A lotion is a low- to medium-viscosity medicated or nonmedicated topical preparation, intended for application to unbroken skin.
Lotions
A
lotion is a low- to medium-viscosity medicated or nonmedicated topical
preparation, intended for application to unbroken skin. Lotions are usually
applied to external skin with bare hands, a clean cloth, cotton wool, or gauze.
Solid particles incorporated in lotions should be in a finely divided state to
avoid grittiness.
Most
lotions are o/w emulsions, but w/o lotions are also formulated. The key
components of a lotion are the aqueous and oily phases, an emulsifying agent to
prevent separation of these two phases, and, if used, the drug substance or
substances. A wide variety of other ingredients such as fragrances, glycerol,
petroleum jelly, dyes, preservatives, and stabilizing agents are commonly added
to lotions for improved organoleptic and preservation characteristics.
Lotions
can be used for the topical delivery of medications such as antibiotics,
antiseptics, antifungals, corticosteroids, antiacne agents, and
soothing/protective agents (such as calamine). Aside from medical use and skin
care, lotions are often used as accessories to aid massage, masturba-tion, or
sex. Noncomedogenic lotions, products that do not block the natu-ral pores of
the skin, are recommended for use on pimples or acne-prone skin. These lotions
are also termed as nonocclusive. Thus, they may reduce acne and/or reduce the
incidence of pimples.
The
same drug substance can be formulated into a lotion, cream, and ointment.
Creams are the most convenient of the three but are inappro-priate for
application to regions of hairy skin such as the scalp; whereas a lotion is
less viscous and may be readily applied to these areas. Many medicated shampoos
are, in fact, lotions. Lotions also have an advantage that they may be spread
thinly compared to a cream or ointment and may economically cover a larger area
of skin.
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