Both gels and creams are semisolid dosage forms that are for topical use, they can be medicinal or cosmetic. The major difference between a gel and cream is that the gels are normally oil-free, making their texture watery and soft, while creams are thick and hard, creating a long-lasting protective barrier on the skin.
Dosage forms are the means by which active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) are delivered to sites of action within the body. Generally, dosage forms are simply classified as solid, liquid, semi-solid, and gaseous dosage forms, based on the physical form, and based on the route of drug administration they are oral, parenteral (Injection), inhalation, sublingual, buccal, otic, and topical route of drug administration.
Some of the examples of dosage forms are tablets, powder, capsules, granules caplets, solution, suspension, syrup, liniments, lotions, gargles, throat paints, injections, aerosols, and sprays, etc.
| Table of Contents |
Topical preparations are used for local effects in place of their application depending on the penetration of the drug into the underlying layers of the skin or mucous membrane. Normally, a topical product is applied to the skin, where the drugs either treat the site of application or are absorbed into the bloodstream through the dermis.
Topical dosage forms for the pharmaceutical industry can be formulated ointments creams, gels (jellies), poultice, pastes, dusting powders, liniments, lotions, collodion, paints, and aerosol sprays, etc.
What is a Gel?
Gels (Jellies) are a semisolid system of one or more constituents with excipients, consisting of a condensed mass enclosing and interpenetrated by a liquid. Gels are mostly water-based products and they generally have a jelly appearance and are transparent. It is used in both beauty products and medications. The gel is absorbed by the skin more quickly than with other topical dosage forms.
What is a Cream?
Creams are semi-solid emulsions made up of oil and water that are used for both cosmetic and medication purposes. Water-in-oil (W / O) and oil-in-water (O / W) creams are two types of creams that are formulated that helps skin to moisturize, soften, and cleanse. Creams are thicker and take longer to be absorbed by the skin.
Difference between gel and cream:
- A gel is transparent and may come in different colors, whereas a cream is usually opaque (white to off-white).
- Gel moisturizers are water-based, whereas cream moisturizers are oil-based.
- Gels absorb easily and are typically lightweight, while creams take longer to absorb by the skin.
- The gel evaporates quickly due to its light texture and needs to frequently apply, whereas the cream has a thicker and heavy texture and does not need to be applied more often.
- The gel is more suitable for oily skin, while the cream is more suitable for dry skin.
- The gel is can be ideal for warm weather, while cream can ideal for cold weather.
- Gels are generally colorless and disappear when applied, while despite having color base creams are also not visible when applied.
- Gels are easier to prepare than creams, while creams are slightly more complex than gels.
The similarity between cream and gel:
The major similarity between cream and gel is that the creams and gels are water-based semisolid dosage forms intended for topical application. They are both suitable for oily skin, spread rapidly, and can be used to treating large areas.
Gel vs Cream
Commonly asked questions on cream and gel are as follows.
Which is better for dry skin gel or cream?
Generally, creams are suitable for dry skin since they have a thicker consistency compared to lotions and gels, and they take longer to penetrate into the skin.
Is gel thicker than cream?
Gels are usually oil-free and have high water content, while creams can contain a little more water content and have a thicker consistency.
You may also like this
No comments:
Post a Comment