Key Difference: The main difference between cream and ointment is that cream is used on the skin while ointment is used on the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Ointments are also thicker than creams and can be more difficult to spread.
Many people usually get confused between ointment and cream. A cream is a mixture of oil and water, while ointment contains more oil.
Ointments are used for external application on the skin, hair, or nails, while creams are used as an emulsion for internal use such as in medications or food.
Also, ointments are not stronger than creams. They are just thicker and more difficult to spread.
However, ointments usually last longer on the skin than creams. This is why they are often used for treating dry skin or eczema.
Generally, creams are preferred over ointments because they are easier to spread and less greasy.
Ointments can be more difficult to apply, and they often leave a greasy residue on the skin.
Creams are also more absorbent than ointments, so they are better for treating dry skin.
What is a cream?
Cream is an emulsion of water and oil that is used as a food additive, a cosmetic, or a pharmaceutical agent.
It is made by churning milk to form butter, then adding an equal volume of water to the butter. The two liquids are then mixed together and whipped into cream.
In cosmetics, cream is often used as a moisturizer or an emollient. It can also be used to add shine to the hair, reduce wrinkles, or improve the appearance of scars.
In pharmaceuticals, cream is used as a vehicle for drugs that are applied externally to the skin.
For beauty purposes, it is often recommended to use a cream instead of a lotion. Lotions are made with more water and less oil than creams, so they tend to be less moisturizing.
The terms “cream” and “ointment” are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinction between the two.
Creams are made with more water than ointments, which have a higher oil content.
Some common types of creams are skin cream, hand cream, body cream, and foot cream.
Each type of cream is used for a specific purpose. Skin cream is used to moisturize the skin, hand cream is used to moisturize and protect the hands, body cream is used to moisturize the entire body, and foot cream is used to moisturize and protect the feet.
What is an ointment?
An ointment is a thick, viscous preparation that is rubbed into the skin to relieve pain, inflammation, or itching.
It may contain one or more active ingredients, such as antibiotics, analgesics (pain relievers), or antihistamines.
Ointments are generally made from a combination of oil and water and are often greasy to the touch.
The main purpose of an ointment is to provide a barrier between the skin and the environment, which helps to protect the skin and keep it hydrated.
Ointments also help to improve the absorption of active ingredients into the skin.
In pharmaceuticals, ointments are also used to deliver medications through the skin.
For example, a topical antibiotic ointment can be applied to a wound to help it heal faster.
It is important to select an ointment base that will help the active ingredients in the ointment to be absorbed into the skin.
The ointment base is nothing but a mixture of oil and water. Oils that are commonly used as ointment bases include petrolatum, mineral oil, lanolin, and cocoa butter.
Common types of ointment include:
- Analgesic ointment: Contains a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Antibiotic ointment: Contains an antibiotic, such as bacitracin or neomycin
- Anti-inflammatory ointment: Contains a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Antihistamine ointment: Contains an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine
- Corticosteroid ointment: Contains a corticosteroid, such as hydrocortisone or dexamethasone
- Sunscreen ointment: Contains a sunscreen agent, such as oxybenzone or avobenzone.
Cream vs Ointment
One of the biggest differences between cream and ointment is that ointments are typically made of a higher concentration of oil than creams.
Ointments are also more viscous, which means they stay on the skin for longer.
For example, if you have a dry skin condition, an ointment may be more effective at providing long-term hydration than a cream.
Creams are also better for treating oily skin conditions because they contain less oil.
In the case of Eczema, which is a skin condition that results in dry, cracked, and inflamed skin, an ointment may be more effective at providing relief than a cream.
This is because ointments are better at trapping moisture on the skin.
The amount of oil in an ointment can also help to soothe and protect the skin from further irritation.
However, ointments can be more greasy and difficult to apply than creams.
Let’s take a look at an example.
Say you have a burn on your hand. You would want to use an ointment because it would be more effective at trapping moisture on the skin and providing relief from the pain.
On the other hand, if you have a sunburn, you would want to use a cream because it would be more effective at cooling the skin.
Main Differences
Important differences between a cream and an ointment include –
Purpose
One of the key differences between cream and ointment is the purpose for which they are used.
Creams are generally used as a moisturizer, whereas ointments are typically used to treat skin conditions or protect wounds.
Best example: a cream to keep skin hydrated and an ointment to heal a cut.
It’s important to consult with a doctor to see which product is best for your specific needs.
Texture
Creams generally have a thinner, more liquid texture than ointments.
This is because ointments contain more oil and wax, which makes them thicker and stickier.
This is another major difference between the two products.
Absorption
Creams are typically more easily absorbed into the skin than ointments.
This is because they have a thinner texture and contain less oil and wax.
Ointments, on the other hand, can be a bit more difficult to spread evenly on the skin and can take longer to be absorbed.
Production
Creams are generally made by combining an oil and a water-based solution.
Ointments, on the other hand, are made by combining an oil and wax base with an emulsifier.
This is why ointments tend to be thicker and more difficult to spread than creams.
The making of an ointment also typically takes longer than the making of a cream.
In the pharmaceutical industry, ointments are often called semi-solid dosage forms.
They are a type of dosage form that is intermediate between solid and liquid forms.
So, the production of ointments is more complex than the production of creams.
Cost
Creams are generally less expensive than ointments.
This is because ointments contain more oil and wax, which drives up the cost of production.
In cosmetics, ointments are often used to treat more severe skin conditions, whereas creams are generally used for everyday moisturizing.
So, the higher price point of ointments is justified by their higher level of effectiveness.
The typical price range for both creams and ointments is around $10 to $50 in the United States.
However, the cost of the product highly depends on the brand, quantity, and most importantly its use/purpose.
Shelf Life
Creams generally have a shorter shelf life than ointments.
This is because they are more easily contaminated and tend to spoil faster.
Ointments, on the other hand, have a longer shelf life because they are more resistant to contamination and less likely to spoil.
Ease of Use
Creams are generally more easily applied to the skin than ointments.
This is because they have a thinner texture and are more easily absorbed.
Ointments can be a bit more difficult to spread evenly on the skin and can take longer to be absorbed.
Skin Type
Creams are more suited for dry skin, while ointments are more suited for oily skin.
Ointments can be a bit too heavy for dry skin and can clog pores on oily skin.
Smell
Creams typically have a milder smell than ointments.
This is because they contain less oil and wax, which gives them a more subtle scent.
Ointments often have a stronger, more pungent smell due to their higher oil content.
Color
Creams are typically a light color, while ointments are often a darker color.
This is because cream contains more water and less oil than ointment.
Ointments contain more oil, which gives them a darker color.