Hair growth products are very popular, but it can be hard to know which ones actually work. With so many choices: medicines like finasteride and minoxidil, over-the-counter treatments, natural remedies, and supplements: it’s important to know which are backed by science and which are not. Some of these have been proven to help with hair loss, while others do not have strong evidence to support their claims. This guide will help you understand which products are worth trying and which ones might not help.

These are creams, ointments and lotions that contain steroids.  Topical steroids work by reducing inflammation in the skin.  They come in varying potencies (strengths). We will go through when you will use a steroid cream and its side effects.

Selenium sulfide is the active ingredient in Selsun shampoo. It is a medication that effectively treats itching, flaking, or skin scaling due to conditions such as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Selenium sulfide has antibacterial and mild antifungal properties. It also reduces irritation and slows down the production of skin cells and excess natural oil (sebum) on the scalp, which can cause dandruff.

Retinol (Vitamin A) is a fat-soluble vitamin that has an important role in several key functions in the human body. It helps your immune system function, helps your vision in dim light, and contributes to overall skin health. It is found in several foods, but can also be taken as a supplement. It is in the majority of multivitamins or can be taken as a tablet on its own.

Retinol, a form of Vitamin A, is a fat-soluble vitamin broken down to "retinoids". It is found in several foods and is essential for several vital functions, such as helping your body's immune system work properly, improving vision in dim light, keeping skin and other linings of the body healthy. It is found in tablet form in supplementation and is in the majority of multivitamins as well. It is also found in many skin care products, which boast effective acne reduction and anti-ageing properties. This is true and is supported by research!

There is a wide range of prescription eczema creams available. Here the Healthwords team will break them down into the different groups of medications that are available, and within those groups, the different types of medications.

Hydrocortisone cream is a short-term steroid cream used to treat different causes of skin inflammation. The cream can be used to treat eczema, heat rash, and insect bites, as well as many other inflammatory skin conditions. The strength of the products ranges up to 2.5%, although the maximum strength found over the counter is 1%. There are three main formulations of hydrocortisone: cream, ointment, and lotion.

Flexitol Heel Balm is a moisturizer used to prevent and treat dry and cracked skin on your feet. Various factors can lead to dry skin on your feet, including cold weather, medical conditions, nutrient deficiency (specifically potassium, fatty acids, and vitamins A, D, and E), wearing shoes that don’t fit, aging, and heredity. Flexitol Heel Balm is especially useful for people with diabetes. This is because people with diabetes must look after their feet carefully to avoid cuts or damage that can lead to infections. High blood sugar levels caused by poorly controlled diabetes can damage nerves in your feet (peripheral neuropathy), making them less able to feel pain, cold, and heat. As a result, foot problems can go unnoticed. People with diabetes are advised to carefully manage dry and cracked skin to stop complications, and Flexitol Heel Balm is one of the ways to help with this.

Eumovate is the brand name for clobetasone butyrate 0.05% cream, a short-term steroid cream used to treat different causes of skin inflammation. The cream can be used to treat eczema, heat rash, and insect bites, as well as many other inflammatory skin conditions. There is also an ointment (greasier) version of Eumovate. This formulation is not available in the US. Clobetasol propionate is a similar steroid cream that is available by prescription.

Emollients are moisturizing treatments applied directly to the skin to soothe and hydrate the skin. They cover the skin with a protective film to trap moisture and protect the skin. Emollients are often used to help manage dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. They are available as creams, ointments, lotions, gels and sprays. Some emollients can also be used as soap substitutes in the bath or shower.  All emollients are safe for babies, the elderly and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Topical formulations (applied to your skin) are categorized depending on the base type of the product and its characteristics. Creams, gels, solutions, lotions, and ointments can all be applied to the skin to treat certain conditions. Ointment describes a smooth and oily substance, making it greasy to put on, compared to creams, lotions, and gels, which have an increasingly higher water content, rather than oil. This makes ointment a doctor's favorite choice for eczema, as it moisturizes the skin and reduces inflammation, and an ointment can also carry other medications within it. Creams and lotions are often preferred by parents as they are less messy and absorb more quickly. But they are less moisturizing and often contain preservatives and antibacterials to protect against any bugs growing in their water content, and this may be irritating on sensitive eczema-prone skin. Here we will talk you through some of the ointments available for eczema.

The E45 line of skincare products has been formulated to treat dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin. It includes creams and lotions and comes in a variety of pack sizes. Like many other dry skin products, the main ingredients in E45 are soft white paraffin and light liquid paraffin. Regular use repairs dry skin, but depending on the severity, it might need to be used up to four times a day to see the best effect.