These products are usually sold as ointments (some are listed as creams) and commonly appear in small travel sizes and standard sizes, with net weights shown as 0.5 ounces and 1 ounce.

Product instructions generally advise applying a small amount to the affected area one to three times daily.

They are described for first-aid use on minor cuts, scrapes, burns, and other minor wounds to help prevent infection and support healing.

Simplified formulas state they contain only three ingredients (for example, bacitracin zinc, polymyxin B sulfate, and petrolatum) and note they are preservative-, paraben-, and neomycin-free.

Some product descriptions include an explicit warning that the ointment is an eye irritant.