Cream is a viscous semisolid emulsion used for external application to protect, cleanse, or treat skin conditions. There are two main types - water-in-oil creams which prevent moisture evaporation and oil-in-water creams which have a cooling effect. Creams are prepared using a fusion or incorporation method and contain medicinal agents dissolved or dispersed in an oil or water base. They are packaged in air-tight containers like jars or tubes and stored in cool places to maintain stability for their 3-4 week shelf life.

1. Creams
Name: Shaban Nazir Qadri
Roll no: 40

2. Learning Objectives
• What is cream and its pharmaceutical application
• Classification and method of preparation
• Packaging , labeling and storage

3. Definition
 pharmaceutical creams are the viscous ,semisolid emulsified preparations
containing medicinal agent dissolved or dispersed in either an oil in water or water in
oil emulsion or in another type of water washable base for external application.
Classification of cream on the basis of function:
• cleansing and cold cream
• Foundation and vanishing cream
• Night and massage cream
• Head and body cream
• All purpose and general cream

4. Types of cream on the basis of phase
Water in oil (W/O)
• Its is a mixture in which an oily medicine is dispersed in water or other liquid
• these are used to prevent evaporation of moisture from the surface of the skin
• Example butter cream ,cold cream
Oil in water (O/W)
• It is a mixture in which an oily medicine is dispersed in water or other liquid
• These provide cooling effect on evaporation
• Example vanishing cream

5. Bases used for creams
• Oleaginous bases
• Absorption bases
• Water removable bases
• Water soluble bases

6. Preparation method of creams
• The basic method of preparation of creams
• fusion method.
• Incorporation method
Fusion method:
1. warm both the oil and the liquid phase to about 60 ℃
2. mix the both phases
3. stir until cold
Incorporation method:
• Is used when a drug is to be added to an already prepared ointment or cream
system when the vehicle is heat liable

7. Pharmaceutical application of creams
• The provision of barrier to protect the skin
• To aid in the retention of moisture(especially water in oil creams )
• Cleansing
• Emollient effects
• As a vehicle for drug substances such as local anesthetic ,anti-inflamatory
(NSAIDS and Corticosteroids), hormones ,antibiotics ,antifungal or counter
irritants.

8. Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
• have smooth consistency
• Less greasy and easy to apl
• No visible evidence of its presence.
• Have soothing action on inflamed
area
• Have better contact with skin.
• More stable than emulsion
Disadvantages
• Burning
• Irritation
• Stinging
• Acne
• Dryness
• Unusual hair growth

9. Packaging and Containers
• Containers that mostly used are
• Wide mouth jars
• Collapsible metals
• Flexible plastic tubes
• Aluminum tubes
All products should be in air tight containers to prevent water loss and gain
Aluminum tubes should be used when a product has a ph less then 6.5

10. Filling
Filling is done by two methods
• Hand filling
• Mechanical filling
Storage
• Creams must be stored in a cool place to protect against product separation in heat
Labeling:
• Labeling instruction include “ for external use only”
Shelf life :
An expiry date of 3-4 weeks is a appropriate for creams that are freshly prepared