Before homogenizing ointments, you need to treat each of the product’s main components separately, in specialized vessels. The process begins at the water phase. In it, you dissolve the water-soluble components in demineralized water in a vessel that is proper for it. Next up is the oil phase, involving the mixing of the wax and oil components in a wax phase vessel. Motor-driven agitators heat and mix the containers, then a vacuum system filters and moves them through pipes to the ointment manufacturing vessel. At this stage, you introduce homogenizers and emulsifiers, to ensure that the mixing of the components (including the drug ones)  is as uniformly as possible.

Protective ointments are required to neither penetrate the skin nor facilitate the absorption of substances through the skin. These are regarded as cosmetics. Antiseptic ointments, on the other hand, need to be able to penetrate the skin and are regarded as pharmaceuticals. In general, while the FDA provides regulations for the manufacturing and sale of cosmetic products, you do not require a license before you set up a cosmetic production business. Also, the FDA typically does not need to approve cosmetic products before they go on sale. On the flip side, if your product is a pharmaceutical one, you need to get approval to both start-up and sell the product.