How to Use QICAOGANGMU Cream: Step-by-Step Application, Amounts and Safety Tips
Product guide
To use QICAOGANGMU, clean and gently dry the itchy area, then apply a thin, even layer once or twice a day, or as directed on the pack. A small amount goes a long way: one fingertip of cream covers an area about the size of two adult palms. You should feel a cooling sensation within minutes as menthol and borneol activate the skin's cold receptors.
- Apply a thin layer to clean, dry or slightly damp skin, once or twice a day.
- Test a small area first when you start any new skin product.
- Keep using it on dry, itch-prone areas between flares; regular moisturising helps delay the next flare.
- External use only. Keep it away from the eyes, and do not apply to open wounds.
How do you apply QICAOGANGMU step by step?
- Wash your hands.
- Clean the area gently with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser if needed. Pat dry; do not rub.
- Squeeze out a small amount onto your fingertip.
- Spread a thin, even layer over the itchy or dry area and massage lightly until absorbed.
- Wash your hands again afterwards, unless you are treating your hands.
- Replace the cap and store the tube in a cool, dry place.
Tip: applying within a few minutes of a lukewarm shower, while the skin is still slightly damp, helps the moisturising base of glycerin and petrolatum lock in water.
How much QICAOGANGMU should you apply?
Dermatologists measure creams in fingertip units: one fingertip unit is the line of cream squeezed from the tip of an adult index finger to the first crease, and it covers roughly 286 cm², about the size of two adult palms (Long and Finlay, 1991). For a thin layer of QICAOGANGMU, as a rough guide:
| Area | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| A patch the size of your palm | Half a fingertip |
| One hand (both sides) | About one fingertip |
| Face and neck | Use less than for the body; a thin film only, avoiding the eyes |
| Behind the knees or inside the elbows | Half to one fingertip per area |
More cream is not more effective. A thin layer absorbs better and feels more comfortable.
How often should you use QICAOGANGMU?
Most people apply it once or twice a day, for example after a morning shower and before bed, or as directed on the pack. Many people also reapply when itch flares, such as after sweating. Once the skin settles, continuing to apply it to dry, itch-prone areas helps keep them comfortable: in a Cochrane review of 77 trials, regular moisturising reduced eczema flares and prolonged the time to the next flare (van Zuuren et al., 2017).
Can you use QICAOGANGMU with moisturiser or other creams?
- With a moisturiser: apply QICAOGANGMU to the itchy area first, then use your usual fragrance-free moisturiser on surrounding dry skin.
- With prescription creams: use them at different times of day, or ask your doctor or pharmacist how to combine them on the same area.
- With sunscreen or make-up: let QICAOGANGMU absorb for a few minutes first.
If you are reducing a prescribed steroid cream, do this with your doctor's advice. Read more about QICAOGANGMU vs steroid creams.
How do you use it on different parts of the body?
| Area | How to use |
|---|---|
| Arms, legs, body | Thin layer once or twice a day |
| Face and neck | Very thin layer; avoid the eyes, eyelids and lips |
| Skin folds (under the breasts, groin, armpits) | Make sure the skin is completely dry first; apply thinly |
| Hands | Reapply after handwashing; cotton gloves overnight can help |
| Feet | Dry well between the toes before applying |
| Around the anus | Clean, dry outer skin only; never inside |
| Hairline and behind the ears | Part the hair and apply to the itchy patch only |
Area-specific guides: skin folds, perianal itching, blisters on hands and feet and scalp and hairline.
What should you feel after applying it?
Most people notice a cooling or light tingling feeling within minutes. This comes from menthol 0.5% and borneol 2%, which activate TRPM8, the skin's cold-sensing receptor. Activating this receptor reduced itch in people with atopic dermatitis in a real-life study (Misery et al., 2019), and borneol relieved pain better than placebo in a 122-patient randomised trial (Wang et al., 2017). With regular use, the moisturising base and the herbs She Chuang Zi and Ku Shen support ongoing skin comfort. See what real users report.
Ready to start your routine? QICAOGANGMU is steroid-free, tested by TÜV SÜD PSB and backed by a 100-day money-back guarantee. Rated 4.5 to 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon. See the formula
What safety tips should you follow?
- Test first. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests trying a new skin product on a small area twice a day for 7 to 10 days before wider use (AAD).
- Normal: a cooling or mild tingling feeling that fades.
- Stop and rinse off if you notice burning that persists, increasing redness, swelling or a new rash.
- Avoid the eyes, inside the mouth, nose or anus, and open or weeping wounds.
- Children, pregnancy and breastfeeding: follow the label and ask a doctor or pharmacist first.
- See a doctor for spreading redness, pus, fever, or a rash that is not improving.
Full details: QICAOGANGMU side effects and safety.
Where QICAOGANGMU fits
QICAOGANGMU Steroid-Free Herbal Cream
4.7/5 (243 ratings) and 4.5/5 (666 ratings) on Amazon. Read reviews
She Chuang Zi 3%, Bing Pian (borneol) 2%, Ku Shen 1.5%, Bai Bu 0.5% and menthol 0.5% in a moisturising glycerin and petrolatum base. Steroid-free and independently tested by TÜV SÜD PSB, with Not Detected results for eight corticosteroids.
- Steroid-free: TÜV SÜD PSB found none of 8 corticosteroids (lab reports)
- Fully declared formula: every active ingredient and its percentage on the label
- 100-day money-back guarantee
- US shipping in 2 to 6 business days, free over US$20
Patch test on a small area first, use a thin layer on intact skin and avoid the eyes, lips and genitals. Side effects and safety · Product details
Frequently asked questions
How often should I apply QICAOGANGMU?
Most people apply a thin layer once or twice a day, or as directed on the pack, and reapply when itch flares. Keep using it on dry, itch-prone areas between flares.
How much QICAOGANGMU should I use?
A thin layer is enough. One fingertip of cream covers an area about the size of two adult palms; a palm-sized patch needs about half a fingertip.
Why does QICAOGANGMU feel cold?
Menthol and borneol activate TRPM8, the skin's cold-sensing receptor. The cooling or mild tingling feeling is normal and usually fades within minutes.
Can I use QICAOGANGMU on my face?
Yes, as a very thin layer, keeping it away from the eyes, eyelids and lips. Test a small area first, as facial skin is more sensitive.
Can I use QICAOGANGMU with a moisturiser or steroid cream?
Yes. Apply QICAOGANGMU to the itchy area and your moisturiser to surrounding dry skin. If you use a prescription cream, apply them at different times or ask your pharmacist how to combine them.
Related articles
References
- Long CC, Finlay AY. The finger-tip unit: a new practical measure. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1991;16(6):444-447. PMID 1806320
- van Zuuren EJ, Fedorowicz Z, Christensen R, et al. Emollients and moisturisers for eczema. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2:CD012119. PMID 28166390
- Misery L, Santerre A, Batardière A, et al. Real-life study of anti-itching effects of a cream containing menthoxypropanediol, a TRPM8 agonist, in atopic dermatitis patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33(2):e67-e69. PMID 30067875
- Wang S, Zhang D, Hu J, et al. A clinical and mechanistic study of topical borneol-induced analgesia. EMBO Mol Med. 2017;9(6):802-815. PMID 28396565
- American Academy of Dermatology. How to test skin care products.
Product information. Always follow the directions on the current pack. Persistent or severe skin conditions should be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional.
