5. Creams (emulsions)

5.1 Definition

According to the Pharmacopoeia definition, creams are semi-solid preparations for cutaneous application with a homogeneous appearance, typically composed of a lipophilic phase and an aqueous phase, the former finely dispersed in the latter. They are packaged in single-dose or multi-dose containers. From a physicochemical point of view, they are dispersions composed of a lipophilic phase and an aqueous phase, immiscible and generally stabilized by emulsifiers. From a galenic point of view, a distinction is made between :

• lipophilic creams, which are W/O emulsions in which the outer phase is lipophilic. These preparations generally contain emulsifying agents that stabilize water-in-oil emulsions, such as wool fat alcohols,...