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CGR-BP-002 / EDITION 10.0

Aqueous Cream

Cream · United Kingdom · BP

2026-10-14Reference monograph · Local adoption

Collection and scientific editing: Stasinos Chr. SikaliasContent edition: 10.0Record editorial review date: 2026-10-14

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Final editorial decision

The wax prerequisite is fulfilled by an accepted lot of supplier-qualified pharmacopoeial anionic wax matched to the reference composition. In-house wax manufacture is not necessary to implement this monograph. The 35-day figure remains a conditional general ceiling, not experimental stability or an assigned batch BUD. Phenoxyethanol 1% w/w: justify suitability in the final formulation and container. MHRA reports irritation with SLS-containing aqueous cream, especially in children and leave-on use. Apply the shortest supported limit, including the remaining BUD of any compounded base.

Required evidence

  • Defined and approved supplier grade of anionic BP wax, with routine acceptance of the actual lot; accepted other ingredients and the exact reference formula/process.
  • Justified finished-form category, defined container/storage, homogeneity and source-specific QC. For a preserved aqueous form, justify preservative suitability at the final pH and in the complete composition.
  • For a compounded base, record its actual preparation date, release and remaining BUD. The new final mixture does not reset the base dating clock.
  • Assess phenoxyethanol suitability in the final composition. Retain MHRA advice on possible irritation with SLS-containing aqueous cream, especially in children and leave-on use.

Closure criteria

  • Close the research dependency on in-house wax by explicitly adopting the defined purchased pharmacopoeial grade. Incoming acceptance remains a routine requirement of actual compounding.
  • Actual release requires the completed batch record, acceptable applicable QC and a signed BUD assessment applying the shortest supported limit.
  • Do not apply a numerical default unless its category, compatible temperature and formulation suitability are supported. A new specific study is needed for extension or an unresolved physical/chemical concern, not merely to present a conditional default.

Scope

Final editorial decision dated 14 October 2026. This is not a certificate of laboratory results or actual batch release.

Sources and references

  1. USP General Chapter <795> FAQs, November 1 2023Questions 52, 60, 61, 62, 63; printed pp.11,14
  2. VVF manufacturer: Emulsifying WaxesProduct table: Vegarol EW 200; compare EW 100 and EW 300
  3. Croda Pharma manufacturer: Crodex A pharmaProduct description and pharmacopoeia compliance
  4. British Pharmacopoeia: Content Usage Licence for Individual UsersSections1,4 and5
  5. MHRA — Aqueous cream: may cause skin irritationAdvice for healthcare professionals

REFERENCE FORMULA

Reference formula

Reference basis: 1000 g

IngredientSource quantityScaled quantity
Emulsifying ointment BP300 g—
Phenoxyethanol10 g—
Freshly boiled and cooled purified waterq.s. ad 1000 g—

Prerequisite formulations

Documentation

Preparation description
Cream: Aqueous Cream. Additional appearance criteria are not established by the specific text reviewed. [1]
Action and use
Emollient cream and potential diluent for other semisolids, after compatibility confirmation. [1], [6]
Specifications
General monograph for topical semi-solids. [1]
Light
Finished-product photostability is not specified. Any required container light protection is stated under Storage. [1]
Air and oxidation
No oxidative stability study of the finished mixture or inert-atmosphere requirement is provided. Use the source container. [1]
Water and solubility
Phenoxyethanol: water solubility 25 g/L at 20 °C, pH 7. Its phase distribution in a cream cannot be inferred solely from total concentration.
Component of base CGR-BP-014: White Petrolatum: JP classifies the corresponding pure raw material as practically insoluble in water.
Component of base CGR-BP-014: Liquid Paraffin: JP classifies the corresponding pure raw material as practically insoluble in water. [3], [8], [9], [10]
Humidity
No numerical relative-humidity limit is given for the finished product. Prevent raw-material wetting and condensation entering the container. [1]
Temperature
Phenoxyethanol raw material: SCCS reports a flash point of 126 °C and boiling point of 244.3 °C; these do not set the cream’s storage temperature. [3]
pH and compatibility
No finished-product pH range is specified. Do not add a pH adjuster without a supported formula change. [1]
Other interactions
Phenoxyethanol reacts with strong oxidants. [4]
Ingredient-specific information
Phenoxyethanol (CAS 122-99-6): colourless oily liquid; relative density 1.11 at 20 °C, log Pow 1.2; water solubility 25 g/L at 20 °C and pH 7.
Phenoxyethanol in this formula: total 1% w/w. Concentration alone is not a preservative-effectiveness test.
Component of base CGR-BP-014: White Petrolatum: raw-material water solubility is classified as practically insoluble by JP.
Component of base CGR-BP-014: Liquid Paraffin: raw-material water solubility is classified as practically insoluble by JP.
Component of base CGR-BP-015: Sodium lauryl sulfate: JP describes a clear or opalescent solution of 1 g in 10 mL water. [1], [3], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12]
Staff protection
Phenoxyethanol: protective gloves, clothing and safety goggles; ventilation and prevention of mist generation.
Clean long-sleeved laboratory clothing, hair covering and gloves during handling; change gloves after contamination or damage. [1], [2], [4], [5]
Risk assessment
Phenoxyethanol can be absorbed through skin and may irritate eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
The emulsifying base contains sodium lauryl sulfate. MHRA reports stinging, burning and irritation with aqueous cream, particularly in children and leave-on use.
Reference batch: 1000 g. First ingredient: Emulsifying ointment BP, 300 g. Independently check chemical form, units and every scale conversion before weighing.
Check addition order, phase-temperature difference and uniformity after cooling. Phase separation can alter local strength and preservative partitioning; do not repair it arbitrarily with water or emulsifier.
For the local assessment record quantity per preparation, work frequency, duration of open handling, potential exposure routes and effectiveness of controls. These are assessment inputs; no fictitious final risk score is assigned.
For this procedure’s heating stage, check thermometer, heating method, duration and prevention of overheating/solvent loss. Completion of mixing does not establish cooling or complete homogenisation.
Release checkpoint: inspect aggregates, crystals, local texture differences and free liquid after completing the method. Record mixing geometry, batch size and actual temperatures; copying rpm to another mixer does not establish process equivalence.
Contains cetostearyl or cetyl alcohol, which can cause local skin reactions; include components of the selected base in the assessment. [1], [4], [6], [14], [16], [18]
Compounding conditions
Before mixing: verify each ingredient’s chemical form and lot, record theoretical amounts and check equipment cleanliness. Follow the temperatures and addition sequence in the procedure below. [1], [5]
BUD rationale
The wax prerequisite is fulfilled by an accepted lot of supplier-qualified pharmacopoeial anionic wax matched to the reference composition. In-house wax manufacture is not necessary to implement this monograph. The 35-day figure remains a conditional general ceiling, not experimental stability or an assigned batch BUD. Phenoxyethanol 1% w/w: justify suitability in the final formulation and container. MHRA reports irritation with SLS-containing aqueous cream, especially in children and leave-on use. Apply the shortest supported limit, including the remaining BUD of any compounded base. [6], [17], [19], [20], [21]
Prerequisites
Fulfil CGR-BP-015 through procurement of the defined pharmacopoeial anionic wax grade. If intermediate CGR-BP-014 is used, record its actual release and available dating. Source composition and other source dependencies are retained. [6], [17], [19], [20], [21]
Equipment
Balance with suitable minimum weight, mortar/pestle or homogeniser, mixing vessels, spatulas, thermometer for heated processes and volumetric equipment for mL quantities. [1]
Compounding method
Dissolve phenoxyethanol in water at about 60 °C to approximately 700 g solution. Melt the base and add the aqueous phase with both at about 60 °C. Stir gently during cooling and adjust to 1000 g. [1]
Observations
Confirm compatibility before use as a diluent. A preservative change requires supporting evidence and declaration. [1]
Container and packaging
Selection for local assessment: tight semisolid tube or jar with a suitable lining. Check cleanliness, integrity, closure and material compatibility before filling. The specific monograph does not validate a particular commercial container. [1]
Quality control
The specific monograph supplies no separate assay. Check starting-material identity/quality and the general pharmacopoeial dosage-form requirements referenced by the source.
Record the method, acceptance criterion, actual result and reviewer separately in F-005. A critical specification failure requires quarantine and investigation under SOP-015; retesting needs justification. [1], [16]
Storage

For a general-rule duration, also apply the temperature of the selected BUD category. The source does not support arbitrary temperature changes. [7]
Dispensing
Dispense with a clear route, strength and use-by date. Complete amount per application and frequency from the prescription.
Stop application if irritation occurs and assess an alternative emollient.
Contains cetostearyl or cetyl alcohol, which can cause local skin reactions; include components of the selected base in the assessment. [1], [6], [18]
Labelling
Aqueous Cream
External use
Quantity: ____ Batch: ____
Prepared: ____ Use by: ____
Patient / dose / frequency: ____
Storage:
Temperature for this batch BUD: ____
Contains cetostearyl or cetyl alcohol, which can cause local skin reactions; include components of the selected base in the assessment. [1], [18]
final_decision
The wax prerequisite is fulfilled by an accepted lot of supplier-qualified pharmacopoeial anionic wax matched to the reference composition. In-house wax manufacture is not necessary to implement this monograph. The 35-day figure remains a conditional general ceiling, not experimental stability or an assigned batch BUD. Phenoxyethanol 1% w/w: justify suitability in the final formulation and container. MHRA reports irritation with SLS-containing aqueous cream, especially in children and leave-on use. Apply the shortest supported limit, including the remaining BUD of any compounded base. [6], [17], [19], [20], [21]

Independent Greek/English adaptation and organisation of facts from the cited source. This is not an official translation or publisher endorsement.

Sources and references

  1. British Pharmacopoeia 2016 — Aqueous Cream2016PDF pp. 1–1; user-supplied BP extract; URL is publisher catalogue, not the licensed full monographmaster formula2026-09-10
  2. PN/L/PG/002/00 INDUMENTARIAΔιαθέσιμο κείμενο / Retrieved textPDF pp. 1–5general staff protection2026-09-10
  3. European Commission SCCS — Opinion on Phenoxyethanol, SCCS/1575/166 October 2016pp. 6–7; physicochemical dataingredient facts2026-09-12
  4. ILO/WHO — International Chemical Safety Card 0538: 2-PhenoxyethanolAugust 2003Hazards, prevention, physical/chemical propertiesingredient facts2026-09-12
  5. ASHP — USP <795> Key Changes2023pp. 1–3: scope, water activity and staff precautionsprofessional guidance; not the licensed USP chapter2026-09-12
  6. MHRA — Aqueous cream: may cause skin irritationMarch 2013 article, published 11 December 2014Sodium lauryl sulfate; leave-on useclinical safety2026-09-12
  7. Texas State Board of Pharmacy — adopted 22 TAC §291.131, nonsterile compoundingTexas Register, 7 June 2024Beyond-use dating: aw categories, 14/35/90/180 days, limits and extensionspublic regulatory implementation of USP <795> BUD framework; not Greek law2026-09-12
  8. MHLW — Japanese Pharmacopoeia XVIII: White PetrolatumJP XVIII, 2021; English textPrinted p. 1501; Description; Containers and storageraw-material monograph2026-09-12
  9. British Pharmacopoeia 2016 — Emulsifying Ointment2016PDF pp. 1–1; user-supplied BP extract; URL is publisher catalogue, not the licensed full monographmaster formula2026-09-10
  10. MHLW — Japanese Pharmacopoeia XVIII: Liquid ParaffinJP XVIII, 2021; English textPrinted p. 1477; Description; Containers and storageraw-material monograph2026-09-12
  11. MHLW — Japanese Pharmacopoeia XVIII: Sodium Lauryl SulfateJP XVIII, 2021; English textPrinted p. 1718; Description; Containers and storageraw-material monograph2026-09-12
  12. British Pharmacopoeia 2016 — Emulsifying Wax2016PDF pp. 1–2; user-supplied BP extract; URL is publisher catalogue, not the licensed full monographmaster formula2026-09-10
  13. Illinois IDFPR — Nonsterile Compounding Self-Inspection ReportPublic checklist, retrieved 12 September 2026pp. 15–16, Establishing beyond-use datesPublic regulatory implementation of USP <795>; not Greek law; general limits and requirements for extension2026-09-12
  14. NIOSH — Managing Hazardous Drug Exposures: Information for Healthcare Settings2023; DHHS (NIOSH) 2023-130Risk assessment; printed pp. 27–33, activity/formulation control tableWorkplace exposure, hierarchy of controls and activity-specific PPE; US government public-domain document2026-09-12
  15. USP — Compounding Standards and Beyond-Use Dates, 2022 updateNovember 2022, published by USP; public copy hosted by Mississippi Boardpp. 1–2; nonsterile tableRisk-based default categories; not product-specific stability or Greek law2026-09-12
  16. PIC/S — Guide to Good Practices for the Preparation of Medicinal Products in Healthcare EstablishmentsPE 010-4, 1 March 2014Chapters 1–9; Annex 2 (nonsterile liquids, creams, ointments)Professional quality-system framework; not automatic national legal adoption or certification2026-09-12
  17. USP — General Chapter <795> FAQsUpdated 1 November 2023Questions 52, 54–56, 60–62; PDF pp. 11–14Primary clarification of aw classification, extension prerequisites and compounded-component BUDs; not automatic Greek legal adoption2026-10-14
  18. EMA — Excipients in the labelling and package leaflet, Annex Revision 5Published 5 December 2025EN and EL worksheets: arachis oil, wool fat, cetostearyl/cetyl alcohol, chlorocresolCurrent primary excipient warnings; used as a scientific labelling reference, without claiming MAH obligations automatically apply to a compounded prescription2026-10-14
  19. VVF manufacturer: Emulsifying WaxesProduct table: Vegarol EW 200; compare EW 100 and EW 300Targeted prerequisite / publication decision; not batch result2026-10-14
  20. Croda Pharma manufacturer: Crodex A pharmaProduct description and pharmacopoeia complianceTargeted prerequisite / publication decision; not batch result2026-10-14
  21. British Pharmacopoeia: Content Usage Licence for Individual UsersSections1,4 and5Targeted prerequisite / publication decision; not batch result2026-10-14