QV Cream is Australia's most trusted pharmacy moisturiser. It was designed for healthy skin.
QV has been recommended by Australian pharmacists and dermatologists for decades. It earns that trust. Understanding who it was designed for clarifies when it is not enough.
Why QV is trusted
QV Cream from Hamilton Laboratories is an Australian institution. Made in South Australia. Fragrance-free. pH-balanced. Recommended by Australian pharmacists, dermatologists, and hospital skin care protocols for decades. QV Wash is named in radiation oncology protocols at Australian hospitals. For general dry and sensitive skin, QV is a well-founded choice.
This is not a case against QV. It is an explanation of what it was built for.
What QV is designed for
QV Cream uses glycerine, white soft paraffin, and light liquid paraffin. It is an emollient moisturiser that reduces water loss and softens the skin surface. It works well for eczema-prone skin, general dryness, and skin that is sensitive or easily irritated.
QV was not formulated for skin that has lost sebum fatty acid production due to radiation, diabetes, or aging. It was formulated for skin that is generally dry or reactive and needs a gentle, non-irritating daily moisturiser. For many people, QV is the right product. For people whose skin dryness has a specific clinical cause, QV addresses the symptom without addressing the cause.
The sebum difference
When the skin's oil glands are disrupted or depleted, the barrier loses something QV does not replace: palmitoleic acid. This omega-7 fatty acid is a component of sebum and forms part of the skin's natural lipid film. Radiation, diabetes, and aging all reduce sebum production through different mechanisms but with the same result.
Adding emollients to the surface helps with the downstream symptom of dryness. It does not restore the fatty acid that is no longer being produced by the glands.
Macadamia oil contains 17-22% palmitoleic acid. Mac Pure products are formulated around macadamia oil specifically because of this concentration. No other plant oil in mainstream skincare provides it at this level. The aim is to supplement what depleted skin can no longer produce itself.
Side by side
| Feature | Mac Pure Calm+ | QV Cream |
|---|---|---|
| Fragrance-free | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Palmitoleic acid (omega-7) | ✓ 17-22% (macadamia oil) | None |
| Suitable for radiation-affected skin | ✓ Yes, formulated for it | General dry skin use (QV Wash named in some protocols) |
| Suitable for diabetic skin | ✓ Yes, formulated for it | General dry skin use |
| Suitable for aging/mature skin | ✓ Yes, formulated for it | General dry skin use |
| Australian made | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes (South Australia) |
| Mechanism | Sebum fatty acid replacement | Humectant + emollient (paraffin-based) |
QV is the default for dry skin. Calm+ is for skin that needs more than the default.
Mac Pure Calm+ is formulated to suit skin where dryness has a specific clinical cause. Fragrance-free, Australian-made, and available in 250ml and 500ml.
Shop Calm+ from $29.95 View all productsMac Pure products are cosmetics, not therapeutic goods. They are not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your treating clinician regarding skin care.