Cream

(in 2,901 products)

1. Emollient - Softens and soothes the skin. Helps with skin conditioning.

EMULSIFIER; THICKENING AGENT

A cream is a preparation usually for application to the skin. Creams are semi-solid emulsions 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 water 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.

Cream can be the provision of a barrier to protect the skin. This may be a physical barrier or a chemical barrier as with sunscreens. It can aid in the retention of moisture (especially water-in-oil creams), used in cleansing and as a vehicle for drug substances such as local anaesthetics, anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs or corticosteroids), hormones, antibiotics, antifungals or counter-irritants.