FAQ

QV Skincare products available in the UK (QV Body) are vegan friendly - they do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.

None of the products in our QV Range contain any steroids. QV Skincare is a brand dedicated to creating skincare that is suitable to sensitive skin types.

Steroid creams are generally used as a topical treatment for inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. If you suspect that you have an inflammatory skin condition that requires steroids, we highly recommend consulting your medical professional about your skin.

Our QV Cream contains less than 0.5% parabens. In Australia, where QV Skincare is manufactured, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) allows a maximum concentration of 1% parabens in therapeutic products while the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) allow a maximum concentration of 0.8% parabens in cosmetic products. 

An occludent is a type of moisturising agent/ingredient. Its function is to form a barrier on the skin to help restrict moisture loss, trapping the moisture in the skin’s top layer. An example of an occludent is petrolatum.

Emollients (also known as moisturisers) are very important for promoting and maintaining healthy skin and for managing dry, itchy, flaky, and cracked skin. Emollients can be either water- or oil-based products that trap natural moisture in the skin and simply soften, smooth and rehydrate dry skin and can help to decrease the unpleasant sensations associated with itching. Emollients come in different formulations including cleansing products and leave-on products and are generally, considered effective and safe.

QV Skin Lotion is light and easy to apply all over the body. It helps to repair dry skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth and provides 24 hour moisturisatiion from one application. While QV Cream is highly concentrated formula that contains 3 types of moisturisers to help soothe and replenish dry and sensitive skin. Fast acting, long lasting and proven to moisturise dry skin for 24 hours. It keeps your skin feeling smooth and protected all day. Especially suitable for winter use.

The QV Bath Oil formulation contains a surfactant ingredient that allows for the oil to be solubilised in water, rather than forming a layer on top of water, as is the nature of oils. Concentrated surfactants can cause skin irritation, which is why QV Bath Oil must be either diluted for use in a bath or, if applied neat to the skin, rinsed off in the shower. The product is not suitable for applying directly to the skin as a leave on moisturiser.

QV Intensive products are free of color, fragrance, soap and preservatives with low irritant formulas. This makes them suitable for people with extremely dry, sensitive, itchy skin and those who suffer from dry skin conditions such as eczema. QV Intensive Ointment is a highly emollient moisturising balm to help relieve, soothe and protect extremly dry skin. It is water-free, so it won't sting when applied to cracked skin. proven to moisturise the skin for 24 hours.

Ego dermatologically tests its products for skin sensitivity and irritancy on human subjects according to a strict patch testing protocol.

We don't use nut derived ingredients in any of the products that we manufacture, so there is no risk of even trace amounts of nuts in our products. Apart from this, all Ego products are manufactured to pharmaceutical standards under the strict guidelines of good manufacturing practice (GMP), which involves strict cleaning protocols in between product batches.

Ego’s product packaging is approximately 85% recyclable. We choose environmentally sound packaging for our products and minimise additional packaging such as shrink wrapping. Ego Pharmaceuticals is a signatory of the Australian National Packaging Covenant and is committed to reducing waste wherever possible. QV Bottles can be recyled as normal, the only part you cannot recycle is the pump.

Dry skin typically has a rough texture, appears scaly, and is prone to forming shallow cracks. Unlike healthy skin, it lacks moisture and might appear dull and flaky. It can also feel itchy and uncomfortable and may lead to the development of other skin conditions, such as dermatitis and eczema.

Dry skin needs adequate hydration. Moisturisers like QV Cream and QV Skin Lotion can assist by rehydrating skin cells, reducing water loss, and smoothing the rough texture.

Dry skin can be caused by using strong soaps and detergents, taking hot baths or showers, sun exposure, and staying in dry, cold, or low-humidity climates.

To ease dry skin symptoms, consider using an emollient bath additive such as QV Bath Oil. Choose a soap-free cleanser as soap can dry your skin further. You should also choose a gentle moisturiser like QV Cream or QV Skin Lotion that doesn't have potential irritants such as colour, fragrance, and lanolin, and apply it generously all over your body, paying extra attention to areas that need more care.

Eczema can manifest as itching, redness, scaling, and dryness on the skin. However, specific symptoms can vary widely among individuals. It's important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis if you suspect you have eczema or any skin condition.

The cause of eczema remains unknown, but most types are believed to be a combination of genetic factors and certain triggers. These triggers, like certain foods, stress, animals, dust, heat, or certain soaps and detergents, can lead to flare-ups. Identifying and reducing exposure to these triggers is crucial in managing eczema.

When choosing skincare products, avoid irritants like fragrances, alcohol, and harsh chemicals. Opt for moisturisers rich in glycerol to maintain skin moisture and support the skin barrier. Use gentle cleansers that don’t contain soap, which can strip the skin of its natural oils.

QV products are free from irritants and fragrances, and they contain glycerol to assist in retaining skin moisture and support the skin barrier function.

Some people may have eczema on and off for their entire lives, while others, especially children, may grow out of it before reaching secondary school age. The persistence of eczema varies among individuals; however, effective management is possible by using products free from irritants and containing emollients like QV products.

Experts recommend a daily routine involving emollient use, especially for children with atopic eczema. This routine includes applying moisturising creams like QV every day. It's also important to cleanse the face, hands, and body with a soap-free, hydrating cleanser such as QV Gentle Wash and then apply a moisturiser like QV Cream or QV Skin Lotion immediately afterward. For particularly sensitive or sore skin, using a water-free product like QV Intensive Ointment, which is sting-free, can be beneficial. This can be left on the skin overnight, especially when wet-wrapping children (putting emollients on under bandages or nightclothes). If eczema flares up and becomes painful, or if there's uncertainty about infection, consulting a healthcare professional for proper management is advisable.

Absolutely, moisturisation is crucial for managing eczema effectively. The use of emollients daily, especially for children with atopic eczema, proves highly beneficial. This means applying moisturising creams like QV every day as part of your daily skincare routine. But, it's important to be cautious with the choice of moisturisers. Many cosmetic moisturisers contain ingredients like fragrance, lanolin, and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), which can potentially irritate sensitive skin and increase water loss. However, products like QV Skin Lotion, QV Intensive Ointment, and QV Cream are formulated without lanolin or propylene glycol, making them more suitable for individuals dealing with eczema.

You can apply QV Cream to affected areas as often as required, particularly after washing, bathing, showering, shaving, exposure to harsh climatic conditions, and at night.

Absolutely! QV Cream is designed to be suitable for skin conditions like eczema because It's free from potential irritants such as perfume, lanolin, and propylene glycol, which can aggravate sensitive skin like that affected by eczema. Moreover, the cream's hydrating and emollient properties help relieve dry skin, a common symptom associated with eczema.

QV Cream is a highly concentrated moisturising cream for dry skin. Rich in Squalane, a natural component found in the skin’s oil, which helps strengthen the skin barrier. It also contains glycerol, which is a naturally occurring humectant that helps skin to retain moisture.

No, none of QV Skincare products contain steroids. Steroid creams are often used to address inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. If you suspect that you have an inflammatory skin condition that requires steroids, it's crucial to seek advice from a healthcare professional.

To use QV Bath Oil in a bath for adults, add 10mL of the bath oil (equivalent to two capfuls) to the bath water and soak for 5 to 10 minutes. For a baby's bath, use 5mL (one capful) and bathe for the same duration. After bathing, pat the skin dry gently.

For shower use, apply the oil onto wet skin, rub it gently, leave it on for a few minutes, then briefly rinse before patting the skin dry.

QV Intensive Ointment has five active ingredients that provide deep moisturisation for extremely dry skin. It's meant to protect and soothe dry and sore skin, promoting the healing process.  It’s also water free so it won’t sting when applied to inflamed or cracked skin. It’s free from fragrance, colour, and lanolin, making it suitable for sensitive skin types.

For large areas of skin, a light lotion like QV Skin Lotion is a great option, since it spreads easily and is readily absorbed. For frequent use or dry-prone spots like hands or elbows, try the concentrated, long-lasting hydration of QV Cream. For extremely dry, cracked skin, use QV Intensive Ointment—a highly emollient balm that’s water-free so it won’t sting sensitive or irritated areas of skin.

Yes, QV Skin Lotion is suitable for sensitive skin because it's gentle, pH balanced, and free from common irritants like fragrances, lanolin, and propylene glycol, which can trigger reactions in sensitive skin types. 

Yes, QV Gentle Wash is formulated to be gentle on every skin condition including eczema-prone skin. Its soap-free and fragrance-free formula helps cleanse without stripping away natural oils. It’s enriched with 15% glycerine for increased skin hydration, making it suitable for managing conditions like eczema.

Yes, you can use QV Gentle Wash to cleanse your hair if you have dry or sensitive scalps.

Yes, QV Gentle Wash is suitable for the entire body and mild enough for the face.

No, QV Gentle Wash is specifically formulated to maintain skin hydration during cleansing, leaving the skin clean, soft, and moisturised, as it contains 15% glycerine for increased skin hydration, preventing any drying effects commonly associated with regular soaps or cleansers.

No, QV moisturisers are not water-based. They are free from sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which may increase water loss and cause thinning in healthy skin. Additionally, they are formulated with glycerol, a natural humectant that helps skin retain moisture and support the skin barrier.

Parabens are commonly used as preservatives in skincare and considered safe at low levels by regulatory authorities. However, QV skincare range offers paraben-free products like QV Bath Oil and QV Intensive Ointment.

Moisturisers and lotions are similar in their purpose to hydrate and nourish the skin, but they can differ in their consistency and intensity. Generally, moisturisers tend to be thicker and provide deep hydration, often used for dry or very dry skin, like QV Cream. On the other hand, lotions like QV Skin Lotion, are lighter and ideal for regular or mildly dry skin, offering a non-greasy feel. The choice between the two often depends on personal skin needs and preferences.

We often use "emollient" and "moisturiser" interchangeably to describe creams or ointments that make skin soft and hydrated. But actually, emollients are just a type of ingredient in moisturisers that give these benefits. Some common emollients include Light liquid paraffin (or Paraffinum Liquidum), Squalene, Dimethicone, Safflower oil, which are found in QV products.

Our skin's outer layer needs 20-30% water to work well. If it lacks water, skin cells dry out, causing small cracks to open up in the skin. This makes skin look dry, dull, and flaky, weakening its guard against irritants, allergens, and pathogens.

Emollients can help by filling the spaces between cracks and smoothing rough and flaky skin. They create a barrier that stops water from escaping, keeping skin from drying out more. Emollients can also help reduce itch, which often goes hand in hand with dryness.

Use a generous amount of emollient, covering the entire body or affected areas. Apply on average 3 times a day, especially after bathing.

You should look for emollients with rich moisturising ingredients, also look for thicker ointments as they tend to be more effective for severe eczema and provide a stronger barrier. But avoid emollients that contain fragrances and irritants.

Consider QV Intensive Ointment, a highly emollient balm that’s water-free so it won’t sting sensitive or irritated areas of skin.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Known to increase water loss and potentially cause thinning of healthy skin. 

Soap: It can dry out the skin by stripping away natural oils. 

Fragrance: Commonly found in various skincare products, which can irritate sensitive skin.

Lanolin: While an effective moisturiser, it can be mildly comedogenic, potentially blocking pores, which might not be suitable for sensitive skin. 

QV products are dermatologically tested, and free from soap, SLS, fragrance, and Lanolin, which makes them ideal for sensitive skin and dry skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.

Your skin is the body's largest organ and acts as a protective barrier against the environment. A proper skincare routine is important to safeguard this protective barrier, ensuring your skin remains clean, hydrated and replenished.

You can use QV skincare range, which consists of dermatologically tested cleansers and moisturisers suitable for every skin type.

For healthy-looking skin, It's important to cleanse with a soap-free, hydrating cleanser that doesn’t dry out the skin such as QV Gentle Wash, and then apply a moisturiser like QV Cream or QV Skin Lotion immediately afterward to protect and replenish the skin.

When choosing a cleanser for dry skin, look for soap-free cleansers that don’t contain potential irritants like colour, fragrance, or lanolin, like QV Gentle Wash, which is designed to cleanse and rehydrate dry or sensitive skin. It also contains 15% glycerin to help reduce the drying effect of cleansing.

For an even gentler cleansing option in the bath, try QV Bath Oil, which is designed to leave a moisturising film on the skin, smoothing and softening dry skin.