I used Aqueous cream as a moisturiser for years, until I heard that it can cause thinning of the skin! Here is an extract from the Gov.UK report:
"An audit of 100 children attending a paediatric dermatology clinic reported that aqueous cream emollient was associated with an immediate skin reaction (stinging, burning, itching, and redness) within 20 minutes in 56% of exposures, compared with 18% with other emollients used
1. Furthermore, several studies reported alterations in skin physiology (thinning of the outermost layer of the skin and increased skin water loss) following application of aqueous cream as an emollient in adults, both with and without eczema
23. A summary of all the evidence reviewed is available in our
public assessment report."
The following article from the Daily Mail points out that Aqueous cream actually contains detergent because it is intended to be used for washing rather than left on the skin as a moisturiser.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1254715/Eczema-cream-making-skin-worse.html
My GP gave me ZeroAqs cream as a replacement. I also use E45. Perhaps my favourite is Aveeno, but that is more expensive.