Commonly Used Emollient Brand Names
Topical emollients are available in multiple formulations including lotions, creams, gels, ointments, and soap substitutes, with specific brand names recommended based on skin condition and patient preference.
Emollient Categories and Brand Names
Lotions
Lotions are lighter formulations suitable for less severe dryness and larger body surface areas 1:
- Eucerin® Intensive Lotion (10% urea) 1
- E45 Lotion® 1
- Dermol® 500 Lotion (contains benzalkonium chloride 0.1% and chlorhexidine 0.1%; can also be used as soap substitute) 1
- Aveeno® Lotion 1
- Vaseline Dermacare® 1
Creams and Gels
Creams are water-based and suitable for weeping or less dry skin 1:
- Balneum Plus® (5% urea, lauromacrogols 3%) 1
- Unguentum M® 1
- Doublebase® Gel 1
- Dermol® 500 Cream (contains benzalkonium chloride 0.1% and chlorhexidine 0.1%) 1
- Epaderm® Cream 1
- Diprobase® Cream 1
- Hydromol® Cream 1
Ointments
Ointments are more effective for dry, irritable skin due to their hydrating effect and improvement of the skin's lipid barrier 1:
- 50% White Soft Paraffin/Liquid Paraffin 1
- White Soft Paraffin 1
- Emulsifying Ointment 1
- Yellow Soft Paraffin 1
- Diprobase® Ointment 1
- Cetaben® 1
- Hydromol® Ointment 1
Soap Substitutes
Aqueous emollients and soap substitutes are less dehydrating than normal soaps 1:
- Balneum Plus® Bath Oil 1
- Aqueous Cream 1
- Doublebase® Emollient Shower Gel 1
- Doublebase® Bath Additive 1
- Oilatum® Shower Gel 1
- Hydrous Ointment 1
- Oilatum® Bath 1
- Hydromol® Oil 1
Generic Equivalents
The most commonly used generic emollients include 1, 2:
- Petroleum Jelly (Petrolatum) - the most frequently used topical emollient (53.1% of dermatologic surgeons use it immediately postoperatively, 69.4% recommend for home use) 2
- White Soft Paraffin 1
- Liquid Paraffin 1
- Emulsifying Ointment 1
Important Clinical Considerations
Ointments are generally more effective than water-based creams for dry, irritable conditions because they improve the skin's lipid barrier, whereas water-based creams can paradoxically further dry the skin 1. Very greasy emollients may increase the risk of folliculitis 1.
Usage recommendations suggest 200-400 g (or mL for lotions) per week at twice-daily dosing 1. For specific body areas, recommended amounts per 2 weeks include: face and neck (15-30 g), both hands (15-30 g), both legs (100 g), and trunk (100 g) 1.
A critical caveat: many emollients contain known contact allergens, and there is a trend toward minimizing exposure to common allergens like neomycin (92.8% of surgeons request it not be used), polymyxin (44.3%), and bacitracin (44.3%) 2. Petroleum jelly and similar bland emollients have lower allergenic potential 2.