What is difference between cream&ointment?

The answers about creams being more water-soluble and ointments being more oil-based are correct to a degree, but it's not as simple as that. Actually the difference between creams, ointments, lotions, gels, etc. is based more on the ratio of products because they contain similar ingredients in different amounts. Ointments today rarely contain lanolin (woolfat) because many people are allergic to wool. Ointments and creams have a long history, see 1st link.





Rick the Pharmacist





Science follows: Creams are semi-solid emulsions, that is mixtures of oil and water. They are divided into two types: oil-in-water (O/W) creams which are composed of small droplets of oil dispersed in a continuous aqueous phase, and water-in-oil (W/O) creams which are composed of small droplets of water dispersed in a continuous oily phase. Oil-in-water creams are more comfortable and cosmetically acceptable as they are less greasy and more easily washed off using water. Water-in-oil creams are more difficult to handle but many drugs which are incorporated into creams are hydrophobic and will be released more readily from a water-in-oil cream than an oil-in-water cream. Water-in-oil creams are also more moisturising as they provide an oily barrier which reduces water loss from the stratum corneum, the outmost layer of the skin. An ointment is a viscous semisolid preparation used topically on a variety of body surfaces. These include the skin and the mucus membranes of the eye (an eye ointment), vagina, anus, glans and nose. An ointment and creams are used cosmeticall as well as medically and may or may not be medicated.What is difference between cream%26amp;ointment?
ointment is medicine,cream is moisturiserWhat is difference between cream%26amp;ointment?
cream is water based. ointment is oil/fat based (usually wool fat a.k.a lanolin) so it is greasier, and tends to sit on the skin longer. both do the same thing but some prefer one texture over another.
Cream is water based and ointment is oil based.


Cream can easily wash off from water but ointment can't it stays longer.
friend,





Both terms are normal used in the same sense.


Cream appears to be thick,semi oily(or semi liquid) and has some colour white normally.And in cosmetics we use creams much, and in medicines not that much.


but ointment is either menthol based 9 as it is a medicine carrier ) and oily mostly.It is used medicinally most times.


If you want the meaning of the terms the cream has so many and the common one for both is as below,from dictionary;





CREAM OR OINTMENT = Toiletry consisting of any of various substances in the form of a thick liquid that have a soothing and moisturising effect when applied to the skin


and have some medicinal effects also.
I think you apply a cream and you rub an ointment :(
As a rule, base of an ointment is some suitable oil, it stays on the skin, and feels oily.





Example:





Ponds makes ';Cold Cream';, one of them is call cold cream, this is actually is and ointment, oil base, it is used at night at bed time.





Ponds also makes ';Vanishing Cold Cream';, this is applied during the day time it is disappears but still stay effective, probably alcohol base, or some suitable base that vanishes.





Cream may not be vanishing kind, but uses cream instead of oil,it may be water base or some other liquids or combination of liquids, or jell, but not definitely any oil, but not oily looking or oily to touch.
Creams generally are for minor things like scrapes, abrasions,and things like that and do not contain any real medication, where ointments do contain medications in them for promoting healing of again usually minor things.
creams mostly applied for outlook.Oinment for healing wound.
ones in a tube the other in a jar=they can be different strengths!!!