From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
A lotion is a non-viscous
medicated topical preparation
intended for application to
unbroken
skin. Most lotions are
oil-in-water
emulsions but water-in-oil
lotions are also formulated. See
the article on
creams for an explanation of
these types of emulsion. Lotions
are to be applied without friction
(they are usually dabbed on with a
clean cloth, cotton wool or gauze)
and are not applied to
mucus membranes.
The key components are the
aqueous and oily phases, an
emulgent to prevent separation
of these two phases, and the
drug substance or substances.
A wide variety of other
ingredients such as
fragrances,
glycerol,
dyes,
preservatives,
vitamins,
proteins and stabilizing
agents are commonly added to
commercial lotions.
Lotions are used for the
delivery to the skin of
medications such as:
Aside from medical use and
usage in skin care, lotions are
often used as accessories to aid
massage or
masturbation, or accompany
sex.
It is not uncommon for the same
drug ingredient to be formulated
into a lotion,
cream and
ointment. Creams are the most
convenient and acceptable of the
three but are inappropriate for
application to regions of hairy
skin such as the scalp, while a
lotion is non-viscous and may be
readily applied to these areas
(many medicated
shampoos are in fact lotions).
Lotions also have an advantage in
that they may be spread thinly
compared to a cream or ointment
and may economically cover a large
area of skin. Non-comedogenic
lotions are recommended for use on
acne prone skin.
