Topical Medication Comparison Chart

The active ingredient gets most of the attention, but the vehicle it's delivered in changes how a topical medication actually performs: how occlusive it is, how it feels on the skin, and which body sites and skin conditions it suits best. See our skin absorption article for the mechanism behind why vehicle matters this much.

Vehicle Comparison

Vehicle	Occlusivity	Best for	Notes
Ointment	High	Dry, thick, or lichenified skin; palms/soles	Greasy, poor cosmetic acceptability; least likely to sting on broken skin
Cream	Moderate	General use; intertriginous areas in a thinner cream	Contains preservatives/emulsifiers, occasional irritant or allergen source
Gel	Low	Scalp, hairy areas, acne-prone/oily skin	Can be drying or stinging on broken skin; fast-drying, non-greasy
Lotion	Low	Large body surface areas, hairy areas	Easy to spread thin; less occlusive than cream
Foam / Solution / Spray	Low	Scalp, large or hard-to-reach areas	High patient acceptability and adherence; often costs more

Topical Drug Class Comparison

Class	Primary use	Onset	Key counseling point
Corticosteroids	Inflammatory dermatoses	Days	Potency and duration limits; see our potency framework
Calcineurin inhibitors	Eczema, sensitive-area maintenance	Weeks	Steroid-sparing; transient burning on initial application is common
Retinoids	Acne, photoaging	Weeks to months	Start low and slow; see our retinoid counseling guide
Antifungals	Dermatophyte, candidal infections	1–2 weeks	Complete the full course even after symptoms resolve
Antibacterials	Impetigo, infected lesions	Days	Distinguish true infection from colonization where possible
Antivirals	Herpes simplex, cold sores	Hours to days	Most effective when started at first prodromal symptoms

This is an educational quick-reference chart and does not constitute medical or pharmaceutical advice. Product selection should always follow individualized clinical assessment and current prescribing information.