Topical emollients Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com

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# Topical emollients

Generic name: topical emollients [ TOP-i-kal-ee-MOL-i-ents ]
Brand names: AlphaSoft, Aquaphor, Aveeno, Baby Lotion, Baby Oil, ... show all 564 brands Bag Balm, Blistex Lip Balm, Carmex, CeraVe, Cetaphil Lotion, Chap Stick, Corn Huskers Lotion, Curel Moisture Lotion, Eucerin, Gold Bond Ultimate Healing, Keri Lotion, K-Y Jelly, Lubriderm, Mederma, Moisturel, Natural Ice, Neutrogena Lotion, Nivea, Nutraderm, Pacquin, Phisoderm, Pretty Feet & Hands, Replens, Soft Sense, St. Ives, Vaseline Intensive Care, Masse, Mammol, Formula 405 Lotion, Formula 405 Cream, Citraderm, Aloe Vesta Cream, Purpose Soap, Sayman Soap, Neutrogena Soap, Cetaphil Bar, Acne-Aid, Lowila, Complex-15, AcidMantle, DML Forte, DML Facial, Formula 405 Soap, Lubriderm Lotion, DML Moisture Lotion, Neutrogena Cream, Theraplex Lotion, Cetaphil Cream, Aquanil Lotion, Balneol, Ionax, Seba-Nil, Wibi Lotion, Kerodex-51, Kerodex-71, Tritles Lotion, Aquaderm, Dermasil Lotion, Vaseline Dermatology Formula, Uni Derm, Lubricating Lotion, Mother's Friend, Aqua Glycolic, Thames Lotion, Hydrocerin, 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OCEAN Ultra Moisturizing, Phisoderm Cleansing Bar, Phisoderm Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser, Eucerin Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, basis sensitive skin bar, basis vitamin bar, Aveeno Daily Moisturizing, Eletone, Dermadrox, Thera-P, Spectro Jel Skin Cleanser, RepHresh, Lubriderm Daily Moisturizer, Cavilon Durable Barrier, Restore Skin Conditioning Creme, Restore Cleanser and Moisturizer, Secura Two Step Kit, Cavilon Foot Emollient, Cavilon Emollient, Secura Dimethicone Protectant, Secura Extra Protective, Secura Mosturizing, Normlshield, Medicine Shoppe Natural Cold Sore Cream, Resurfix, Carrington Moisture Guard, Blistex Lip Revitalizer, Proshield Plus Skin Protectant, Amerigel Barrier, Orabase Soothe-N-Seal, Orabase Paste Plain, Pacquin Plus, Dr Scholl's Essentials Cracked Skin Repair, Triple Cream, BurnZone, DepthZone, ChafeZone, Sayman Salve, Aqua Glycolic Shampoo and Body Cleanser, Vagisil Intimate Lubricant, Dexeryl, Moisture Magic, Chap Stick All Natural, Dermagran GP, Ceta-Klenz, Restore Hydrogel, Aveeno Moisturizing Bar, Restore Moisture Barrier, Eucerin Plus, Tetrix Cream, Remedy 4-in-1 Cleansing Lotion, Hydrocerin Plus, Baby Oil Creamy, Remedy 4-in-1 Body Cleanser, Neosalus, EpiCeram Skin Barrier Emulsion, PruMyx, Normlgel, Plastibase 50W, Hylatopic Emollient, CarraKlenz, Hydrophylic GRX, Bodi Care, Bodi Line Almond Skin Cleanser, Bodi Line Antiseptic, Bodi Line Hair and Body Shampoo, Bodi Kleen Perineal Cleanser, Bodi Lotion, Bodi Whirl Bath, Geri-Lav Free, Promiseb, Impruv Deep Moisturizing, Impruv Natural Repair, Bodi Whirl Oil, Bodi Protect, DermaSoft with Aloe, SuperSoft, AmeriCerin, AmeriPhor, AmeriStore, GentleWash Body Wash / Shampoo, Soapreme, DermaFix, Chap Stick Fresh Effects, Chap Stick 100% Naturals, Dr. Smith's Rash-N-All, Gentle Cream, Geri-Soft, Bodi Bath 2-in-1 Hair and Body Wash, Nature's Wash Plus, PruVel, Balneol Cleansing, Zenieva, PeriScent Perineal Cleanser, Zenieva Cream and Cleanser, RadiaGel Hydrogel, CeraVe Facial Moisturizing, 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Emulsion, Levicyn, Levicyn Spray Gel, Levicyn Dermal Spray, ScarAway, Remedy Phytoplex Z-Guard, Sebuderm, Loyon, Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair, Cocoa Butter with Aloe and Vitamin E, Astroglide, Remedy Calazime, Dermaide Aloe, Carmex Daily Care Strawberry SPF 15, Carmex Daily Care Assorted Flavors, Carmex Comfort Care Berry SPF 15, Carmex Original, Carmex Original Jar, Carmex Original SPF 15, Iliderm Rx Skin, Gold Bond Ultimate Diabetics, Eucerin Eczema Relief, Atopaderm, Saratoga, Rex Eme, Chap Stick Total Hydration Natural Lip Scrub, Chap Stick Total Hydration Hello Bordeaux, Chap Stick Total Hydration Merlot, Chap Stick Total Hydration Pink Nude, Chap Stick Total Hydration Coconut, Chap Stick Total Hydration Soothing Vanilla, SoloSite Wound, Stratatriz, Stratamark, Stratagrt, Prosilk, Silicone Skin Lotion, Blu-Emu Super Strength, Keri Shea Butter, Blistex Deep Renewal, Udderly Smooth, CeraVe Baby Wash And Shampoo, Azadrox Rx Wound Gel, Hylaguard, Atopavo, Banana Boat Moisturizing After Sun, Aveeno Baby Wash And Shampoo, Aveeno Nourishing Body Wash, Johnson's Head To Toe, Aveeno Stress Relief Moisturizing lotion, Johnson's Baby, Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Yogurt, Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming, CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Monistat Care, Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy, Aveeno Calm and Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Sulfate Free Body Wash, Dermacloud, Gold Bond Diabetics, Gold Bond Healing, Gold Bond Therapeutic Foot, Gold Bond Eczema Relief, Cerave Moisturising, Cerave Moisturizing, Lubriderm Advanced Therapy, Aquaphor Baby Wash And Shampoo, Eucerin Skin Calming, Eucerin Hydrating Cleansing With Hyaluronic Acid, Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle, Eucerin Daily Hydration, Eucerin Advanced Repair, Cetaphil Advanced Relief With Shea Butter, Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, Vagisil Odor Block, Vagisil pH Balance, Neutrogena Sun Rescue, Goicoechea DiabetTX, Johnson's Head-To-Toe Wash And Shampoo, Nivea Lip Care, Nivea Body Wash, Nivea Shimmer Lip Care, Nivea Men Maximum Hydration Body Wash, Nivea Moisture Lip Care, Nivea Men Body Wash, Nivea Soft, Nivea Men Rock Salts Body Wash, Nivea Breathable Body Lotion, Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash, Ivory Body Wash, Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing, Ivory Original Body Wash, Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair, Vaseline Men Extra Strength, Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe, Suave Cocoa Butter with Shea, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E, Johnson's Aloe and Vitamin E, Baby Dove Body Wash, Eucerin Intensive Repair, Eucerin Roughness Relief, Baby Dove Body Wash Fragrance Free, Dove Baby Sensitive Moisture, Nivea Essentially Enriched, Nivea Shea Daily Moisture, Nivea In Shower, Via, Aveeno Stress Relief Body Wash, Jergens Natural Glow
Dosage forms: topical cream (-); topical emulsion (-); topical foam (-); topical gel (-); topical kit (-); topical liquid (-); topical lotion (-); topical oil (-); topical ointment (-); topical pad (-); topical paste (-); topical soap (-); topical spray (-); topical stick (-)
Drug class: Topical emollients

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Nov 30, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

## Related/similar drugs

dimethicone topical, ammonium lactate topical, urea topical, Osphena, AmLactin, ospemifene

## What are topical emollients?

Emollients are substances that moisten and soften your skin.

Topical (for the skin) emollients are used to treat or prevent dry skin. Topical emollients are sometimes contained in products that also treat acne, chapped lips, diaper rash, cold sores, or other minor skin irritation.

There are many brands and forms of topical emollients available and not all are listed on this leaflet.

Topical emollients may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

## Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

## Before taking this medicine

You should not use a topical emollient if you are allergic to it. Topical emollients will not treat or prevent a skin infection.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use topical emollients if you have:

- deep wounds or open sores;

- swelling, warmth, redness, oozing, or bleeding;

- large areas of skin irritation;

- any type of allergy; or

- if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

## How should I use topical emollients?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Clean the skin where you will apply the topical emollient. It may help to apply this product when your skin is wet or damp. Follow directions on the product label.

Shake the product container if recommended on the label.

Apply a small amount of topical emollient to the affected area and rub in gently.

If you are using a stick, pad, or soap form of topical emollient, follow directions for use on the product label.

Do not use this product over large area of skin. Do not apply a topical emollient to a deep puncture wound or severe burn without medical advice.

If your skin appears white or gray and feels soggy, you may be applying too much topical emollient or using it too often.

Some forms of topical emollient may be flammable and should not be used near high heat or open flame, or applied while you are smoking.

Store as directed away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle, tube, or other container tightly closed when not in use.

## What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this product is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Seek medical advice if your condition does not improve after using a topical emollient.

## What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

## What should I avoid while taking topical emollients?

Avoid getting topical emollients in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If this does happen, rinse with water.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Some topical emollients can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight or UV rays.

## Topical emollients side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using the topical emollient and call your doctor if you have severe burning, stinging, redness, or irritation where the product was applied.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Emollients topical side effects (more detail)

## What other drugs will affect topical emollients?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied emollients. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

## Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

## More about emollients topical

- Reviews (476)
- Side effects
- Drug class: topical emollients
- En español

### Patient resources

- Patient Information
- Emollient Foam
- Emollient Foam and Wound Dressing Gel Kit

#### Other brands

Biafine, EpiCeram, DermaPhor, Promiseb, ... +17 more

### Related treatment guides

- Dry Skin
- Vaginal Dryness

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.02.