MOISTURISING cream developed by skincare specialists at Salisbury District Hospital has gone on sale nationwide.

The My Trusty range includes Sunflower body lotion, hand cream, body butter and face moisturiser with all profits going straight back into the NHS.

Its products first went on sale to the public in the Salisbury area in 2013, having been developed more than 20 years ago to help patients recovering from burns or plastic surgery.

Now they are available from Tesco, Superdrug, independent pharmacies and health and wholefood stores nationwide with other chains also looking to stock it.

It is the first NHS skincare range that is available in highstreet shops.

Hospital finance director Malcolm Cassells said: “The brand has grown steadily year on year and we’re thrilled to be taking the next step into nationwide distribution, giving everyone the opportunity to not only buy a truly effective skincare range with years of NHS expertise behind it, but to also give something back to the NHS.

“To support this new launch into Superdrug and Tesco, we have embarked on an intensive PR campaign, highlighting not only the benefits to skin from using the range but also My Trusty’s NHS heritage.”

The products, which are available as a fragrance free and an essential oil scented range, contain no parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or artificial perfumes.

As part of the PR campaign, the products have appeared on beauty pages in national newspapers and the trust hopes the range will generate much-needed income for the hospital.

Mr Cassells said the trust had sent out 300 tins containing the products to editors of key magazines and other influential people, including a number of celebrities.

Skincare scientists at SDH developed and tested the My Trusty range to provide better care for skin after becoming dissatisfied with the products that were generally available.

Clinical scientist Mark Brewin said: “The linoleic acid found in sunflower oil is an ideal skin moisturiser. In addition to its intense moisturising properties, it has a low viscosity which means it doesn’t clog the pores. Our users have reported significant benefits on problematic skin conditions.”