole of my hands looking like the singing detective in the television series!

So what is doublebase I hear you ask?

Double base is a thick emollient gel cream which helps to keep the skin moisturised and also protects the skin from drying out by forming a barrier on the top of my skin. It is a white thick gel which when dispensed has to be rubbed into the skin so that it moisturises and forms a barrier to prevent my hands from drying out. Being slightly thicker than the normal hand creams it takes a little longer to rub into the skin but once it is rubbed in you can clearly see the difference. It is also quite durable and long lasting. Not only can you use it as a hand or body cream you can also use it to wash, bathe or for taking a shower.

Size and Cost.

The sizes vary from 100ml tubes which are handy to carry around with you when you are on the move. The larger sized container is a 500ml dispenser which has a nozzle through which the doublebase is dispensed. You can control the amount you use as a little goes a long way. On average I get through 500mls per month of daily use. Whilst I would not say my hands are as soft as a babies but they are certainly in much better condition than they were.

It is quite expensive to buy but I think it is well worth the money as it has proved its worth and effectiveness. 100ml tube can be bought on Amazon for £4 or the 500ml dispensing bottle can be had for as low as £8 but more in the region of £10 a bottle. You can buy the tubes from a pharmacy but not the 500ml dispensing bottles which are only available on prescription.

Ingredients.

The active ingredients of isopropyl myristate 15% and liquid paraffin 15%. The other ingredients are glycerol, carbomer, sorbitan laurate, triethanolamine, pheoxyethanol and purified water. There are no fragrances in the product or dyes which in themselves can cause irritation.

Anyone who is allergic to any of the ingredients should obviously avoid using it. Generally it is quite safe to use and there are few side effects. Some people may develop rashes but it is quite rare.

I thoroughly recommend doublebase as it is a very effective long lasting moisturiser emollient.