What is the difference between cream, ointment and lotion?

Topical medications and over-the-counter products can be formulated in different ways. You have probably seen the words cream, lotion and ointment, and never gave a thought as to what might be the difference among them. These terms are actually defined differently and can make a difference when you apply the medication to your skin.

Creams are a semi-solid emulsion, half oil and half water. This formulation is typically the easiest to use and is preferable by most patients. They spread easily, absorb quickly and wash off with water. They have a medium viscosity or heaviness, and are reasonably hydrating without feeling too heavy on your skin. Creams are always packaged in a tub or a tube; they are too thick to be dispensed in a pump. Creams are also more beneficial in darker skin, which in general is more easily irritated than lighter skin.

Lotions are thinner than creams, and are often packaged in a pump. They absorb very quickly and feel very light on the skin. They are easier to distribute on hairy areas. Most over-the-counter body moisturizers are lotions.

Ointments are 80% oil and 20% water. These products feel greasy, do not absorb well and are generally not easy to use on large areas. They are ‘occlusive,’ which means they trap moisture and heat in very well. Ointments promote medication absorption over all other formulations. If an ingredient is in an ointment, it is always more potent than the exact same ingredient packaged in a cream or lotion. Gels are emulsions that contain oil-in-water. They usually have an alcohol base. They dry into a thin, greaseless, nonstaining film.  Like lotions and foams, they are ideal for spreading on hairy areas and large areas.

VII. Match the synonyms with the vocabulary from the text:

over-the-counter	popular
topical	maybe
formulated	simplest
easiest	described
probably	majority
most	rationally
reasonably	in common
generally	without prescription

VIII. Translate the sentences:

1. If I were you, I would use lotions for my skin.

2. If I had more time, I would invent new anti-aging ointment.

3. If you knew him better, you wouldn’t agree to test his new anti-acne cream.

4. If you had been there, you would be aware of newly developed gels and emulsions.

5. If I were you, I would have tested that emulsion made of roses and oil.

VIII.

__________________________________________________________

Topic: Preparation of ointments

__________________________________________________________

I. Practice the pronunciation of the following words and word combinations. Translate them:

1. aqueous adj. [ˈeɪkwɪəs]

2. to adhere v. [ədˈhɪə]

3. beaker n. [ˈbiːkə]

4. tile n. [tile]

5. pad n. [pad]

6. to excess v. [ɪkˈsɛs]

7. hotplate n. [ˈhɒtpleɪt]

8. to liquefy v. [ˈlɪkwɪfʌɪ]

9. evaporation n. [ɪˌvapəˈreɪʃ(ə)n]

10. premature adj. [ˈprɛmətʃə]

11. solidifyv. [səˈlɪdɪfʌɪ]

12. to expose v. [ɪkˈspəʊz]

13. to enhance v. [ɪnˈhɑːns]

14. cool adj. [kuːl]

15. to add v. [ad]