at the Banff Centre]] Lotion is a low-viscosity topical preparation intended for application to the Human skin. By contrast, creams and gels have higher viscosity, typically due to lower water content.
While a lotion may be used as a medicine delivery system, many lotions, especially hand lotions and body lotions and lotion for Allergy are meant instead to simply smooth, moisturize, soften and, sometimes, perfume the skin.
Medicine delivery
Dermatologists can prescribe lotions to treat or prevent skin diseases.
It is not unusual for the same drug ingredient to be formulated into a lotion, cream and
ointment. Creams are the most convenient of the three but inappropriate for application to regions of hairy skin such as the scalp, while a lotion is less viscous and may be readily applied to these areas (many medicated
shampoos are in fact lotions). Historically, lotions also had an advantage in that they may be spread thinly compared to a cream or ointment and may economically cover a large area of skin, but product research has steadily eroded this distinction.
Acne cosmetica lotions are recommended to put on acne prone skin.
Lotions can be used for the delivery to the skin of medications such as:
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Antifungals
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Anti-Acne vulgaris agents
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Soothing, smoothing, moisturizing or protective agents (such as calamine)
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Anti Allergens
Occupational use
Since health care workers must wash their hands frequently to prevent disease transmission, hospital-grade lotion is recommended to prevent skin
dermatitis caused by frequent exposure to cleaning agents in the soap.
A 2006 study found that application of hospital-grade lotion after hand washing significantly reduced skin roughness and dryness.
Care must be taken not to use consumer lotions in a hospital environment, as the and may be a danger to those who are immunodeficient or with allergies.
Cosmetic uses
Most cosmetic lotions are
Moisturizer, although other forms, such as
tanning lotion, also exist.
Cosmetic lotions may be marketed as anti-aging lotions, which can also be classified as a cosmetic in many cases, and may contain fragrances. The Food and Drug Administration voiced concern about lotions not classified as drugs that advertise anti-aging or anti-wrinkle properties.
Production
Most lotions are oil-in-water
using a substance such as
cetearyl alcohol to keep the emulsion together, but water-in-oil lotions are also formulated. The key components of a skin care lotion, cream or gel emulsion (that is mixtures of oil and water) are the
aqueous solution and oily phases, an emulsifier to prevent separation of these two phases, and, if used, the
medication substance or substances. Various other ingredients such as
,
glycerin,
petroleum jelly,
,
,
and stabilizing agents are commonly added to lotions.
Manufacturing lotions and creams can be completed in two cycles:
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Emollients and lubricants are dispersed in oil with blending and thickening agents.
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Perfume, color and preservatives are dispersed in the water cycle. Active ingredients are broken up in both cycles depending on the raw materials involved and the desired properties of the lotion or cream.
A typical oil-in-water manufacturing process may be:
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Step 1: Add flake/powder ingredients to the oil being used to prepare the oil phase.
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Step 2: Disperse active ingredients.
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Step 3: Prepare the water phase containing emulsifiers and stabilizers.
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Step 4: Mix the oil and water to form an emulsion. (Note: This is aided by heating to between 110 and 185 F (45-85 C) depending on the formulation and viscosity desired.)
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Step 5: Continue mixing until the end product is 'completed'
Potential health risks
Acne
Depending on their composition, lotions can be comedogenic, meaning that they can result in the increased formation of
(clogged hair follicles).
People who are prone to
acne or forming comedones often prefer lotions that are designed to be non-comedogenic (not causing outbreaks).
Systemic absorption
All topical products, including lotions, can result in the percutaneous (through the skin) absorption of their ingredients. Though this has some use as a route of drug administration, it more commonly results in unintended
. For example, medicated lotions such as
diprolene are often used with the intention of exerting only local effects, but absorption of the drug through the skin can occur to a small degree, resulting in systemic side effects such as
hyperglycemia and
glycosuria.
Absorption through the skin is increased when lotions are applied and then covered with an occlusive layer, when they are applied to large areas of the body, or when they are applied to damaged or broken skin.
Allergens
Lotions containing some aromas or food additives may trigger an immune reaction or even cause users to develop new allergies.
There is currently no regulation over use of the term "hypoallergenic", and even pediatric skin products with the label were found to still contain allergens.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology released a warning in 2014 that natural lotion containing ingredients commonly found in food (such as goats milk, cow's milk, coconut milk, or oil) may introduce new allergies, and an allergic reaction when those foods are later consumed.
See also
External links
