An ointment is a thick, greasy medicine that you rub onto your skin to help heal cuts, soothe rashes, or treat other skin problems. Unlike a lotion, which absorbs quickly and feels light, an ointment sits on your skin like a protective layer. Think of how butter coats a piece of toast: that's similar to how an ointment coats your skin.

You might use an antibiotic ointment on a scraped knee to prevent infection, or your doctor might prescribe an ointment for eczema or a bad sunburn. The thick, oily texture helps lock in moisture and creates a barrier that protects the affected area while it heals. Some ointments contain medicine, while others simply moisturize and protect.

People have been making ointments for thousands of years, mixing ingredients like beeswax, plant oils, and healing herbs to create salves for wounds and skin troubles, long before modern medicine existed.