Cream and Ointment are semisolid dosage forms intended for topical application only. The main difference between Cream and Ointment is regarding base or percentage of base used. Cream and Ointment both are effective at treating various skin problems as an anti-inflammatory, antibiotics, antifungal, and protective agents. Difference between Ointment, Cream, Paste, Gel, Lotion, and jelly.
Cream and ointment of the same API are available, now which one is better?
Sometimes the same ingredient formulated as both ointment and cream. In that case which one is recommended by a doctor for you or which one is suitable for your body skin? It depends on your skin type either dry or moist, amount of surface area of the skin need to apply, and desired duration of action. For example, if you need to cover the large skin surface area and the duration of action is no issue, in this case, cream is better for you. But if you need to cover the small skin surface area and prolong the duration of action require, in this case, an ointment is better for you.
Although Cream and Ointment both are semisolid dosage form they have many differences. The difference between Cream and Ointment are discussed point by point. Let’s have a look at the difference between Cream and Ointment:
Table of Contents
1. Definition of Cream and Ointment
Creams are opaque, viscous, relatively soft, consistently spreadable, semisolid dosage form that often comprise more than 20% water & volatiles and normally less than 50% hydrocarbons, waxes, or polyols as the vehicle for the drug substance, intended for external application.
On the other hand, Ointments are semisolid dosage forms that comprise less than 20% water & volatiles, and more than 50% hydrocarbons, waxes, or polyols as the vehicle, intended for external application.
2. Appearance
Generally, creams are white to off-white color but may have different colors such as yellow (Nystatin Cream USP). While ointments are usually translucent but may have various colors like light yellow, yellow (Cipladine ointment) and black (Ichthammol ointment) etc.
3. Nature of Formulation
Generally, the cream is a water-based semisolid preparation whereas an Ointment is an oil-based semisolid preparation.
4. Constituents
The cream contains more than 20% water and volatiles and normally less than 50% hydrocarbons, waxes, or polyols as the vehicle for the drug substance [1].
On the other hand, ointment contains less than 20% water and volatiles, and more than 50% hydrocarbons, waxes, or polyols as the vehicle [1].
5. Viscosity
Generally, Creams are thin. While ointments are thick.
6. Spreadability
Pharmaceutical cream may be easily spreadable than the ointment. When a large surface area of the body needs to apply medication, creams are better as they are easy to spread.
On the other hand, Pharmaceutical ointments may be less spreadable on the skin than cream and make an occlusive layer on the skin. Also, the spreading of ointments on moist skin surfaces may be tough due to the hydrophobic nature of most ointments.
7. Greasiness
Generally, Creams are non-greasy or less greasy than ointment. While ointments are greasy than cream.
8. Absorption
Creams are absorbed faster via the skin than ointments. While ointments are absorbed slower through the skin than creams.
9. Onset of action
The onset of action of cream is faster than the ointment. While the onset of action of ointment is slower than cream.
10. Duration of action
Cream stays for a lesser time thus the duration of action is short. On the other hand, an ointment stays longer on the skin, so the duration of action is longer than cream.
11. Shelf-life
If an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) is prone to hydrolysis which may lead to degradation of that drug in cream and hence cream have shortened shelf-life. On the other hand, by using a hydrophobic ointment base this problem may be avoided in the ointment. Also, the ointment has less than 20% water. An ointment has a longer shelf-life usually. For example, Hydrocortisone is formulated as both ointment and cream. But shelf-life of Hydrocortisone ointment is greater than in an oil in water cream.
12. Stains on clothing
There is no chance of staining cloth by using creams. Whereas Ointments can leave stains on clothing.
13. Wash off
Creams are non-greasy thus more easily washed off using water whereas ointments are not easily washed off.
14. Example of cream vs ointment
Cream: Betamethasone Valerate Cream, Zinc Acetate 0.2% cream, and Econazole Nitrate cream etc.
Ointment: Hydrocortisone Ointment, Bacitracin Ointment, and Lidocaine Ointment etc.
Summary of the difference between Cream and Ointment
| Features | Cream | Ointment |
| Definition | Creams are opaque, viscous, relatively soft, consistently spreadable, semisolid dosage forms that often comprise more than 20% water and volatiles and normally less than 50% hydrocarbons, waxes, or polyols as the vehicle for the drug substance, intended for external application. | Ointments are semisolid dosage forms that comprise less than 20% water and volatiles, and more than 50% hydrocarbons, waxes, or polyols as the vehicle intended for external application. |
| Appearance | Usually white to off-white | Usually translucent |
| Nature of Formulation | Water-based semisolid preparation. | Oil-based semisolid preparation. |
| Constituents | More than 20% water and volatiles and normally less than 50% hydrocarbons, waxes, or polyols as the vehicle. | Less than 20% water and volatiles, and more than 50% hydrocarbons, waxes, or polyols as the vehicle. |
| Viscosity | Thin | Thick |
| Spreadability | Easily spreadable. | Less easily spreadable. |
| Greasiness | Non-greasy or less greasy | Greasy |
| Absorption | Faster | Slower |
| Onset of action | Quick | Slow |
| Duration of action | Short | Prolong |
| Shelf-life | Shortened | Longer |
| Stains on clothing | No chance | Have a chance |
| Wash off | Easier | Less easy |
| Example | Betamethasone Valerate Cream, Zinc Acetate 0.2% cream, and Econazole Nitrate cream etc. | Hydrocortisone Ointment, Bacitracin Ointment, and Lidocaine Ointment etc. |
Also, you may read:
- Difference between Ointment, Cream, Paste, Gel, Lotion, and jelly
- Dose, Dosage, Dosage Form, Dosage Regimen
- Prebiotics, Probiotics, Synbiotics, Psychobiotics
- Vitamin, Pro-vitamin, Anti-vitamin
- Enzyme, Co-enzyme, Apoenzyme, Holoenzyme, and Co-factor
References
- The United States pharmacopeia (2020). The National formulary. Rockville, Md.: United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc.,
- Lachman, L., & Liebermann, H. A. (2013). The Theory and practice of industrial pharmacy. Washington Square, Philadelphia USA: Lea & Febiger.
